Installing a factory armrest (long) - Saab 9000 Bulletin Board - Saabnet.com
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Today I finally got around to installing a used factory armrest that I picked up at a Saab meet some time ago. The color doesn't quite match the interior, but I installed it on my daily driver '97 CSE - a rusty, high-mileage car so I wasn't too concerned with cosmetics.
It should probably be noted that the 9000 factory armrest is, to be kind, not the best-designed thing in the world. It interferes with the center console lid and cup holders, even the handbrake to an extent. Still it's something I've missed having when driving for long periods of time. I always leave the center console open anyway (haven't closed it since buying the car in 2011) so I made the executive decision to just leave it open. With the arm rest in place in either up or down position you can't otherwise have the lid open all the way.
I basically followed the instructions found by searching "install armrest" on the board. It's a pretty straightforward job but I didn't find any pictures. I find it hard sometimes to visualize what's going on from a written description so I took some photos which may help someone else who wants to do this.
Aside from the armrest itself you need 4 captive nuts with bolts to fit. I used the following from Eeuroparts and took one to the hardware store to match up appropriate bolts: https://www.eeuroparts.com/Parts/64747/Body-Nut-7975006
First order of business is to run both front seats forward as far as they will go. I did this and then did a quick test fit. It looked like the armrest would just barely clear a couple of 500ml water bottles in the cupholders as well as the handbrake (not visible in photo). You'd have to flip the armrest up to gain access to cupholders which is a little inconvenient but not too big a deal:
Next step is to cut carpet and insulation away to expose the holes where the captive nuts go. I've heard of some people being lucky and finding those already in place, but no such luck here...
There will be more carpet cutting needed later to fit the bracket. Since this car is basically a beater, I erred on the side of cutting to make plenty of room to work. Access is tight down there as it is. On a nice 9000 you'd probably want to cut as little as possible.
One of the mysteries was how to install the captive nuts. It seemed no matter what I did they just wouldn't fit and I was beginning to wonder if the ones I got were the right ones. (Eeuroparts says they don't fit the 9000.) However, the essential clue came from a previous Saabnet post which said to tip the captive nut into the hole and then rotate it into place. I found this hard to grok until actually trying it. I tipped the part in, with the spring clips positioned on the topmost end (photos shows one already installed)...
...then used a screwdriver to click it into place:
Some recommended putting a thread through the captive nut in case it falls inside the hole. I didn't bother because I'd bought a couple of extras. I managed to get 4 in place without losing them.
Now more carpet and padding needs to be cut on each side for the armrest frame to fit, following the curvature of the bracket. Once again I probably cut more than what was really needed. In this photo the bolts have been test-fitted, later washers will be added:
Move the seats back into position and we can see the finished product! As expected, it just barely clears the water bottles and handbrake. Color is off but with nearly 350,000 miles of wear on the driver's seat and interior that's not too much of a concern. All that's left now is to secure the cut carpet with some double-stick tape or glue and enjoy being able to rest my right arm!
About the only other issue is it is not possible to fold down the larger section of the rear seat with the console lid permanently open, since that interferes with the seat bottom. (The small section behind the driver can still fold.) Not a problem for me, though my preference really would be to just remove that console lid. Unless I'm missing something though looks like it would be a real mess doing that.
->Posting last edited on Fri, 6 Sep 2019 15:31:13.
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(#666) [Profile/Gallery]
(more from JerseySaab) on Thu, 5 Sep 2019 13:18:59
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