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Date:         Wed, 16 Sep 1998 21:58:24 -0400
Reply-To:     David Bogle / Architecture <bogle@BWAY.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <Vanagon@vanagon.com>
From:         David Bogle / Architecture <bogle@BWAY.NET>
Subject:      Re: Interior Stuff
Comments: To: Michael Townsend <townsend@RTP.ERICSSON.SE>, vanagon@vanagon.com
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii

Michael Townsend wrote:

> Do any of y'all have any ideas on the best place to find: > > !: Adjustable armrest for driver and front passenger, the right side on > each seat, grey.

I just repaired an adjustable armrest in my newly acquired '87.

If you still have the parts it may be possible. As purchased it was dangling on one bolt and the adjusting rod was unscrewed from the innards. Two bolts are required to hold the bracket in place on the seatback, and I found it impossible to remove the split pin with it only attached at one bolt. The split pin holds together the bracket mounted to the seatback and the rotating hub on the arm. I cut off an allen wrench such that it would fit between the arm and the bolt to remove the whole assembly from the seatback. Don't waste time peeling back the upholstery looking for a nut on the outside of the arm, it's not there.

Once the arm is removed, however, take off the black plastic piece above the adjusting knob and the fabric covering. You will find a single moulded piece of closed cell foam encasing the wooden arm and a plastic housing for the adjuster mechanism. I carefully cut the foam along one side at the juncture of the plastic and wood. With a scalpel I skinned the foam away from the plastic box, one side and the bottom. I chose not to remove the plastic box from the wooden arm since it is studded or nailed in in six recessed points. Prying the box would only have broken it, I feared. Instead, by drilling a hole in the side of the box toward the rear and just below the holding slot for the nut, I was able to place the big nut that the adjusting rod screws through back into it's slip, tape it there and reupholster the arm before screwing the adjusting rod back into place.

A wire spring was not able to be replaced over the adjusting rod unless I could have removed the box from the wooden arm, so I kept it as a souvenir.

I hope this helps someone. I have some extra bolts since I only could find a box of 25. They are not the countersunk, original type. The VW dealer could only find one with different threads in his bin. In fact, the _adjustable_ armrest was not on his microfilm or CDROM. Is this a Westfalia part? -- David Bogle

'72 Campmobile 2.0L '87 Vanagon GL Syncro Westfalia


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