Center Armrest Padding

[rogbmw]

We have an 03 Pilot that only has 60K miles on it. The leather is in excellent condition, but the padding under the leather on the center armrest/console cover had disappeared! Is there a way to take the armrest apart to replace the padding, then put it back together again?
Thanks!

[rocky]

The padding unscrews from underneath at the center catch, rear and middle of the sides. Hate to break it to you but that but is vinyl not leather.

Have it fixed. Part has a list price of over $300.

[Selfdestruct]

My 2003 has the same issue. I can see the two scres that hold the metal bracket on, but I am not sure how to get at them.
Let me know if you find a solution and I will do the same.
Thanks!
-Scott

[cofetym]

If you can find an automotive upholstery shop in your area, they should be able to color match it. Had this done on a Pathfinder padded center console for $50.
Snap off the rear heater console and then you'll have access to those screws.

[rogbmw]

Thanks - I will try it this weekend. Rocky - are you sure it was not leather in the 2003 models. I have had many cars with both vinyl and leather. If it is not leather, then it is the best vinyl I have ever seen! I'll find out for sure when I take it apart. Thanks!

[cofetym]

It's vinyl.

[Pilot-Matt]

Majestic Honda Parts

Honda Automotive Parts

Not sure of the color.

ARMREST, CONSOLE *G59L*
MEDIUM FERN 83410-S9V-A13ZH
$211.23

[Guido_my_ride]

it happens with alot of the pilots, i work at honda and most of them that come in have that same problem. to much pressure on the armrest causes that to happen. its kinda a defect in the padding they use.

[samc]

This would make a nice DIY.

Assuming the padding unscrews as said by rocky and itself comes apart easily, you could just buy some 3M spray glue, padding from a sewing store or what not, and a sharp knife to do the triming.

[cofetym]

My friend has a 2003 and recently replaced the padding on his. He said that It was pretty easy to do.

[rogbmw]

I got around to taking the armrest apart today. Thanks for all the tips. The padding was a mess. It is pretty easy to take apart - pull the back of the console back to expose the 2 screws that hold the armrest on - take it off, unscrew the two front screws holding the catch and take the armrest to a table. Gently pry off the sides, and slide the armrest inside cover backwards over the hinge, and you have the cover exposed. I took the hinge off for easier access - there are 3 screws holding it on. You have to take the staples out to remove the cover. I only took our 3 sides, and left the fourth side attached. I marked where the tabs from the material were for an orientation when I replaced it. And - YES - mine was real leather! I thought so, but when i removed it, it was actually leather. So maybe they just placed it in leather for 2003. I took pictures of the knap if anyone wants verification. I then took dense pad that was white, and about 3mm thick, and put 2 layers on the top part, covered by 2 more layers that covered them and extended down the sides. I sprayed on adhesive between the first two layers, then around the sides for layers 3 and 4. After the padding was stuck down, I trimmed off the excess with a razor blade. I then replaced the leather cover, stapling it into place back to the orientation marks I made prior to removing it. I put the hinge back on with the three screws, slid the underside cover back into place remembering to slide it under the tab on the rear hinge, and snapped it back into place, put back in the two screws on the front clip, screwed it back onto the console, snapped the back of the console back into place, and now it is like new. The entire process took about an hour.

Pretty straight forward, and the cover was actually leather!

[cofetym]

Glad you got it sorted.

[samc]

Not verification but please put up the pics anyway. I'd like to see what you've done in visual form.

[rogbmw]

I will try to post some pics. After removing the armrest cover, I marked the leather cover underneath so when I put it back on, I could put it back to where it was before I removed it. I marked its position with a red sharpie, then carefully removed the staples.


Here is a picture of the cover removed on 3 sides:



Here is what was left of the padding:


Here is a close look at the knap of the underside of the leather (I guess I am lucky as it is actually leather!):



Then I placed the new padding, reapproximated the position of the leather cover, and restapled the cover back on. I then simply put everything back together, and it is as good as new!

[Lowone74]

Post helped me alot! But the leather is stretched and discolored. Was wondering if there was anywhere to buy replacement cover material already cut and ready to put on? Thanks for any help.


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