MK5 Golf GTI

All Things Mk5 => How to Guides / Troubleshooting => Topic started by: DamoP on November 02, 2014, 10:41:19 pm

Title: How to fit an Armrest
Post by: DamoP on November 02, 2014, 10:41:19 pm
How to Retro fit an Armrest into the MK5 Golf

T20 Bit + screw driver
Stubby T20 screwdriver
Small flat blade screwdriver


All the screw that are removed are T20 Torx screws. So only one screwdriver bit is required. I used 2 screwdrivers, if you can get a stubby it will really help.


This is a full leather mk5 Golf Armrest with the rear heater pipe

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You will need to remove the standard hand brake/ cup holder. It has 2 screws under the circular rubber mat.

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I would give all the parts a good clean now prior to fitment. I have used Simonz dashboard cleaner on all the plastics and Autoglym leather care cleaner on the top. And hover years worth of c**p under the plastic.

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To save damage remove the hand brake Leather cover. A flat blade screwdriver locates under a flap and it slides off.

Bring the main casing over the handbrake. Then add the handbrake slider casing. A bit of lifting/man handling is required. Now add the heater pipe (if required) this takes some patience to locate.  You will now have to put the 3 screws on the handbrake slider casing, front back and left side

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There are 4 screws that locate the Armrest, 2 are the once you have removed from the old part. The other 2 further forward. VW have cleverly made the armrest to be retro fitted, so there are gaps to hold the screws while fitting.
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Now add the main armrest casing. There are 2 different types
1.   Will allow fitting of a Dock (IPod/USB/MDI or 6 CD changer)
2.   2. L shaped cubby hold (air cooled)

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This has 2 screws Left/Right rear. The rear Air vent section pops on. Then add the rear cup holder, this again holds only 2 screws.

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Title: Re: How to fit an Armrest
Post by: Andy on November 02, 2014, 10:46:09 pm
excellent guide Damo
Title: Re: How to fit an Armrest
Post by: DamoP on November 02, 2014, 10:50:19 pm
excellent guide Damo
Thanks Andy. I have loads more. Just need the time to do the write ups
Title: Re: How to fit an Armrest
Post by: edd30 on November 03, 2014, 08:59:37 am
Muchos gracias ! Great writeup. Now need to find the time to disassemble my arm rest to get to the ipod connection.
Title: Re: How to fit an Armrest
Post by: Rob1 on November 03, 2014, 11:34:11 pm
Good write up demon


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Title: Re: How to fit an Armrest
Post by: DamoP on November 04, 2014, 07:42:11 pm
Muchos gracias ! Great writeup. Now need to find the time to disassemble my arm rest to get to the ipod connection.

you just need to:
cup holder off, 2 x screws
pop the rear air vent section off
armrest casing off, 2 x screws

and you can have a look at both connections
Title: Re: How to fit an Armrest
Post by: DamoP on November 04, 2014, 07:42:31 pm
Good write up demon


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

thanks rob  :happy2:
Title: Re: How to fit an Armrest
Post by: georgekeemo on November 11, 2014, 10:32:15 pm
Good job mate ,i was about to ask about this tut. Thanks a lot !
Title: Re: How to fit an Armrest
Post by: DamoP on November 12, 2014, 09:14:08 am
Good job mate ,i was about to ask about this tut. Thanks a lot !
Welcome mate
Title: Re: How to fit an Armrest
Post by: StuF on November 26, 2014, 03:56:12 pm
Awesome guide - made my armrest and cupholder replacement so much simplier!
Cheers :happy2:
Title: Re: How to fit an Armrest
Post by: DamoP on November 26, 2014, 04:56:33 pm
Awesome guide - made my armrest and cupholder replacement so much simplier!
Cheers :happy2:
welcome dude. told you it wasn't to bad
Title: Re: How to fit an Armrest
Post by: Callum45 on November 26, 2014, 05:18:04 pm
Can you remove just the lid to change from fabric to leather or would i have to strip the whole thing down?
Title: Re: How to fit an Armrest
Post by: DamoP on November 26, 2014, 05:25:46 pm
Can you remove just the lid to change from fabric to leather or would i have to strip the whole thing down?
on the first pic you can see the lid and the plastic underside trim. the leather lid section can be swapped. remember the MK5 and MK6 golf have completely different lids in size and fixing so arnt compatible
Title: Re: How to fit an Armrest
Post by: Callum45 on November 26, 2014, 05:34:14 pm
Can you remove just the lid to change from fabric to leather or would i have to strip the whole thing down?
on the first pic you can see the lid and the plastic underside trim. the leather lid section can be swapped. remember the MK5 and MK6 golf have completely different lids in size and fixing so arnt compatible

How does the trim come off? Clip off or slide off?
Title: Re: How to fit an Armrest
Post by: DamoP on November 26, 2014, 05:35:39 pm
Can you remove just the lid to change from fabric to leather or would i have to strip the whole thing down?
on the first pic you can see the lid and the plastic underside trim. the leather lid section can be swapped. remember the MK5 and MK6 golf have completely different lids in size and fixing so arnt compatible

How does the trim come off? Clip off or slide off?
you need to buy a new one/ebay one or get it trimmed
Title: Re: How to fit an Armrest
Post by: Callum45 on November 26, 2014, 05:38:54 pm
Can you remove just the lid to change from fabric to leather or would i have to strip the whole thing down?
on the first pic you can see the lid and the plastic underside trim. the leather lid section can be swapped. remember the MK5 and MK6 golf have completely different lids in size and fixing so arnt compatible

How does the trim come off? Clip off or slide off?
you need to buy a new one/ebay one or get it trimmed

I meant the plastic trim on the underside sorry. So i can actually remove the lid, if i can remove it i will get it retrimmed.
Title: Re: How to fit an Armrest
Post by: DamoP on November 26, 2014, 05:40:29 pm
Can you remove just the lid to change from fabric to leather or would i have to strip the whole thing down?
on the first pic you can see the lid and the plastic underside trim. the leather lid section can be swapped. remember the MK5 and MK6 golf have completely different lids in size and fixing so arnt compatible

How does the trim come off? Clip off or slide off?
you need to buy a new one/ebay one or get it trimmed

I meant the plastic trim on the underside sorry. So i can actually remove the lid, if i can remove it i will get it retrimmed.
pull down on it and it comes off. the pull up on the lid and that comes off. its only held in place with clips
Title: Re: How to fit an Armrest
Post by: Callum45 on November 26, 2014, 05:42:06 pm
Ok great thanks just didnt want to start pulling onit if there was screws holding it together  :laugh:
Title: Re: How to fit an Armrest
Post by: DamoP on December 12, 2014, 06:17:22 pm
Ok great thanks just didnt want to start pulling onit if there was screws holding it together  :laugh:
np's, mate
Title: Re: How to fit an Armrest
Post by: th3_f15t on January 02, 2015, 04:53:09 pm
@DamoP (http://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/index.php?action=profile;u=2936) 2 questions for you...

First, any tips on getting the heater pipe in? Its currently defeated me... :mad:

Second, I originally had an iPod dock, but if i wanted to swap it, do other units like the CD changer use the same wiring plug so I could fit something else?
Title: Re: How to fit an Armrest
Post by: DamoP on January 02, 2015, 05:51:00 pm
@DamoP (http://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/index.php?action=profile;u=2936) 2 questions for you...

First, any tips on getting the heater pipe in? Its currently defeated me... :mad:

Second, I originally had an iPod dock, but if i wanted to swap it, do other units like the CD changer use the same wiring plug so I could fit something else?
1. you will need to remove :
armrest
centre console
gear knob
ash tray

once its all out there are 2 plastic bungs under the heater set up. pop them off and then push the heater pipe on and up. and refit in reverse.

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2. you can fit , iPod dock, 6 cd changer or the standard USB dock. these all use the same connector. The MDI uses a different loom completely
Title: Re: How to fit an Armrest
Post by: th3_f15t on January 02, 2015, 08:55:58 pm
Ah, OK, thought you could get away with not having to remove the centre console to get the heater pipe in, sad times. Thanks for the info.
Title: Re: How to fit an Armrest
Post by: DamoP on January 03, 2015, 01:25:04 pm
Ah, OK, thought you could get away with not having to remove the centre console to get the heater pipe in, sad times. Thanks for the info.
afraid not. its simple enough to remove
Title: Re: How to fit an Armrest
Post by: th3_f15t on January 03, 2015, 03:27:10 pm
Funny thing is I had it removed to get it out as I was replacing the centre console anyway! Guess I'll have to dismantle everything another weekend, for now I'll just live without a rear heater, but I don't have any friends so not an issue!

Perhaps we should add a section to this guide regarding removing the centre console just enough to fit this?