Armrest question

[G-man]

On my way to work this morning my drivers side armrest went limp.
It no longer clicks into the desired position but falls all the way down.

I took a quick look at it and it looks like the shaft that supports it is moving in and out about 1/2". I plan to look at it over the weekend but....

1. Has anyone had this problem and is it a relatively quick fix?

2. Also, does anyone know if it is possible to switch the drivers side armrest with the passenger side? My drivers side is getting worn while the pass side is relatively new and was wondering if it would work.

Thanks in advance

95 525ia 197K

[Hallmark]

My armrest did precisely the same thing. I took it off the seat and took it apart. I took digital pics to document the whole exercise and do a write up, but when I got the pics from the small screen on the back of the camera to an actual computer monitor I found they were almost all a little on the fuzzy side. Not useless, but not great.
Anyway, the deal is that there is are two roll pins pressed into the bar the armrest mounts to the seat with and one of them has worn through and broken. You have to remove the leather cover from the armrest and pull the mechanism out (I slit the leather on the inside of the armrest under the plastic cover). The mechanism is swaged and rivited together and the rivets and swage points have to be drilled out. Then you can pull the cast pieces off and open the sheet metal enclosure to access the broken roll pin. Then it's a simple matter of replacing the roll pin and putting it all back together.
It's not for the faint of heart, but it can be done in a couple of hours. I managed to do it and after putting it all back together it looks as good as it did before. I can supply you the pictures I took if you like. That will fill in a lot of gaps in my explanation.
BTW, the left and right side armrests are mirror images of each other and aren't interchangeable.

[G-man]

Mark,

I just sent you an e mail so you can send me the pictures.

Thanks for your reply...

[phildg2000]

I need to remove my armrests to fit in some seatcovers.

[pundit]

On my way to work this morning my drivers side armrest went limp...
Hmmm... Viagra for armrests! Do they make it? :D