Armrest Strut
 

Who knew the arm rest had a little strut?

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v7...psfywqnenk.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v7...psazhbvibk.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v7...psfn81cnnz.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v7...psr1775cg4.jpg

Didn't know the D3 did, but the PF D2 did if it had a factory phone installed.
I tried and failed (dismally) to get a replacement gas strut some years ago (car has gone to the A8parts graveyard since then).

I've just spent the last hour looking and it appears to be no longer avaliable.

Tempted to talk to SGS and see how much they want to re-gas it.

See if its worth the hassle to get in there and strip it down.

Wow! Who knew, right?!

I don't think my armrest was especially damped in it's movement, so I don't know if that means I don't have a strut, or that the strut is knackered.

Hmmm....

I suspect the struts are broken.
Possibly due to people forcing the lids down and popping the seals.

Be good is SGS can refurbish them.

Emailed SGS. See what they say.

You realise, you're now going to have to post a how-to guide for removing and refitting the armrests, right?!

Nahhhhh.

Got an email back from SGS.

Bugger!!


If anyone does find a damper that works or away to replace these.
To strip the arm rest down is a bit of bit of paint but doable.
Just remember how it goes back.
You also need to push out the retaining pins that holds the main ally body together to be able to strip the strut out.

I will do a guide next time I strip them down.

RC Cars have similar dampers, but probably not worth the hassle of changing the ends or fashioning adapters.. Does it have a Nm rating on it? I would expect 200-400Nm. I think the damper just acts at the top of the armrest travel to catch it before it bounces off the endstop and then hold it wide open somewhat - once closing it doesn't seem to have any effect. What do other think?