Interior 1st Gen Most liked posts in thread: Stop the slide?

It slides open because it want's to. It is evil. I have used various potions and sung chants (learned during 7 years as a fleet sailor) to no avail. I have discovered after much trial and error that a firm forward whack with the elbow on the trailing edge of the #%&*@@# thing will return it to a semblance or order if for only a moment. I would comment on the orderliness of everything else in and on my MINI but fear the retribution of any sneaking, spying gremlins that may lurk.

 

It drove me nuts. So much so I pulled the arm rest out of the car.

 

Bad idea. There might be things in the basement it could hurt.

 

Is there anyway to put a small latch or catch on it? I know for boat use you can get these small nylon elbow catches...might even be able to use 3m double sided tape to mount the catch...

 

^lol

That is soooo "you".

 

Dave.O: "MFin' thing wouldn't stay closed so I epoxied the SOB shut. That'll teach the f'er not to mess with my azz!"

Word from a now-wiser armrest: "When Dave.O tells you to 'shut your yap', you might want to listen."

 

Duct tape? :lol:

 

Glue?

 

Glad to see that this is not just a 2nd Gen problem!

 

Well.... I guess you could call this a fix....
Replace the sliding design with the "European" flip up armrest. I got mine from Outmotoring because I heard the sliding design was a problem. I'm glad I did. Much more comfortable to be able to rest my right arm while driving.

MINI Cooper Armrest with Fliptop Storage Compartment

 

Gosh, I haven't had a problem with mine.

Does it slide open when you are getting in the car or while you are driving?

Dave

 

Remove it and keep it in the basement on shelf.

Jim

 

Thanks Mark. I have been looking for a small latch for another reason and never thought of a Marine Supply place. Plenty of those around Baltimore.

Jim

 

I got mine a few years back from Pete at Minispeed, think it was 190 also. Bought it for the same reason.

 

My 07 was doing this. I had the phone cradle inside so it was open/closed a bunch. It would also rattle if you pushed down on it and slide open constantly. My dealer said there was nothing wrong and wouldn't do anything. I politely asked to try a lid from one of the "new" cars on the lot to see if a new lid would solve the problem and if it did, I would be willing to pay for the lid. They let me remove a lid from a new car and it closed tightly and didn't rattle. I asked how much for the new lid and they just gave it to me. I don't know if the 1st gen cars had a similar design but maybe you just need a new one.

 

I don't seem to have this issue in my '11 with the armrest that incorporates the iPhone cradle physical interface. Perhaps the design enjoyed some incremental improvements. Or I don't shift enough.

 

Give it time...
The sliding mechanism will wear in as it's used, and as it loosens up it'll start moving more freely with a mind of its own. Of course this will occur most likely after the warranty has expired..... In the mean time when it does start to happen, expect to hear the words... "Oh.... That's normal, they all do that".......

 

On the serious side, how about a small dab of ABC Gum on the catch?

Jim