S80 2001 How To Replace Your Console Armrest Cover

Post by **vegasjetskier** » 13 Aug 2008, 21:18

Is your console armrest looking ratty? Foam collapsing? Here's how to replace it. I bought mine at the dealer for $80. Be sure to take your VIN number with you as they will need it to make sure you get the right color cover. You might be able to save a few bucks by buying your cover here (I don't know): http://www.volvopartsclub.com

You will need a T-25 Torx bit to do this job. Make sure you have that first.

Here's a pic of my old armrest looking bad where the faux leather is peeling away:

Open the lid to the console and remove the four T-25 Torx screws (two at the top and two and the bottom):

Now lift the cover off of the console lid. This is what it looks like with no cover. That gismo in the middle is what keeps the lid open when you let go.

Now open the lid all the way and make sure the hold-open gismo is in the notch as shown here at the tip of my finger (if you don't, the gismo won't work right):

While holding the lid in the vertical position, slide the cover on and install the four Torx screws. You're done. Here's what mine looked like (a marked improvement!):

I will load this into the S80 Repair Database. I don't know if it applies to other models.

S80willie · Post by **S80willie** » 24 Jul 2009, 14:14

Thanks so much for including this in the database. It was very helpful. I know that when I pulled my old leather armrest off the round piston looking plastic piece pulled off of the inverted y plastic piece and the spring. I knew it looked like the piston piece should go down and compress the spring and be held by the notches on the plastic plate bracket, but in pushing on it, it began to bend and the plastic rod wouldn't go through the end of the piston with the spring loaded clip and I was afraid to breaking it. After seeing your pictures I took a hammer and gently hammered the two pieces together. Worked like a champ and now I have a nice new armrest! Thanks, again.

Crito · Post by **Crito** » 25 Jul 2009, 06:12

The hand brake boot is cheap and pretty easy to replace too BTW. I did mine at same time as center console armrest. Made a huge difference to interior of my used 2003 S80.

silkyslim · Post by **silkyslim** » 12 Sep 2009, 08:02

Thanks

neworleans · Post by **neworleans** » 14 Sep 2009, 20:42

i need to replace mine too. any idea where to buy it from?
vegas had told me about some volvo club website but that website is down now. they were asking 57 bucks...

Post by **vegasjetskier** » 14 Sep 2009, 20:56

I bought mine from my local dealer. You can also try www.myswedishparts.com, www.tascafordparts.com, www.swedishautoparts.com, and Darrell Waltrip Volvo 1-800-689-0021 ask for Jamie or Don. You will need your VIN or color code to order the the correct cover.

neworleans · Post by **neworleans** » 10 Oct 2009, 15:03

here is an update...
i just bought a leather cover for the armrest on ebay and replaced my old ratty cover with it.
If you are not sure what color you need, unscrew the 4 bolts on your armrest and see the sticker inside. it has the part number along with color so when you order you can provide right color and number.
second, if you purchase this armrest console part from the dealer or any other supplier, it comes with the plastic backing however the material is not leather, it is vinyl so it may get bad soon just like the one you have one now.
so, you may want to get the leather one like I did but this requires some work.
you will need to take off the old cover and replace it with the leather one you can find on ebay. the leather quality is very good. If you think you can do this, i would recommend you to get the leather one and put it on.
i used barge glue (blue) to stick it to the plastic backing.

subdewd · Post by **subdewd** » 12 Oct 2009, 05:36

I just got some material they use on boat interiors from a fabric
store for less than $3. I don't have the double stitch but it looks great. Even wifey agrees and she's very picky!

Post by **OEMVolvoParts** » 13 Oct 2009, 10:34

Part number is 9196874 for the Oak/Arena color, which is the most common. We keep it in stock and sell quite a few. Check our page link at the top of this page, we sell it for $50.33 and you get free shipping if you mention MVS. You wont find a better price for a brand new Volvo part.

Pilot9302 · Post by **Pilot9302** » 13 Oct 2015, 16:25

I went to Joanne fabrics and found some vinyl material that was a close match. I had my mother in law do the double stitch thing like the original (but with contrasting dark brown thread.) I then contact cemented a strip of vinyl in the center of the arm rest between the 2 existing stitch rows to build up the little valley there, and finally contact cemented the new vinyl on top and trimmed it and put it back on. Cost me about $4.