New Console/armrest
Member
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 4,295
From: Wandering around.
In a country that is lawsuit happy... having something close enough to bump an elbow in a car that requires constant arm movement is a potential $$$ sink hole. So, if they say it's not compatible and you install it anyway, they aren't liable.
Even if YOU say it won't/doesn't interfere with YOUR driving, there are people out there with whom, it WILL interfere. And a few that will CLAIM it interfered.
New Member
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 5
From: Cambridge, MA
Simple, they and Honda corps doesn't want to be held responsible if you crashed because you accidentally bump your elbow when shifting.
In a country that is lawsuit happy... having something close enough to bump an elbow in a car that requires constant arm movement is a potential $$$ sink hole. So, if they say it's not compatible and you install it anyway, they aren't liable.
Even if YOU say it won't/doesn't interfere with YOUR driving, there are people out there with whom, it WILL interfere. And a few that will CLAIM it interfered.
In a country that is lawsuit happy... having something close enough to bump an elbow in a car that requires constant arm movement is a potential $$$ sink hole. So, if they say it's not compatible and you install it anyway, they aren't liable.
Even if YOU say it won't/doesn't interfere with YOUR driving, there are people out there with whom, it WILL interfere. And a few that will CLAIM it interfered.
New Member
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 13
From: tarpon springs
I installed the oem console a couple of weeks ago. Although it's pricey, it's added tons of comfort to my driving. For me, the most difficult part of the install was getting the bolts that secure the mounting bracket (the one that goes under the hand brake cables) threaded. I cussed quite a bit (and quite creatively) before I got them seated properly. On another thread, a poster suggested stuffing rags all around the edge of the carpet. I HIGHLY recommend this. I almost lost one of the mounting bolts when it slipped under the carpet and rolled a little towards the rear.
Member
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 70
From: Slovenia, Europe
2010 Fit Base MT. I ordered the OEM armrest and installed it myself today. It's funny that the dealers won't install them on the MT versions (it's not available, really!), since the factory instructions sheet has MT-specific instruction steps on it.
As others have noted, the only really hairy part of the install is bolting in the bracket that goes underneath the emergency brake clip. If you drop a bolt, or a wrench socket, or anything else, it's going to fall into this crevice between the floor carpeting and the frame. Make sure you have a magnetic picker (magnet on a stick, basically) or a VERY STRONG magnet to grab the bolt through the carpet. If you do lose anything, it'll take a few tries to get it out, since the frame is steel and will attract the magnet as well. Wave the magnet around a few times and you'll grab whatever you need. Don't use an aluminum or titanium wrench socket though, you don't want to drop anything in there that can't be grabbed by a magnet.
You'll need to put quite a bit of force on the e-brake cable clip to get the threaded bolt holes to line up with the holes in the clip and bracket. I almost gave up there, but eventually I got everything in. The drill holes need to be in roughly the right place, but the sizes are inexact. They ask for an 8mm hole to get a 6mm bolt through. So, it wouldn't matter that much if you're off by a millimeter or so. If you only have US drill bits, the closest size will likely be fine.
They also ask for a 20mm hole saw, which I did not have. I used a 3/4" spade bit, which is more like 19mm. The rubber caps which go in the hole needed a bit of finagling to get in the smaller hole, but it was no problem. For that hole, best to err on the small side rather than large, as the rubber caps might fall out of a hole that's too large.
Very happy with the armrest. For highway driving, it's nice to be able to rest my arm, and for city, it's actually a more comfortable shifting position than without, in my opinion. The emergency brake is a bit difficult to operate with the armrest top slid forward, so if you use the emergency brake regularly while driving (some people do this), you probably shouldn't slide the top forward.
As others have noted, the only really hairy part of the install is bolting in the bracket that goes underneath the emergency brake clip. If you drop a bolt, or a wrench socket, or anything else, it's going to fall into this crevice between the floor carpeting and the frame. Make sure you have a magnetic picker (magnet on a stick, basically) or a VERY STRONG magnet to grab the bolt through the carpet. If you do lose anything, it'll take a few tries to get it out, since the frame is steel and will attract the magnet as well. Wave the magnet around a few times and you'll grab whatever you need. Don't use an aluminum or titanium wrench socket though, you don't want to drop anything in there that can't be grabbed by a magnet.
You'll need to put quite a bit of force on the e-brake cable clip to get the threaded bolt holes to line up with the holes in the clip and bracket. I almost gave up there, but eventually I got everything in. The drill holes need to be in roughly the right place, but the sizes are inexact. They ask for an 8mm hole to get a 6mm bolt through. So, it wouldn't matter that much if you're off by a millimeter or so. If you only have US drill bits, the closest size will likely be fine.
They also ask for a 20mm hole saw, which I did not have. I used a 3/4" spade bit, which is more like 19mm. The rubber caps which go in the hole needed a bit of finagling to get in the smaller hole, but it was no problem. For that hole, best to err on the small side rather than large, as the rubber caps might fall out of a hole that's too large.
Very happy with the armrest. For highway driving, it's nice to be able to rest my arm, and for city, it's actually a more comfortable shifting position than without, in my opinion. The emergency brake is a bit difficult to operate with the armrest top slid forward, so if you use the emergency brake regularly while driving (some people do this), you probably shouldn't slide the top forward.
its really funny coz in Europe you can get it for M/T as well
Member
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 187
From: GVRD, Canada
The arm rest was one of the first accessory items I purchased right away. I contemplated getting the other ones, but I've always enjoyed OEM quality. The Honda armrest has not disappointed me. Perfect fit and sturdy as hell. I'm no light weight and when I go get stuff from the passenger seat once I'm parked in my tiny little garage, I often lean on that armrest with all my weight to get at whatever - no problem as it is very solid.
It is expensive, but you get what you pay for. So many cheap things out there. If you go with cheap and it breaks on you, you just wasted hard earned money. Do it right the first time and get what works. If you don't have the money, don't waste it by getting inferior stuff.
If you sell the vehicle, you can always take the thing out and there would be plenty of people out there wanting the arm rest. I used to drive a 4th gen civic (EF). I purchased a centre console extender for it (Genuine Honda accessory). Something that wasn't popular at the time. Now that piece is worth gold. I bought an extra one way back then and sold it later for twice what I paid for. I don't think this arm rest would reach that kind of status, but reading all the posts from folks who have the Honda arm rest, you know you have no choice but to get it over anything else.
Yeah, it's Sunday and I'm no soccer fan. Nothing to do but surf the net posting looooong replies.
BTW, I drive a manual and it does not get in the way - that much.
It is expensive, but you get what you pay for. So many cheap things out there. If you go with cheap and it breaks on you, you just wasted hard earned money. Do it right the first time and get what works. If you don't have the money, don't waste it by getting inferior stuff.
If you sell the vehicle, you can always take the thing out and there would be plenty of people out there wanting the arm rest. I used to drive a 4th gen civic (EF). I purchased a centre console extender for it (Genuine Honda accessory). Something that wasn't popular at the time. Now that piece is worth gold. I bought an extra one way back then and sold it later for twice what I paid for. I don't think this arm rest would reach that kind of status, but reading all the posts from folks who have the Honda arm rest, you know you have no choice but to get it over anything else.
Yeah, it's Sunday and I'm no soccer fan. Nothing to do but surf the net posting looooong replies.
BTW, I drive a manual and it does not get in the way - that much.
Last edited by mugen666; Jun 20, 2010 at 04:36 PM.
New Member
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 2
From: Belevue, WA
Pointers from my installation experience
I installed the Honda OEM armrest system today, and I used the installation instructions available on the Web and listed in an early message on this thread. Took me about an hour, but I did it slowly and carefully.
For those of you who don't think metric easily, you can substitute an 1/8" drill bit for the 3mm and a 5/16 or 3/8" drill bit for the 8mm. The 20mm hole saw is a bit harder, but I had a new 3/4" spade bit that worked well as long as I did it slowly. The plastic cuts through pretty easily.
There is no substitute for the 10, 12 & 14mm sockets, but it's a lot easier if you have deep sockets.
The toughest part was doing the final removal of the center console. After the front clips and rear screw are detached, there is still an attached tab under the console center between the shift and emergency brake. You have to pop that up before you can slide the console out.
For those of you who don't think metric easily, you can substitute an 1/8" drill bit for the 3mm and a 5/16 or 3/8" drill bit for the 8mm. The 20mm hole saw is a bit harder, but I had a new 3/4" spade bit that worked well as long as I did it slowly. The plastic cuts through pretty easily.
There is no substitute for the 10, 12 & 14mm sockets, but it's a lot easier if you have deep sockets.
The toughest part was doing the final removal of the center console. After the front clips and rear screw are detached, there is still an attached tab under the console center between the shift and emergency brake. You have to pop that up before you can slide the console out.
Member
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 4,295
From: Wandering around.
Man... let's see... Armrest, bought a week after I bought the car (got car 6/21/10)... tools and bits a few weeks later. Even got the OE armrest off and covered. I had to, since I bought seat covers for the Fit, and the seat covers assume there's no OE armrest (Sport).
Is it installed? nope.
One of these days, I should do it.
Is it installed? nope.
One of these days, I should do it.
Member
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 20
From: Southeast USA
I installed the OEM armrest today. It went fairly easy except for getting the bolts in for the bracket under the hand brake bracket. That was a big pain but I did stick the rags around to keep from losing anything under the floor. Thanks for that tip!
I am very pleased with the armrest and highly recommend it.
I am very pleased with the armrest and highly recommend it.
Member
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 57
From: Tulsa, Oklahoma
Yeah, I lost one of my bolts down by the Ebrake area. Luckly I had a magentic pickup tool and I got it back out. Other than that, I ended using a dremel to get those holes in the side of the console drilled out. With the rubber caps I was able to get it "close enough". Overall a pretty easy install, and much nicer than the factory armrest!
New Member
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 2
From: Austin, Tx, USA
I'm about to get a 2011 Base AT, and looking at the armrest. Will the OEM armrest work okay on the Base?
For anyone wondering, you go to cflhonda.com and search for part number 08U89TK6111. I couldn't find it any other way.
About the instructions, go to CollegeHillsHonda.com and they have a PDF and a video. You may want to consider ordering from them because they provide such helpful information.
For anyone wondering, you go to cflhonda.com and search for part number 08U89TK6111. I couldn't find it any other way.
About the instructions, go to CollegeHillsHonda.com and they have a PDF and a video. You may want to consider ordering from them because they provide such helpful information.
Member
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 4,295
From: Wandering around.
I'm about to get a 2011 Base AT, and looking at the armrest. Will the OEM armrest work okay on the Base?
For anyone wondering, you go to cflhonda.com and search for part number 08U89TK6111. I couldn't find it any other way.
About the instructions, go to CollegeHillsHonda.com and they have a PDF and a video. You may want to consider ordering from them because they provide such helpful information.
For anyone wondering, you go to cflhonda.com and search for part number 08U89TK6111. I couldn't find it any other way.
About the instructions, go to CollegeHillsHonda.com and they have a PDF and a video. You may want to consider ordering from them because they provide such helpful information.
I don't know why you had trouble finding it... it's listed right here. http://www.collegehillshonda.com/hon...or-accessories.
Because prices change... right now, Bernardi is selling it for $150 (vs CFLHonda's $180). But as always, shipping&handling may still make one or the other cheaper.
ps... I did finally install mine after my last previous post in this thread.
New Member
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 2
From: Austin, Tx, USA
It should work fine with the base.
I don't know why you had trouble finding it... it's listed right here. http://www.collegehillshonda.com/hon...or-accessories.
Because prices change... right now, Bernardi is selling it for $150 (vs CFLHonda's $180). But as always, shipping&handling may still make one or the other cheaper.
I don't know why you had trouble finding it... it's listed right here. http://www.collegehillshonda.com/hon...or-accessories.
Because prices change... right now, Bernardi is selling it for $150 (vs CFLHonda's $180). But as always, shipping&handling may still make one or the other cheaper.
By the way, how long did it take you to install the armrest?
Member
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 4,295
From: Wandering around.
whoops... i just realized... i was confusing CFL with College Hills.
I don't remember how long it took... the only thing was, I was nervous about drilling a hole into the console. But beyond that, it's a simple affair... just follow the pdf.
I don't remember how long it took... the only thing was, I was nervous about drilling a hole into the console. But beyond that, it's a simple affair... just follow the pdf.
Member
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 1,302
From: Louisville
It took me about an hour and a half. The only problems I had were finding the correct hole saw (a 3/4 inch saw works instead of the metric one), and I either got a weak bolt or just over torqued it and snapped it, but got a replacement at the hardware store for ~59 cents.
Member
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 104
From: Western Canada
I'm about to get a 2011 Base AT, and looking at the armrest. Will the OEM armrest work okay on the Base?
For anyone wondering, you go to cflhonda.com and search for part number 08U89TK6111. I couldn't find it any other way.
About the instructions, go to CollegeHillsHonda.com and they have a PDF and a video. You may want to consider ordering from them because they provide such helpful information.
For anyone wondering, you go to cflhonda.com and search for part number 08U89TK6111. I couldn't find it any other way.
About the instructions, go to CollegeHillsHonda.com and they have a PDF and a video. You may want to consider ordering from them because they provide such helpful information.
yep, works on the base model no problem. even more easy to install because there is no need to remove the driver's side armrest as the base model does not come with one.