So the weather was nice today, and I've had a day off and finaly managed to swap my existing armrest for the sliding one, which had been lying around for nearly 7 months now... Nothing was broken (hoooorayyyy!), but managed to loose one screw in the windscreen airvent (clumsy me). Besides that the swap-around was pretty straight forward and took roughly 2 hours (would be a lot less, but I was struggling with one bit, and was afraid to break plastic).
So that people know I've got a 2014 GD model with manual 6-speed gearbox, UK model (right hand drive). If you've got and automatic, then certain stages might be slightly different.
So, pictures and description to follow.
So first you remove the 2 shiny trim peaces with airvent.
remove stereo Hyundai Elantra 2011-2013 - YouTube - this video gives and idea of how to do it. But personally I started from the bottom - start latching with thin plastic trim removal tool (where I point the screwdriver) away from center and pull towards yourself. These shiny pieces sit pretty tight, so some force will have to be applied (they are quite strong, so don't worry about breaking them)
This what they look like when off, also made photos of the part number in case someone needs it. Anyway you end with with dash looking like this:
After which you have to remove a screw from either side of the climate control unit:
Once screws are out, just pull the 2 trim pieces out (towards back of car and a bit up, wiggle them a bit).
Next remove the plastic screws in the footwell on either side:
After that remove 2 bolts using m10 socket bit from the compartment under the armrest, remove the small insert to uncover the bolts:
Next lift the leather gearbox gaiter. That's easy, just latch in between leather and plastic on the side and unclip by pulling up.
At this point I already started to celebrate victory over the central tunnel, but it was a bit premature....And the next step took me the most time and nerves to deal with.
It's the remaining plastic trim around the gearbox stick.
Being held by 8 clips, 4 of which are super stiff, it seemed that that piece isn't possible to detach. I managed to pull it off starting from the side closer to the rear of car, where 2 green slips are holding the piece. Pop them 2 out and then just pulling one side up at a time. It takes a lot of force to pop them out, and I feared that I've broken something when it popped out, but the plastic clips are quite durable.
After that remove the final 2 screws that are holding the tunnel down:
Then remove the small plastic cover right under the handbrake handle (can be done with any small screwdriver or similar thing to latch it up). And after that just slide the whole central tunnel off. It did take some back and forward motion to get it around the handbrake, but nothing to be afraid of. Once out you end up with your car looking something like this:
Part code for those, who are in need of one:
As you flip it over you'll see how the back wall (next to rear passengers wootwell) is being held - 2 screws and 8 clips:
Unscrew the 2 screws and simply pull off the that last piece of plastic, the clips will undo quite easy. After that you just have to remove 4 screws, which are holding your existing armrest:
Install your new sliding armrest using them 4 screws and enjoy!
Here's the part number for the sliding armrest itself (but I'm sure you can find on the internet as well):
Getting things back together should be of no difficulty, just reverse all the steps. This also gives the opportunity to stick some anti-sqeeak strips on the most annoying pieces, like the 2 silver vent trims and the 2 parts underneath them.
Hope this review helps whoever is planning on changing the armrest in his i30 for a sliding one.
