How to remove the standard armrest on the Lada Vesta

The armrest for Lada Vesta is an integral element of the car. Its absence significantly reduces driving comfort. In addition, you can store small items or documents in it. But, despite such important functions, some manufacturers do not find it important to equip the basic and standard equipment with an armrest.

AvtoVAZ belongs to the category of such manufacturers. A standard hand holder is available only in the maximum “Lux” configuration. Therefore, all other buyers are forced to search, buy and install the accessory themselves.

Factory armrest

The standard Lada armrest has very limited functionality. It is attached to the driver's seat, is narrow in width, and has no additional storage compartments. The main advantage of this accessory is its attachment to the driver’s seat. Accordingly, when the backrest deviates, the holder also deviates.

The Almatar brand sells an armrest that differs from the original in that it is wider. Otherwise, it repeats the “luxury” version.

The advantages of the Almatar product include:

the ability to adjust the height and remove the element up;
compactness;
low price up to 700 rubles;
comfortable hand position for any seat adjustment.

Armrest produced under the Armster brand

The most expensive option. It has high quality workmanship and is quite practical. The version with the “Classic” box is equipped with a soft lid that can be folded back. There are no modifications applicable to Vesta yet, so the owner of a Lada Vesta SW will have to slightly modify the product after purchase. The price starts from 4 thousand rubles.

On a note! The sales network includes Chinese analogues of these branded armrests. Their exterior is similar to the original, but they cannot boast of reliability and premium materials. Their cost is several times less. Products for the Vesta "Azard" car

They are universal accessories with a niche for luggage. The manufacturer's range includes options with a cup holder and a locking roof. Price – 680 rub. and higher.

Alternative options

You should select a hand holder for a Lada Vesta or any other car according to the following criteria: design, size, functionality. You need to pay attention to those devices that match the interior color. Next, functionality is taken into account. As a rule, standard armrests do not have the same functionality as branded ones manufactured separately.

According to statistics, Lada Vesta owners most often buy hand holders from Chinese manufacturers. The most popular brands are Rex or Torino. They are made in the shape of a box armrest and are suitable for mounting on a car.

Features of armrests from Chinese manufacturers:

high functionality;
presence of cup holders;
lowest cost in the category;
high capacity of the boxes, which can negatively affect the ease of use of seat belts.

You need to carefully select an armrest from China or read many reviews to choose the right option that has all the necessary fastenings.

There are a number of domestic manufacturers that also produce holders for Lada Vesta. Oh we already talked about. On the market you can find suitable devices manufactured by Azard, Armster, Varta.

The Azard armrest differs from the original in the following features:

made in the form of a box;
You can put small items and documents in it;
the cost is 3000 rubles;
no need to use additional elements or screws during installation;
large dimensions, which can interfere with the use of the handbrake.

produces the most expensive, but at the same time, comfortable armrests that are ideal for the Lada Vesta. The manufacturer is largely engaged in the production of accessories for specific models, including Lada Vesta.

The armrest from Azard differs from the original in the following features:

it has a compartment for storing small items and documents;
only high-quality materials that are pleasant to the touch are used in its production;
the price starts from 3900 rubles.

Some Chinese manufacturers create copies, so you need to pay attention to the cost, build quality and materials used. All these components will be several times worse.

What options does the market offer?

Before considering any types of armrests for the Lada, let’s define the evaluation and selection criteria. The optimal option includes a combination of factors:

price;
ease of use;
quality of finish;
reliability;
the ability to attach to anything in the car;
durability.

There are armrests made from several segments.

Variety	Price	Advantages and disadvantages
The most budget-friendly one is “made in China”.	The only plus in the Chinese version is the price (up to 1 thousand rubles).	It is distinguished by relatively low workmanship. The finishing quality is primitive. Often this is thin plastic, sometimes there is a leather substitute finish, and built-in recesses for glasses. Some models do not have padding inside the luggage compartment. Sellers often recommend this product as universal for any car. But the versatility of such a product is questionable when trying to install it in the Lada interior. The manufacturer provides that the armrest is simply inserted into the tunnel and secured tightly. But in practice, the product does not stand stable; when you press the brake sharply, it moves forward towards the gear lever. In addition, it makes it difficult to access the handbrake lever and seat belt slots.
Second class coasters.	More expensive ones (up to 3 thousand rubles) are made of plywood.	They are finished on the outside with various materials and, in comparison with Chinese ones, benefit in quality and reliability. They are also universal for all cars, but the installation is thought out by the manufacturer. Without any special difficulties, such armrests are placed in the tunnel between the seats and firmly fixed. The disadvantage is the same as that of Chinese coasters - it is difficult for the driver to remove the car from the handbrake or to buckle up.
The third type is Armster armrests for Lada.	They are the most expensive (from 4 thousand rubles). But the quality is worth the money.	This type of accessories is produced individually for a specific car model. Therefore, there is no need to worry about fastening. These products will be installed like factory ones. The angle of inclination is also adjustable so that it is not difficult to control the handbrake and use the belts. At the moment, this company produces armrests for many Lada models. In the near future, it is predicted that a similar accessory will be released for the Lada Vesta.

There is also an alternative to Armster - a Chinese analogue. It has the same features as the original, but is of lower quality and, often, there are difficulties with its fastening. Costs from 600 rub.

You can also find an accessory on the market. It is in many ways similar to the factory stand from Vesta luxury, but does not have a box for storing things and cannot change the angle of inclination. Price – from 700 rub.

Armrest installation

High-quality and quick installation of the accessory can be done at a car service center. But many owners prefer to do it themselves so as not to spend extra money. The amount of time spent and labor intensity depend on the armrest model for Lada Vesta. You can install the accessory yourself, but it may take much longer without using the instructions.

First of all, the electronics from the chair are disconnected. This applies to seat heating elements. Next, the upholstery of the chair is removed. The pylon has a hole specifically for the holder. Using the bolt and nut that are included with the purchased accessory, you should fasten it.

To install the box, you must perform the following operations:

Push the passenger seat forward all the way, and the driver's seat, on the contrary, back.
Take out the “lamb”, with which you change the angle of the chair.
Unscrew the screw that secures the decorative trim.
Unscrew the slide and tilt the seat to the side.
Unscrew the chair fastening bolts and install the armrest.
Tighten the bolts.

Installation Rules

The original ArBox armrest, specially created for LADA XRAY, is made of plastic and is fixed under the seat runners on metal brackets. Its installation takes a few minutes. To do this, you need to move the front seats forward until they stop and unscrew the fastening of the slides with a TorX T-40 screwdriver. The standard armrest fixation bracket must be placed under the slides so that the holes on them coincide with the holes in the bracket. Then tighten the seat mounting bolts.

The Almar model is easy to use and very popular among car enthusiasts; even an inexperienced driver can install it. To do this, unscrew the bolts securing the driver's seat from the floor and remove it. Then remove the plastic cover on the right side of the chair, insert the armrest mounting pin into the technological hole and tighten the nut on the pin. Now you need to put the seat in place and secure it.

Armrests in a car are not decoration, but a necessary detail that allows you to create comfortable conditions for the driver while driving. The market for spare parts and accessories offers a wide range of designs that differ in shape, size, and materials used. Along with the advantages, all the proposed armrests have the same disadvantages: it is inconvenient to use the handbrake, fasten and release seat belts.

How to remove the standard armrest on a Lada Vesta

Dismantling the original Lada Vesta armrest and box is carried out in different ways. It is easier to dismantle the original accessory, since you do not need to perform many operations. In order to remove a standard armrest, you must first remove it from the cover. There is foam rubber under the cover. There is a hole in the foam rubber into which you need to insert a socket wrench set to “13”, unscrew the bolt and remove the hand holder.

Source

It is difficult to imagine a modern passenger car without an armrest, which provides the driver with a more comfortable ride and serves as storage for some small items. Many car manufacturers prefer to produce armrests as additional equipment, for which they often have to pay extra. In the case of the Lada Vesta, AvtoVAZ went exactly this way.

The opportunity to purchase a Vesta with an armrest is very limited, since those who want to get it will have to buy the top-end equipment of a Russian car. And those who do not want to spend money on a top-end Lada Vesta, but want to have an armrest, have to buy it separately and install it themselves.

Scheme of work

If you decide to repeat the homemade armrest for the Lada Vesta, which was made by pittbull777, you will need to follow the sequence of actions.

To create the armrest, plywood sheets 8 mm thick are used. 18mm plywood is used only for the back wall, since the hinge will be attached to it.

The loop itself is fixed at the end of the plywood. To do this, a rectangular recess is pre-cut. The second loop, which is necessary for attaching the folding section, is mounted in the same way.

Next, pittbull777 put a piece of board in place of the removable part of the guides. The guides themselves are fixed with 20 mm M6 screws. In this case, the central screw in the hinge fastening acts as a limiter.

After the frame is ready, and all the canopies have been mounted and all the technological holes have been cut, including for the parking brake handle, it must be covered on the outside and covered with paper on the inside. Carpet is perfect for working inside

But it is recommended to cover the outside with eco-leather or leatherette.

As a result of the work carried out following the example of pittbull777, we get a homemade armrest for the Lada Vesta, which is intended not only for the driver, but also for the passenger, is adjustable and has a box for small items.

The result is demonstrated in the video.

https://youtube.com/watch?v=JphXNFUpy1E

If you are planning to purchase a car, and your choice fell on the Lada Vesta, it is worth studying in detail the parameters and characteristics of various configurations of this car, because in the case of this car there are elements that complement the interior and exterior, which are included only in the richest configuration. One such accessory is the armrest between the front seats.

Most drivers are accustomed to such an element of comfort, but overpaying for such a trifle and ordering a luxury Lada Vesta set is not entirely logical. Therefore, this accessory must be purchased separately. In this article we will consider the criteria for choosing the optimal armrest option for the Lada.

A few words about the standard armrest

So, the complete accessory is available only in the top-end configuration of the Russian car. The standard armrest is attached to the driver's seat; it is intended only for the driver to place his hand on it, and does not carry any additional functions. This item is convenient because it does not change its position in relation to the driver with any seat adjustment.

Dismantling

First you need to remove the standard armrest, since during fitting (to make your own adjustments, for example) it will interfere. This is not difficult to do, and all you need is a ratchet and a TorX 40 sprocket.

First you need to unfasten the cover. Next, the mounting bolt is unscrewed. All that remains is to lift the armrest up so that it takes the extreme vertical position, and, slightly shaking it from side to side, remove it.

This process is clearly shown in the video.

Installing the armrest in the standard mount

It is better to carry out the installation at a car service center, however, if you want to do it yourself, there are no particular difficulties. First you need to disconnect all electronics from the chair, including the heated seats, then remove the upholstery of the chair. You will find a hole in the pylon; screw the armrest using a bolt and nut, which are sold complete with the accessory. For installation, you will need two 13mm wrenches. It is best to dismantle the seat, remove it from the car and then attach the armrest.

In the niche behind the glove box

After removing the box, access to the EMM unit fixed on the engine panel will open.

Also visible is the VCM unit, which is located higher, in front of the passenger airbag.

The block is fixed with a mount and a bolt with a nut of 8 on the reverse side.

The VSM unit must be removed, and then the black block S1 must be disconnected, as indicated in the information letter.

From the removed block you need to remove contact No. 37, which is marked in pink and green.

The wire must be carefully insulated, and then put the block in place.

Then the EMM block is taken, from which the gray block S2 is removed.

In the block it is necessary to swap the third and fourth contacts, which are indicated in the photo in black-blue and yellow, respectively.

As for removing the wires, everything is quite simple.

Each block is equipped with a white plate and white latches on the sides. First, use a thin knife to pry off the plate, and then the clamps.

Next, you need to arm yourself with some thin object (for this Vladislav used a spring) and insert it into a small hole, which is slightly above the contact. They need to bend the contact retainer and remove the wire.

In the end, everything is assembled in reverse order.

Installation of a universal armrest in the form of a box

To install the Universal Box Stand, follow these steps:

Push the front passenger seat forward as far as possible, and push the driver's seat all the way back.
Take out the “lamb”, which is responsible for changing the angle of the seat.
Unscrew the screw securing the decorative trim.
Then you need to unscrew the chair slides and place the seat on its side.
Unscrew the two bolts that secure the chair and install the accessory, then screw the bolts back.

Not every version of the Lada Vesta has an armrest installed. Nevertheless, this is a familiar component of the vehicle interior, without which it is difficult to imagine normal movement. However, some manufacturers classify such an element specifically as an additional device. Therefore, when purchasing a vehicle, motorists often have to pay extra for the armrest on the Lada Vesta.

Description

Equipment: Front seats - 2, rear sofa, rear backrest 40/60, front armrest, headrests - 5. Features of Rival covers: - eco-leather material 1 mm thick; — lining foam rubber 5 mm thick; - have high strength; — have a special seam in the front covers, which does not interfere with the operation of the airbag; - “breathe”; - protect from moisture; - do not cause allergies; - do not have an unpleasant odor; — resistant to temperature changes; - pleasant to the touch.

Information about technical characteristics, delivery set, country of manufacture and appearance of the product is for reference only and is based on the latest available information from the manufacturer

Removing the standard armrest and installing a new one

In order to remove the standard armrest from a Lada Vesta car, you need to perform the following sequence of actions:

First you need to unzip the cover and bend it back;
After this, using a 40mm Torx, you need to unscrew the fixing bolt;
Next, you need to lift and fix it in a vertical position, loosen it, and then pull it towards you.

Experts recommend installing a new armrest only if you have a sufficient level of qualifications. Otherwise, it is better to contact a professional car service. Installation involves the following sequence of actions:

The passenger seat must be moved as close to the glove compartment as possible. The driver's seat is moved as far as possible from the steering wheel;
After this, you need to find the driver’s seat angle adjuster and unscrew the fixing screw;
After this, the slide on the seat is unscrewed and the chair itself is carefully turned on its side;
Then the 2 fixing bolts are unscrewed, the accessory is mounted and the chair is put in place.

On the steering column

After completing the work in the Vesta glove compartment area, you need to proceed to the steering column area. First of all, the casing is disassembled, for which 2 T20 bolts at the bottom are unscrewed, and then the plastic is snapped off.

You need to lift the top cover and move it towards the dashboard. We are interested in the low/high beam switch, to which the gray block fits.

First, the block itself is removed by pressing on the plastic tab.

In the block you need to swap two wires - the 6th and 7th, marked in white-blue and yellow-red.

But in this case, the layout of the block is slightly different, and therefore you will have to remove the white latch from it, for which you need to pull it towards you.

Afterwards, an awl is inserted into the back of the block and pulled out of the block along with the wire. All that remains is to swap the indicated wires and then reassemble everything in the reverse order.

As a result of the described actions, the Lada Vesta battery should stop discharging.

How to choose a suitable armrest

In order not to fork out money for the best sedan equipment, you can try to choose a suitable armrest for installation in your Lada Vesta. After reading the installation instructions, we can conclude that installing the armrest involves certain difficulties. Some manufacturers have analyzed the market situation and provided the opportunity for car enthusiasts to install not only universal devices, but also specially made accessories for the Lada Vesta. One such manufacturer is Varta.

The developers specifically refused to use plastic in the design of the armrest, since after some time this material becomes deformed and begins to creak during movement. Preference was given to wood; the upholstery, in turn, is only leather.

We list the main advantages of such products:

The comparative ease of installation does not require special skills or special knowledge, so there is no need to contact a service station. To install, you only need to mark the armrest in its place, pressing it all the way to the transmission tunnel itself;
The interior of the cabin is harmoniously emphasized by such a wonderful product. This also applies to the design, which is practically no different from the factory one;
Ease of use is achieved thanks to the specially designed form of the device. The driver's hand will be placed very comfortably.

Many experts recommend that car enthusiasts buy just such armrests for the Lada Vesta.

More information about accessories for the Lada Vesta can be obtained by watching this video:

Analysis of the benefits of an armrest when driving

Drivers' demands for comfort keep pace with the improvement and modernization of modern cars. We ourselves don’t notice how we can no longer do without power steering, reclining seats, air conditioning and an ashtray in the car. One of the indispensable elements of comfort for most motorists in recent years has been the presence of an armrest located between the driver and passenger seats.

This product has gained popularity among drivers for:

comfortable hand position;
multifunctionality;
addition to the interior of the cabin.

For some, this part is important as a support for the hand when frequently changing gears during a long trip, while others love the stand for the presence of cup holders and a small luggage compartment, which gives quick access to necessary things. Lada Vesta, as mentioned above, does not have an armrest in any “non-luxury” configuration. But, taking into account not only the comfort indicators of the elbow support, but also how it looked in the concept version, it immediately becomes clear that this element is far from superfluous.

The presence of an armrest complements and makes the bright and dynamic design of the Lada car with its aggressive, solid interior more complete.

In any case, the armrest has already become so firmly established in the everyday life of most ordinary drivers that many cannot imagine the interior of their car without it. Therefore, those who purchased a Lada in a basic or other configuration that does not reach lux, strive to choose the most suitable armrest option for this model. Let's consider what is offered to consumers in the car accessories market.

Should I put covers on the seats or not?

This is the personal choice of the car owner. But generally, cases have more pros than cons. Of course, if you put cheap covers from the market on beautiful seats, the interior of the car will lose a lot in terms of appearance. But more often it’s the other way around - the standard seat upholstery looks so-so, but good covers give it a more expensive, beautiful look. Often already worn out seats are covered with covers.

Another undeniable advantage of covers is in terms of practicality. They can be removed and washed, wiped, vacuumed. And the standard upholstery underneath is like new. Before selling the car, you can remove the covers if they are frayed and sell the car with apparently new seats. The covers can be changed just like that if you get tired of them. Buy and supply a different color, a different material...

New Lada: Fuel consumption of Lada Vesta

Some pro tips

You can sew zippers on the armrest areas, making it easier to remove and put on the covers. There are brands of cars where the backrests tilt back in individual elements. Normal types of cases will not fit under them.

Some cars have airbags in the end parts of the backrests. If you put covers on top, they will not be able to open. For this reason, the upholstery on such seats will simply have to be cleaned.

If you still decide to make covers, then leave slits at the points where the pillows fly out. They can be stitched with cotton thread, which will tear easily. The work is simple and can be done independently.

AvtoVAZ has equipped some Vesta configurations with an armrest, which is attached to the driver’s seat and has an angle adjustment. According to statistics, about 80% of owners are dissatisfied with this accessory and prefer the classic design (attached to a tunnel). Let's look at how to make an armrest for Vesta yourself.

Required:

remove the standard armrest
plywood 8 mm and 18 mm thick
jigsaw
furniture corners
door hinge 125 mm - 2 pcs (for opening the armrest)
guides 250mm long (so that the armrest can extend)
material for upholstery
glue or furniture stapler

The armrest is made of 8mm plywood, only the back wall is made of 18mm (for installing the hinge of the upper box).

Pieces of cardboard and a felt-tip pen were used to obtain dimensions. If you want to repeat the design, you can use the suggested dimensions of the armrest.

The door hinge was applied from the outside at the end. To prevent anything from sticking out, a rectangular recess was made. Similarly, install the second loop (for the folding part).

Instead of the removable part of the guides, a piece of board was installed. The guides are attached to M6 screws 20mm long, which pass through holes No. 2. The central hinge fastening screw (No. 1) is the guide travel limiter.

The insides of both boxes were covered with carpet. The armrest itself is covered with leatherette.

As a result, a homemade armrest has a number of advantages over a standard one:

there are two boxes for storing things
can be adjusted forward and backward
designed for driver and passenger

Using similar materials, you can make an armrest similar to the one used in the extended Vesta (Signature), which we looked at in the review. Let us remind you that the standard Vesta armrest can be modified or an Alamar armrest can be installed.