Split Armrest Issue

[blwnsmoke]

Hi - I just picked up a new-to-me 2013 Ltd last month that I absolutely love so far . I've been having fun trying to make the collision assist alarm go off and testing the lane-assist stuff by taking my hands off the wheel - it works!

Anyway, last week the armrest on my drivers door split in two places. I search around online and found this thread. I'd like to try to repair but don't know what to try - has anyone posted photos of their glue or stitching repairs?

For those who have repaired with superglue - are you gluing the vinyl to the foam or actually gluing the narrow seam together?

For those using thread, are you following the fake stitching pattern somehow? Or just stitching anyway you can?

Has anyone tried a hot glue gun? I'm thinking it may hold better then superglue and would use a color glue that matches my black interior.

Thanks,
-Scott

Are you outside the 3yr/36 warranty? If not, warranty will cover it but I know 2013s are approaching if not passed the 3 year mark now.

 

[Onoahimahi]

Are you outside the 3yr/36 warranty? If not, warranty will cover it but I know 2013s are approaching if not passed the 3 year mark now.

Yeah - I've got 48K miles on it.

 

[Junkmann2]

The best suggestion that I can give anyone that wants to repair this at their own expense, is to talk to the dealership used car manager, and find out if they have a vinyl repair person or company that they use. I have had vinyl trim that had cigarette burns, cuts, etc. repaired in the past. The process is that they use a liquid to fill in the damaged area, and then smooth it with specialized tools and add the grain if it is required. Once the repair is dry, they spray the area with a vinyl paint that bonds to both the old and new material. Upon close examination you might notice the repair, since the stitching will no longer be evenly spaced, but for the most part, the repair will be invisible to all but those that know about the repair being done.
A quick Google search brought up this franchise.... http://www.drvinyl.com/

 

[Onoahimahi]

....

Anyway, last week the armrest on my drivers door split in two places. I search around online and found this thread. I'd like to try to repair but don't know what to try - has anyone posted photos of their glue or stitching repairs?

For those who have repaired with superglue - are you gluing the vinyl to the foam or actually gluing the narrow seam together?

For those using thread, are you following the fake stitching pattern somehow? Or just stitching anyway you can?

Has anyone tried a hot glue gun? I'm thinking it may hold better then superglue and would use a color glue that matches my black interior.

Thanks,
-Scott

Update - I fixed my armrest using waxed thread and made a Youtube video of the process since I couldn't find any other repair videos or photos online. I used waxed thread because it allows a square knot to slip after it is tight. (I explain this in the video and you can try it with a piece of waxed dental floss to see what I mean.)

The video is a bit long and a bit redundant so I suggest watching the first stitch and then skipping to the end to see the finished product (15:24) or the middle (12:30).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XZAWMVeilKo

 

[grrtrainman]

Are you kidding me ??? What a superb job, here’s a guy that is a real DIY expert. I doubt if there’s a shop that could do better. Kudos !

 

[blwnsmoke]

Fantastic job!!

 

[TMack2300]

Drivers arm rest is a piece of crap. Anyone else rip?

Drivers side arm rest just split and ford wont cover. Thats BS. Cheap crap

 

[blwnsmoke]

Drivers side arm rest just split and ford wont cover. Thats BS. Cheap crap

I'm assuming your post is a serious post.. if so, a simple search of "armrest" brings up the thread that has a very lengthy discussion on this.

Your thread has been merged with it.

Without seeing pics I am guessing it is at the seam. If so, Ford covers it for 3yr/36k under the bumper to bumper warranty.

 

[TMack2300]

I'm assuming your post is a serious post.. if so, a simple search of "armrest" brings up the thread that has a very lengthy discussion on this.

Your thread has been merged with it.

Without seeing pics I am guessing it is at the seam. If so, Ford covers it for 3yr/36k under the bumper to bumper warranty.

Yes there was a reason to my madness....
Not enough time was one of them.
I apologize for the poor etiquette
I paid the $100. I was hoping i could get the ford rep here to help me out with the dealer.

 

[peterk9]

Yes there was a reason to my madness....
Not enough time was one of them.
I apologize for the poor etiquette
I paid the $100. I was hoping i could get the ford rep here to help me out with the dealer.

From the 'Out of Office' thread;
Hey Ford Fam,

We will be away from the forum temporarily. If you guys need help, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us via Twitter or Facebook. If you need immediate assistance, please contact your dealer or the Customer Relationship Center. For the CRC, dial 1-800-392-3673 OR 1-800-232-5952 (TDD for the Hearing Impaired).

Thanks for your patience!

Tricia

Peter

 

[TMack2300]

From the 'Out of Office' thread;
Hey Ford Fam,

We will be away from the forum temporarily. If you guys need help, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us via Twitter or Facebook. If you need immediate assistance, please contact your dealer or the Customer Relationship Center. For the CRC, dial 1-800-392-3673 OR 1-800-232-5952 (TDD for the Hearing Impaired).

Thanks for your patience!

Tricia

Peter

WOW, thank you Peter9
I dont think im gonna bother anyone. Just heard from dealer this is a common issue and was hoping to get Ford to cover. Looks like i will just pay the $100 the dealer said i had to pay.

 

[blwnsmoke]

WOW, thank you Peter9
I dont think im gonna bother anyone. Just heard from dealer this is a common issue and was hoping to get Ford to cover. Looks like i will just pay the $100 the dealer said i had to pay.

I am surprised your esp is covering a split seam.. sucks you have to pay $100 but much better then $600+.

 

[peterk9]

WOW, thank you Peter9
I dont think im gonna bother anyone. Just heard from dealer this is a common issue and was hoping to get Ford to cover. Looks like i will just pay the $100 the dealer said i had to pay.

You are lucky. According to the ESP (PremiumCare) coverage brochure, items like this are NOT covered.

Items Not Covered
Other Components and Repairs – Fabric, liners, fasteners,
carpets, dash pad, wiper blades, knobs, trim, upholstery, physical damage or
cosmetic issues, repairs covered by manufacturer recalls,

Peter

 

[TMack2300]

I am surprised your esp is covering a split seam.. sucks you have to pay $100 but much better then $600+.

I feel much better now thank you blwnsmoke
The dealer has been good to me for years.
I just thought it mighta been a huge problem and they were gonna fix it outta the kindness of their heart. Silly me!

 

[peterk9]

I feel much better now thank you blwnsmoke
The dealer has been good to me for years.
I just thought it mighta been a huge problem and they were gonna fix it outta the kindness of their heart. Silly me!

They must be doing it "outta the kindness of their heart" because it isn't covered under your ESP as mentioned in my post above. Many have tried and failed.

Peter

 

[blwnsmoke]

They must be doing it "outta the kindness of their heart" because it isn't covered under your ESP as mentioned in my post above. Many have tried and failed.

Peter

Only thing I can think of is that they are claiming it as something else (different fsilure). Would have to see how it is written on the work order.

 

[slsmith2206]

I have the same split in my 2012 explorer driver door. My dealer quoted me $700. I belive this is outrageous when so many of these vehicles are having the same issue.

 

[peterk9]

I have the same split in my 2012 explorer driver door. My dealer quoted me $700. I belive this is outrageous when so many of these vehicles are having the same issue.

I wonder if the 2016 model has the same type of armrest?

Peter

 

[blwnsmoke]

I have the same split in my 2012 explorer driver door. My dealer quoted me $700. I belive this is outrageous when so many of these vehicles are having the same issue.

The door panels retail for $750 and are about $450 dealer cost. You can get them online for about $500 plus shipping.. No way would I pay a dealer to do it since it is only a couple screws and the door panel pops off and easily reinstalled.

 

[kk239]

I wonder if the 2016 model has the same type of armrest?

Peter

From pics I've seen of the 2016 interior it appears they've dropped that faux stitch lower on the arm rest so it's no longer directly on the corner edge. By having it on the corner on the earlier Gen 5 models, it's most likely created a weak point in the center of the pattern if folks spend a lot of time leaning on the arm rest. Wonder if colder climates have anything to do with it as well, where maybe the material, because it's stiffer in the cold, cracks/splits easier.

What I don't get is the amount people having this issue. I'm a big guy but find the inboard seating positions me too far away from the drivers door armrest to spend any length of time leaning on it. For the folks that have split their armrest, do you spend a lot of time with your elbow on the armrest?