It is difficult to imagine a modern car without such a “little thing” as an armrest; its convenience and functionality have been proven by time. Many manufacturers have included an armrest in the list of mandatory equipment for their cars, but some companies still offer it only as an additional option.
Since AvtoVAZ positions the Lada Vesta as a modern and comfortable car, it would be a mistake to “forget” about the armrest for it. Therefore, AvtoVAZ people prudently thought through this issue. The company offers two options for installing the armrest, in a factory version, or the possibility of installing it separately after purchasing the car from an official dealer. Fortunately, the auto accessories market offers several types of armrests from different manufacturers.
Factory armrests in Lada Vesta: features and capabilities
AvtoVAZ produces Lada Vesta cars with comfortable driver's seats. However, only top models – Lada Vesta SV Cross – are equipped with standard armrests. In sedans, armrests are not included in the package - you pay extra for them as an additional equipment.
The elbow support allows you to:
- Relax your right arm in a horizontal position, give it rest on a long trip.
- Relieve tension from the shoulder girdle, reduce the load on the spine.
- Have the necessary little things placed in the box within reach.
A car accessory made of leather, plastic, wood or a combination of several materials gives the interior a stylish look. Functionality depends on the design. Inside the armrest box there are several compartments, a place for a glass and a bottle of water.
Vesta factory armrest
The lid can be folding or sliding: the latter, according to reviews from car owners, is more convenient. There are expensive modifications that give drivers the opportunity to control various electrical equipment of the car.
The box in sedans is attached to the seat and, no matter how it is adjusted, does not change its position relative to the driver. Standard armrests are made based on the interior design, taking into account human anatomy.
Cases made of soft materials
To prevent them from looking baggy, patterns should be made from two types of material - the main one and the mattress one. They are connected together with the wrong sides facing each other.
But just remember that it is necessary to provide an unsewn hole. Foam rubber material cut in advance is inserted through it. The headrest and armrest areas are made without such inserts. All that remains is to stretch them and sew them up. When the seats located at the bottom have plastic linings, they must first be removed. Now you can press the edges of the cover with them, which will make it possible to securely fix it.
And if you want to change the standard armrest...
The installation of a new armrest on Vesta is often carried out as part of interior tuning. Another reason is the breakdown of factory equipment due to an accident or careless handling.
Where to buy a new element:
- From official dealers. You can also order professional installation of spare parts there for an additional fee.
- In the Aliexpress online store, where a model with a detailed description is selected from a photo. By catalog number, the part is written out as a whole or separately as components.
- In auto stores in large cities.
The article number of the Lada Vesta SW elbow stand is 8450031230. The assembled model costs from 10 thousand rubles.
Chinese options for domestic cars
Products originating from the Middle Kingdom are traditionally characterized by their low cost. The most popular are the universal modifications from REX and TORINO. They are plastic boxes. Their installation may require modification of fasteners. The accessories are bulky and may cause inconvenience when using the handbrake lever or seat belt buckle.
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Universal armrests from Russian manufacturers
Russian manufacturers have developed universal armrests that can be installed on more than 100 car models. The design provides access to the seat belt and vehicle control, since the dimensions of the console and standard seats are taken into account.
The best manufacturers:
- Hazard. The models of this brand are made of durable chipboard, which is covered with a leatherette cover. Inside there is a soft lining. The boxes are suitable for storing documents, cell phones, and wallets. The armrest can be installed without additional fasteners in the space between the front seats. The wear-resistant part is located so as not to interfere with the use of seat belts. Its price in auto stores is from 3,000 rubles.
- The cost of this model starts from 7,600 rubles. Distinctive features are a convenient box and a sliding lid, the ability to adjust the tilt. But the armrest leaves less legroom for rear passengers, and its color does not match the car’s tunnel. The Chinese equivalent is cheaper, but the quality of the finish is lower.
- Alamar. The standard armrests are a perfect copy, but the angle of inclination is not adjustable and there is no compartment for small items. The compact model is attached to the driver's seat. This armrest easily moves back when the driver adjusts the seat to suit himself. Price 700 rub. – an additional plus.
- Varta. The wooden body of the armrest is upholstered in leather. To install, just place the part on the console and press on top. This car accessory allows you to store many things. Price – about 2 thousand rubles.
Domestic station wagons are distinguished by ergonomics and beautiful design. The devices can withstand a force of 120 kg. Kit includes mounting hardware.
Material requirements
The fabric for making covers must be of different density and quality. Recommended use:
- eco leather. Eco-leather car seat covers are an excellent option, specially designed for interior finishing work. The material does not lose color and is resistant to bending;
- flock - often used for furniture repair;
- velor - fabric with pile. The advantage is that the material does not fade and retains its shape after washing. The material is inexpensive, but is famous for its durability.
Armrests from foreign cars that can be installed on Vesta
Tunnel-type armrests are included in the Lada Vesta SW equipment starting from 2022 models. Owners who purchased a car earlier find the required part at car wreckers. The way out is a used option (500-800 rubles) or a new stand from foreign cars (3,500 rubles).
Which armrest to put on Vesta
The configuration is suitable for a central armrest with a volumetric box for the Lada Vesta from the Iran Khodro Samand 2003 car. There is a power outlet inside the case; rear row passengers can use an ashtray and air deflectors.
The part is adjusted to its standard location by trimming the handbrake trim. Then the edges of the tunnels of the armrest and the car are connected with a soldering iron. Roughness is smoothed out using putty on the plastic. The aesthetics of the seam is added with primer-enamel from a can.
If the part sits too low, a block covered with leather or textile is placed under it.
Elbow rests from the Toyota, Volkswagen, BMW brands make the car exclusive. Accessories are placed in the tunnel, in the correct location relative to the handbrake. In rare cases, the lever is shifted from the center towards the driver. To do this, a cut is made in the lining: the modification does not affect the functionality of the brake system.
Difficulties
In expensive trim levels, the Lada Vesta sedan is equipped with an armrest. However, this is a rather peculiar device. It is mounted in the back of the driver's seat and is intended exclusively for the driver. Naturally, he does not have a box for small items.
Standard armrest Lada Vesta
This decision by AvtoVAZ as a whole turned out to be very controversial, since many people are not satisfied with this element, and it is replaced with an analogue.
However, there is a category of owners who are ready to create a homemade armrest for the Lada Vesta in accordance with their needs and preferences. Moreover, now, thanks to the instructions posted by one of the “Drayvovites” named Peter, who is known in the community under the nickname pittbull777, everyone can make such an armrest.
Installing an armrest on a Lada Vesta with your own hands
Standard handles - narrow and without niches - do not always suit drivers. Hence the desire to replace the armrest from a Lada Vesta with parts from foreign cars with your own hands.
How to remove the standard armrest
If the car owner has some metalworking skills, then the handle for the seat can be removed independently.
How to remove the armrest on Vesta:
- Unfasten and bend the cover to gain access to the fixing screw.
- Using a Torx 40 wrench, unscrew the fasteners.
- The armrest must be moved to the upper position, pulled towards you, and removed.
Sometimes only the cover is removed to change the casing if it has become unusable. The same need arises when replacing seat covers - in order to maintain a uniform interior style.
Video on how to remove the armrest cover on a Lada Vesta and change the upholstery:
Installation of the central armrest
The central armrest provides rest for the driver's arm, and the passenger can also rest on the wide one. There are many modifications of elbow supports; accordingly, installation methods vary. An illustrative example would be the installation of the ArSolid 2 central armrest on a Lada Vesta:
- Dismantle the floor tunnel lining by unscrewing 2 clips of the decorative trim.
- Use a 13mm wrench to unscrew 2 nuts.
- Install the metal bracket from the ArSolid 2 kit and screw it with two nuts.
- The handbrake lever is raised to the top position and inserted into a special hole in the armrest.
- The part has 2 fixing pins; they are inserted into the standard tunnel holes.
- The armrest is screwed inside the box with two screws.
The fastening points are covered with a decorative cover.
The rear armrest in Vesta is available in a folding version. There is no hatch behind this accessory, making it more convenient to transport long items.
The handle for the chair is modified precisely for this purpose. You need to cut out the plastic insert in the back and unfasten the upholstery. Then it is difficult to give the interior a neat look. Such tuning of the rear armrest in the Lada Vesta is irrational and does not justify the costs.
Installing door armrests
There is no support for the driver's left hand in the Vesta, so the elbow has to be placed on the hard plastic door handle.
Door armrests of Lada Vesta
You can make a simple design yourself:
- They make a drawing - apply paper to a pen, trace the outline, cut it out.
- A part is cut out from hardboard or fiberboard using a template.
- Cover it with foam rubber.
- Covered with leatherette.
- Glue in place with double-sided tape.
Both surfaces - the door and the fixture - are degreased with anti-silicone before joining. It takes 1.5 hours to complete the modification, and the costs are small.
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.
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.
