Hi,
as it is getting harder to find good used Focus drivers seats with an adjustable armrest try reairing yours first, its not that difficult.
04 Focus Ghia broken armrest ratchet repair.
1. Pull lumbar support wheel off ( no clips or screws)
2. Push in between armrest and seat side to find metal "u" clip pull out , this releases the complete armrest.
3. Pull armrest towards passenger seat until free, no clips or screws, lumber support extension tube will also come out, just keep pulling.
4. Remove armrest cover and padding carefully.
5. Take armrest completely apart, (take photos)
6. You will find bottom tooth or teeth and leaf spring have snapped off.
7. The reason for taking the armrest completely apart is that you can now MIG weld the broken part back in place and grind off excess. This also allows you to MIG the broken part to the steel armrest tube giving it almost unbreakable strength !!!! much better than the original part. If you look closely you will see that the ratchet teeth are only tacked to the steel tube leaving the bottom part without any support making it fragile !!!!
8. Re-assemble the armrest (give it a spray of grease on the ratchet mechanism first).
9. If you broke the zip taking the cover off (like I did) stitch it back together with small black cable ties fixed from the inside, or give it to the other half to sew up.
10. Re-fit the "u" clip to the seat first.
11. Fit the armrest and give it a good thump to seat the "u" clip.
12. Re-fit lumbar support wheel.
Job done !!!!!!!!
Redex
REDEX, June 2015
