How To Remove Central Armrest To Get At Handbrake?

[Dunkelmann]

I'm trying to adjust the handbrake on a 2007 Avensis and need to remove the central armrest and facia behind the gear stick. I've found and removed 4 bolts - 2 inside the armrest and two at the rear bottom outside. The whole thing seems to be in two parts - a large one extending right to the sides of the main console holding the radio etc., and one sitting on top of this surrounding the gearstick.

I'm stuck! The bottom one seems to be held fast at the front and I don't want to pull at it until I know what it is stuck with. The one around the gearbox just won't budge although I've released it at the back from the large one - there were two spring clips that I've managed to lose inside.

Do I give up and pay through the nose for a small piece of work or can some one tell me how to persevere without breaking or snapping the plastic?

[frape]

I'm trying to adjust the handbrake on a 2007 Avensis and need to remove the central armrest and facia behind the gear stick. I've found and removed 4 bolts - 2 inside the armrest and two at the rear bottom outside. The whole thing seems to be in two parts - a large one extending right to the sides of the main console holding the radio etc., and one sitting on top of this surrounding the gearstick.

I'm stuck! The bottom one seems to be held fast at the front and I don't want to pull at it until I know what it is stuck with. The one around the gearbox just won't budge although I've released it at the back from the large one - there were two spring clips that I've managed to lose inside.

Do I give up and pay through the nose for a small piece of work or can some one tell me how to persevere without breaking or snapping the plastic?

Take a look at the free toyouta publications at

http://techdoc.toyota-europe.com/aim_Searc...p;strAccGroup=0

I think (but I am not 100% sure) that one of the installation manuals do have the instructions on how to remove the armrest.

Frank

[Dunkelmann]

I think (but I am not 100% sure) that one of the installation manuals do have the instructions on how to remove the armrest.

Frank

Thanks Frank. I found it at:

http://techdoc.toyota-europe.com/aimupload...000%20361-2.pdf (bluetooth hands free RHD)

My local Toyota garage wanted £41 because it was a ramp job of half an hour - all I want to to is to lessen the travel on the lever!

I'll give it another try.

[moonstone mart]

dunkelmann,

You have probably sorted it now but you dont have to remove the whole of the centre console. Only the gearlever surround/handbrake surround needs removing to adjust the cable.

The handbrake shoes may also want adjusting too really.

Mart

[Dunkelmann]

dunkelmann,

You have probably sorted it now but you dont have to remove the whole of the centre console. Only the gearlever surround/handbrake surround needs removing to adjust the cable.

The handbrake shoes may also want adjusting too really.

Mart

Cheers Mart, I'm off to France at the end of the week and I didn't want to chance doing anything before then. I'll maybe have a go after I come back.

I see from the diagrams that the gear lever surround just seems to prise off and the handbrake surround is held by four clips. I am awfully wary of sticking things in to lever them off in case I break something or damage the plastic!

[stighenning]

Hi, Guys and girls ? ;)

I'm new here, but I'm owner of a Avensis 2,0 SOL, 2003 model (norway)

A few months back I changed my back break discs due to break-strips.

There by I had to adjust the hand break.

I have taken pictures. But I'm not allowed to post them I see..

(pictures whould be great, if just moderators could allow it)

Relinking pics to web sites, often tend to make the pictures appear as an "X" after some years.. :(

ps; you do not have to remove the armrest, just the 2 front parts.. (thats what I did :))

/ Stig Henning

[moonstone mart]

dunkelmann,

When you remove the gearlever surround (remove gearknob and pull the surround with your hands) you will find 2 screws that need undoing. When these are out you can simply pull the handbrake surround off. Prob best to take it easy as its the first you have done but it will come off quite easily when all screws are out.

To adjust the cable you will need a deep 10mm socket and a 10mm spanner. Use the spanner to hold the lower nut and use the long 10mm socket to undo the top nut. Take top nut off and using deep socket tighten the lower nut until the handbrake travel is as you require. Refit top nut (whilst holding lower nut with spanner) and tighten.

Refit all console parts and job done!

Mart

[Dunkelmann]

Thanks Mart - will have a go when I get back. It takes 6 or 7 clicks to come on decently, but reading another thread that seems to be in spec although not what I was used to with rear drum brakes on the old Avensis. Maybe I'm worrying needlessly.