dme361

Like many others, the leather on the driver-side armrest on my '03 RX is showing its age.

Has anyone ever tried switching the driver-side armrest with the passenger-side armrest? They look the same and if we could flip them over, the cracked and worn side would be on the bottom. If this is possible, would the armrests go up or down?

Thanks

hypervish

I think it would work, it's something I wish I tested when I had mine off to put on the vinyl cover.

sktn77a

iTrader: (2)

The covers are a slightly asymmetrical mirror image of each other and that will translate into a different shape when you switch them over. However, they may be close enough to stretch/shrink fit adequately.

Good idea - I may try it on mine - the tops are worn but not the bottoms.

2KHarrier

I was wondering this myself, but I assume the armrest, once switched, would rotate down, instead of up. Also, there's a slight curve on the lower side of the armrest, so it may not feel very comfortable to lean on...

pilot2

We need a volunteer to plunge ahead...

dme361

I'm willing to try, but it's actually my son's car and I'm not sure he's willing to let me try. That's why I'm trying to get extra information.

I thought about the rotation, up and down, and wondered where the cog/stop was located on the armrest or part of the seat back.

sktn77a

iTrader: (2)

Ah, I was thinking of just removing the armrest covers and switching them (but not the entire armrest).

hypervish

The stop is on the seat.

2KHarrier

Good to know...

mckellyb

I've seriously considered doing just this, however....

A couple of weeks ago, I bought a set of these: http://www.ebay.com/itm/181204165359...84.m1439.l2649

Worth. Every. Cent.

No, they don't cover 100%, but I don't notice where they don't.

Also, the armrests are, I believe, vinyl.

The worst part is the grain doesn't match perfectly. Then again, our RX is now 12 years old...so it's not like anyone would care.

hypervish

Should have bought the ones I showed in this DIY, they cover everything and provide a tight fit: https://www.clublexus.com/forums/rx-...ation-diy.html

AND! I only paid $23.50!!!!

DeadRX

Hey guys! I'm willing to try in my car!!! Can someone just reply with a DIY, or explain to me exactly how hard to rip them off. If it's not simple, count me out, but I did just clean my TB and IACV last week, so I know I'm good for simplicity!

*EDIT--awkward. Hypervish, I did read your post above, but I didn't click into the thread. Now I did. There's the simplicity.

Will try and be right back guys!

DeadRX

Update:

I had an errand to run, so I figured I would try to swap the armrests.

I followed the DIY to put a cover on the armrests, referencing removal of the armrests. See here: https://www.clublexus.com/forums/rx-...ation-diy.html

Then...I swapped them and reattached them.

They're slightly angled in, but I do find my elbow enjoys the leather more..

See pictures. I will get a pic from the side, to show the slight downward angle.




Not sure what happened to driver side cap, but I'll take another whack later.

(nevermind the foam between myself and the seat.)

They appear more angled in than they really are.

Let me know what YOU think.

hypervish

IMO that looks very weird (maybe because I'm used to it looking otherwise), I rather have cracked leather than have it look like that.

Best option would be to just buy a vinyl cover.

sktn77a

iTrader: (2)

So you just swapped them over and turned them upside down? Is the angle just an optical illusion or are they angled in more than originally?