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I made a pit-stop to my local Lexus dealership and asked the service manager for help. He was very accomodating and printed out their service work instructions. He then pointed out the 4 locations for the golden-colored screws. He also informed me their service work instructions recommended a # 6 lock washer for the 4 golden-colored screws. The best way to tighten the screws is to use a magnetized head Philips # 2 screwdriver.
My armrest lid is now working beautifully.
Thanks.
Picked up a 03 with 144k miles has same problem. I was able to follow this thread to fix my problem. It's the same issue as others, all 4 gold screws were loose. The hardest part is to tilt the box to remove the metal bracket because the cigarette lighter was plugged in. I had my wife help me out. Took about an hour to get it done. If I can do it, you all can do it 😊
2005, 4 silver screws. Unplugged the cigerette lighter and unscrewed the light to get the console out. 45~ minutes being more patient then usually so that I would not loose a screw like I usually do.
Great thread, thank you all who contributed info and pictures.
Wow, just finished removing my console Box yesterday and found your instructions this morning. Lucky For me I did it the way you all did it. I removed the lighter and light cables from the back seat too. I stuck my phone down in and took a little video so I could see where the wiring connectors unclipped. My problem is a rattle that turns out to be under the console box or under the floor. (I put separate thread on this yesterday) When I put it back together I put a little gorilla tape on the lip of the 10mm bolts and socket to keep them from falling into the console box surround while I replaced them.
My console lid did not feel loose or misaligned in any way at 150k miles, but I had a slight rattle when the lid was down. I followed the steps in this thread, as well as adding some felt tape to the latch contact points when I had everything apart. Two of my 4 screws were about 1/4 loose and the other two seemed mostly snug.
It's really rather easy. I've done it three times now because the screws keep loosening themselves. I missed the part about using #6 lock washers as I've never been to the end of this thread before today. I actually ended up using Loctite 425 the last time and hopefully it will retain the screws for more than a few months. It isn't a metal threadlocker that disintegrates plastic, more of a superglue that is removable. It's like blue loctite for plastic surfaces that may or may not be in contact with metal. Coming up on two months with no wiggle.
What sort of lock washers are people using for this - split ring, toothed, ... ?
I did this fix on my 2001 LS430, using some split ring lock washers, which were the only ones of appropriate size that I had on hand. The sole difficult part was disconnecting the two electrical connectors at the front of the box. Many thanks to OP!
What sort of lock washers are people using for this - split ring, toothed, ... ?
I did this fix on my 2001 LS430, using some split ring lock washers, which were the only ones of appropriate size that I had on hand. The sole difficult part was disconnecting the two electrical connectors at the front of the box. Many thanks to OP!
Likely the split rings, nordlocks aren't very common and at such a small size, they really wouldn't be much more impactful than split lock washers.
Add another successful fix added to the list. I was worried I would have this thing torn apart and not have the proper screws to replace.
However, my fears were totally unfounded. I took out the box, lifted it out and the thing sounded like a maraca when I shook it.
All 4 screws were missing and just rolling around in the lid for me to find.
I suppose that explains why nobody defined a screw replacement in the thread.
Thanks again.
Add me the list of successful repairs thanks to this thread. Previous owner said she could never get the console open since she purchased the car. My wife accidentally figured out it would open if you pushed from the back while pressing the button and lifting. I've had the car a month and decided to see if it was a common problem which lead me here. Knocked it out this morning and all is well now. One screw was out on each side and the others were loose. Added #6 split lock washers to all and reassembled. Thanks OP and others who contributed!
It's really rather easy. I've done it three times now because the screws keep loosening themselves. I missed the part about using #6 lock washers as I've never been to the end of this thread before today. I actually ended up using Loctite 425 the last time and hopefully it will retain the screws for more than a few months. It isn't a metal threadlocker that disintegrates plastic, more of a superglue that is removable. It's like blue loctite for plastic surfaces that may or may not be in contact with metal. Coming up on two months with no wiggle.
Pleased to report that almost 18 months later, the Loctite 425 is still holding strong on the 05, no wiggles at all. My 06 had just the slightest bit of play in it so it got the same treatment late last year, found the screws were maybe 1/4-1/2 a turn loose. The 425 also saved my butt on a partially stripped screw for the driver side dash under cover, it wouldn't tighten all the way and the washer would rattle/vibrate and make a grievous noise at speeds above 45 mph.
