yeah it does fold up and sits flush with teh back of the seats straight up, my car came with it and i love it but, be warned it will rub on you ebrake when the brake is pulled up

 

So will they NOT sell you an item if it didn't come in your Cobalt from the factory?

 

Where did you get the carbonfiber cover?

 

I just put this in my 09' last night. I had to remove a few more pieces than was mentioned above. The silver bracket is much wider than the black plastic piece that it has to pass through to be mounted. I ended up taking out the two 7mm side bolts that magically appear when you scoot the seats all the way forward. I then had to remove the other two 10mm bolts holding the piece down in the front. These are just behind the shifter. Then you can pick up the whole plastic surround just enough to squeeze the armrest silver bracket through sideways. Once it's in you have to use some ninja skills to get the forward two screws in. After that though, it really is a quick job. Now that I've done it, I believe I could do it again in 30 minutes or so.

As far as ergonomics. It doesn't rub against the passenger seat at all. It does just a bit with the driver seat but only when you swing the seat forward to let someone in the back. As far as shifting is concerned, your arm is resting on the armrest pretty much during the whole shifting. It is a little awkward at first but I got used to it quickly. You can always swing the armrest up for spirited driving. I have to say though, that having a place to rest your arm while driving down the interstate is awesome. I didn't know what I was missing.

The emergency brake engagement is the most awkward. you have to kind of reach around the front of the armrest and you end up pulling with just a couple fingers because you can't get your thumb around the top. No big deal really though.

The extra storage space is really nice too. You still have the little change place behind the emergency brake and all you lose is the little area in front of the rear cupholders that didn't really hold much anyway.

I hope this helps anyone looking for a little more info on this "upgrade".

 

Really Nice...This was the 1st thing i did with my balt

 

ordered from gmpartsdirect a while ago. best simple mod ever done. when i'm at the track I fold it up and it's out of the way!

 

It fits fine in the SS/TC it just rubs on the seats a little when you lift it up. I'm planning on getting extra cushioning for mine and then wrapping the top in suede to match the seats. Definitely a must have.

 

I transferred the one i bought for my SS/SC to my SS/TC with out issue ..... I'm surprised GM didn't put these in either car to begin with . Shifting is fine , ive never had an issue . The parking brake is weird to pull up the first few times but it's a small price to pay for the arm rest.

 

Ugh. Worst thing I ever did was put that damn armrest in. It's ugly and it gets in the way of everything. When flipped up, it looks ridiculous. I don't need an armrest to get my Pimp-lean on, yo! Big Pimpin' in dat 'Balt!!!!!

 

it actually should be standard, its bad to leave your hand on the shift knob all the time. Extra wear on the synchros. Basic Manual trans ettiquite... sp? Just like not leaving your foot on the clutch all the time

 

i cant post where i leave my right hand when cruising

 

becasue the armrest would distrub my NLS, lol.

 

Old ass thread, but I noticed that there is light fraying on the drivers seat where the lid rubs, going up and down. So it was probably smaller seats or no arm rest when the engineers talked about it.

 

I don't have any rubbage on my SS with the arm rest!

 

Me either on my SS/TC .... But it did hit the side bolster on the Recaro's in my SS/SC . It depended on how the seats were adjusted thou.

People can't win ...... If a newer member starts a new thread they get jumped for not searching .................. Then if they search and dig up a old thread ..... they still catch static.

 

Just installed mine and it does rub a little on the drivers seat but I like the added storage space and its def more fun for long drives and the ebrake is fine if I just pull it till it touches the arm rest it holds the car!

 

OK. I installed mine, but it wasn't that easy. Getting the metal block in there required me to remove 2 small screws that held the trim in place. I was worried about breaking the plastic tabs that holds the cup holder. Getting tightened up required a 10mm wrench because the trim blocks the bolts.

Once that was done, sliding the armrest into place didn't go all that smooth either. It required quite a few attempts, and again making sure the two screws that held the trim were removed was the key. Eventually it slide in.

The drivers side seat rubs up against it even with my fat ass out of the car, but it is definitely more comfortable with it installed. The storage space is very minimal. Just enough for my iPod OR my sunglasses, but not enough for both.

I hope it doesn't damage the seat in the long term... I would not recommend the install in sub zero weather. The plastic trim might break in the install process.

I give it 6 out of 10 overall, and 3 of 10 for the not so easy install.

Mr Al

 

i purchased mine and installed it on my 09 tc,fits fine! its a little awkward because of the handbrake and the armrest being right on top but i'll live with it.its great as you have someplace to rest your arm and can also flip it up out of the way,guess to each's own right!

 

Wow is it wierd that mine came from the factory with one on already? I looked at the options list when I bought it and it even said arm rest on there?

 

Thats a first..... I've never heard of an SS/TC coming from the factory with an armrest . I wonder if dealer installed options show up on the build sheet? Congrats...... in 20 years you will have a special optioned SS 8)

 

old thread is old

 

Woot JUST INSTALLED MY armrest in my 09 ss/tc sedan and yeah u have to remove a few more bolts so u can wiggle(wiggle wiggle wiggle yeah!!!) the center around but it all fit well.

 

the armrest was never offered int the level 4 cars (2005-2007 SS/SC & 2008-2010 SS/TC);
it can be added, and GM selks a kit to put it in.

I believe it was never offered because of tge shorter shifter that the level 4 cars recieved - but I can't be certain of this.

If you want one, add it.

 

hops... didn't notice how old post #1 was....


franken-thread!!!!