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Drivers seat arm rest w/flip top

Hello.

This was good news, Ivan. :-) I am interested in one or probably two for myself. Importing to the US and then ship over to Europe will create extra cost, but it'll probably still be cheaper than what I got from Stabilus a year ago. Maybe we could arrange a group order from the Taiwan vendor, but split the shipping - one to the US and one to Europe? If so, how many are interested here in the eastern hemisphere?
 
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Sure I will see what I can do about ordering a few. Once I get in touch with the manufacturer I will let you know about the us price. As far as getting it to Europe, I cannot think of an easy way. I can check what shipping would be from here at least and see if it is acceptable.
 
I think you should order at least 50 sets of two, to make it worthwhile. Require down payments from all folks and provide a deadline. Provide shipping as part of the total cost per set (perhaps give a reduction on shipping for more than one set.
 
Thanks Gerry for the suggestions. Please everyone keep posting your requests and I will collect them. I will not be able to do anything before July 1 because of my wedding :)
 
OK guys now that craziness in my life has subsided I am about to order some shocks. In the mean time the one I installed in my car is working flawlessly. I remind everyone that a minor modification is needed for both the bottom plastic slit and the end attachments of the shocks. I will try to work that out with the manufacturer, but not sure they can do it. In any case I will keep everyone updated.

Ivan
 
Just talked to the manufacturer, they will try to modify the end fittings for a direct fit. Hope to have them within a few weeks.
 
Just talked to the manufacturer, they will try to modify the end fittings for a direct fit. Hope to have them within a few weeks.

Hello Ivan.

Good news! :-)

I'm in for at least 2 shocks. I'm probably interested in a much higher number, but I'll PM you about that later on.

Congratulation with your marriage BTW.

Cheers
 
Update:

dealing with a very frustrating issue, I sent a PDF with a spec for the end fittings and the company is not receiving it. I tried jpeg format as well. If they don't get it I will order the sample end fittings and modify them here. Still keeping my hopes up though.

Ivan
 
Use a file uplad service and send them the link. Mor send it to m & I'll put it in my Dropbox with a link they can access it with.

Let me know how I can help.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD
 
Ok I finally understood what they want which is an engineering drawing. I'll see what I can do.
 
Moving forward, they got my drawing and should finally start fabricating the product. One of the minor modifications will still be needed but I will post instructions. You can't get it wrong unless you really try. Also don't forget to replace the limiter strips.
 
Moving forward, they got my drawing and should finally start fabricating the product. One of the minor modifications will still be needed but I will post instructions.

Thanks for taking the initiative on this endeavor. Let us know when it's time for placing orders. :grouphug:
 
Moving forward, they got my drawing and should finally start fabricating the product. One of the minor modifications will still be needed but I will post instructions. You can't get it wrong unless you really try. Also don't forget to replace the limiter strips.

This is my first time on this site and I like what I'm reading. I too am interested in this flip top shock. I'd like an estimate of cost and shipping to California. Please advise.
 
I'm going to have to have a closer look at both of our armrests when I get back to north Van but I don't recall either of them having a shock. Or perhaps both of them have gone bad? Either way, I might be down for 2 pairs. Will advise.
 
Order has been paid, just waiting for order to be shipped to me. Will keep everyone posted, but I will make it happen.
 
Order has been paid, just waiting for order to be shipped to me. Will keep everyone posted, but I will make it happen.

Hi ivanned...do you think you will have any extra shocks? If so, I would like to purchase at least one from you. Please let me know. And thanks in advance for your efforts on this issue!

:yourock:
 
Just got the shocks. I will have the end fittings machined so they will require a very minor mod to work which I have already described. I will pm total quotes. The base price will be announced after I get the end links back from the machine shop.
 
Just got the shocks. I will have the end fittings machined so they will require a very minor mod to work which I have already described. I will pm total quotes. The base price will be announced after I get the end links back from the machine shop.

Hello,

Could I purchase an unit from one of you for my 300E, assuming someone has an extra unit for sale? Here are the dimensions of my unit:

compressed length eye to eye = 8cm or 3 1/8".
extended length eye to eye = 10.5 cm or 4 3/16"

Thank you kindly.
 
Just got the shocks. I will have the end fittings machined so they will require a very minor mod to work which I have already described. I will pm total quotes. The base price will be announced after I get the end links back from the machine shop.

good job - cant wait!!
 
OK guys I have the shocks in my hands.


For unmodified the end fittings the price is USD 55/shock shipped in the USA only.

For international shipping the price will be determined depending on the cost of shipping. I will provide you with a tracking number once the items are
shipped.

I will include a PDF or paper instruction for how to modify the end fittings and the plastic slot where the end fittings are going in. The modifications do not change the stock look of any of your car's parts. It is not a very hard procedure, but still be careful.

Here is some hints although I am sure most or all of you know what they are doing more than I:

1. Buy and install new protective strips that were posted earlier on this thread before installing the shock. They are only a couple of bucks from the dealership. If you do not you may overextend the glove box hinges and damage it.

2. It will be easy to remove the old bad shock, but it is a bit more tricky to install the new one because it is harder to compress by finger pressure. Make sure the plastic that holds the hinges is in a good shape and not cracked from old age. Overall placement is not very hard.

3. The shock has the exact pressure specs and total length of the OEM stabilus one. The only difference is the thickness of the end fittings.

I have checked them all, and they seem all functional, but if you get a defective one send it back so that I can confirm the defect and I will replace it. I will not replace items with damaged end fittings due to modification and I do not have extra end fittings so just be careful. I will only replace items if the shock itself breaks within 60 days. These are rated for 10000 cycles at least so they should be good for years unless they fail after the first few.

Just pm me if you are interested in the unmodified version with your name address, and email and paypal me depending on how many you want at ivanned@u.washington.edu.

If you want modified version you have to let me know. I will have to increase the price and it will take some time mostly due to the hurricane power outages.

Thanks

Ivan
 
The replacement gas strut works perfectly & its chrome finish looks better than the original. Thanks, ivanned, for making the connection with the supplier & making this part available.
:goodjob:
 
Ivan,

Thanks Again!
The unit fits perfectly,after following your advice on alignment.
[It is easier to fit the operating arm(Shaft) End piece, first to the Lower. then the Cylinder End to the Upper.]
 
Thank you for the installation feedback. It gets slightly tricky to put everything back together because the new shock is under pressure, but I think you are right this order is best.
 
Does anyone happen to have a readily available dimensional template for the bottom part of this flip-top box? It is begging for a cork or felt adhesive lining. Thank you.
 

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The replacement gas strut works perfectly & its chrome finish looks better than the original. Thanks, ivanned, for making the connection with the supplier & making this part available.
:goodjob:


All,

I took apart my flip top arm rest this morning to start cleaning it up and I found the small Stabilus gas shock is pretty much history. Of course to no surprise as soon as I started to do a little research online about buying a replacement I stumbled across this thread from back in 2012. It looks like I am pretty much SOL unless someone as an extra one of these aftermarket ones they purchased as a spare and would be willing to part with it. So if any of you have one you'd be willing to sell me please shoot me a PM.


Thanks

Eric
 
If I remember correctly, Ivanned had quite a load of them produced. So I'd contact him to see if he has any extras. I'd bet he might. I ordered one from him back in the day, and here it sits on my workbench as one of my next projects to do ... as soon as I put the new "bump stops" on my 560SEC shocks ... and install the new Alpine system in the G-wagen .... and change the G-wagen ATF and brake fluid ..... the list goes on...
 
All,

I took apart my flip top arm rest this morning to start cleaning it up and I found the small Stabilus gas shock is pretty much history. Of course to no surprise as soon as I started to do a little research online about buying a replacement I stumbled across this thread from back in 2012. It looks like I am pretty much SOL unless someone as an extra one of these aftermarket ones they purchased as a spare and would be willing to part with it. So if any of you have one you'd be willing to sell me please shoot me a PM.


Thanks

Eric

I have a very nice black arm rest with a good shock I would sell for $150 plus shipping. I will be in Irvine on the 8th so I could bring it down.
 
I have a very nice black arm rest with a good shock I would sell for $150 plus shipping. I will be in Irvine on the 8th so I could bring it down.

Ken,

Thanks for the offer but other than for the shock the one I bought is actually in pretty good shape and should clean up very well. Also since they are in a compressed state a majority of the time I have to think that simply due to age most of them at this point are in some stage of breaking down it is just a matter of to what degree. Therefore if I cant source a brand new replacement (I sent Ivanned a PM to see if by chance he has a spare he would be willing to sell me) I'll just put the old one back in mine when I reassemble it. Not going to lose much sleep over this issue. :-)
 
OK interesting turn of events. I actually received the following reply email today from my inquiry with Stabilus regarding a OEM replacement shock for the flip top arm rest:

Eric,
We are a distributor for Stabilus and they have asked us to contact you on part number 977934, they have said this has been replaced withpart number 285611. Your cost is $106.00 each and lead time is 4-6 weeks.

Thanks

Mike

Orr & Orr Inc
7301 S. Meade Ave
Bedford Park IL 60638
708-496-9800


He also included the following shop drawing:

View attachment 285611_EN[1].pdf
 
Perhaps another group buy is in order...maybe we could get the price down by half or two thirds if we buy 100 of them or something....
 
Perhaps another group buy is in order...maybe we could get the price down by half or two thirds if we buy 100 of them or something....

You read my mind, I already inquired about a volume discount. As soon as I hear back from him I'll post his response.
 
Hey guys as Gerry said I still have a few left and I am more than happy to help those that need them. Unfortunately I no longer have the ability to modify them for people due to time constraints so they are 55 each. I definitely don't have a hundred so if that many are needed I have to have more made. Let me know and PM me with what you need.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
It is easy to modify the end of the shock with a bench grinder -- I would say it takes about 10-15 minutes, being very careful not to grind off too much material, to make the modification. A bit of grinding (about 1 mm of width total) on the plastic base of the arm rest, where the shock fits through the opening on the lower part, is required. It is done with a Dremel or a file and is not noticeable whatsoever once done. This requires about 1 minute to do.

Otherwise the Ivanned shock is a direct fit.
 
Hey guys as Gerry said I still have a few left and I am more than happy to help those that need them. Unfortunately I no longer have the ability to modify them for people due to time constraints so they are 55 each. I definitely don't have a hundred so if that many are needed I have to have more made. Let me know and PM me with what you need.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

PM sent. Thanks!
 
PM sent! I need one of these.....the gray door switches are not pulling in the ladies like Gerry said they would!
 
Obviously you didn't do a "full Monty" or else you did not install the switches correctly !!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
Guys , FYI, this is still available (well, in mushroom anyway) and not insanely priced either , £143.00
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Seats need cleaning though [emoji1][emoji1]
 
I just ordered a few from Ivan...order soon as his stock is running low.
 

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