[Kap]

It became second-nature to keep my elbow tucked in when shifting to avoid bumping the armrest, but driving with a winter coat reminds me of how inconvenient it really is.

I personally wouldn't go through the trouble of swapping out the whole console, but would love to see a "stubby" aftermarket cover that doesn't have this kind of overhang.

(I hope it's ok to repost this image of you, BRGT350... it's the best example that I could find!)

Also, I think a short shift kit may help or even alleviate the issue altogether. Has anyone had luck with that?

 

[Firesail]

I have had a short shift kit in mine since the night I got it. I have never had a problem with my elbow contacting the console.

 

[Ronbo]

Raising the seat higher will help your elbow clear the armrest.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[Kap]

Raising the seat higher will help your elbow clear the armrest.

True, and I initially sat higher in the car to accommodate the armrest, but when I dial in my seating position to where it's most comfortable, my elbow bumps. :meh:

I have had a short shift kit in mine since the night I got it. I have never had a problem with my elbow contacting the console.

My question was aimed more at someone who used to bump elbows and has since installed a short shift kit, but I'm glad that it's never been an issue for you. Not everyone has this problem with the armrest, since it's due to a combination of seating position and body proportions, and you might have been a "non-bumper" either way. I'm thinking of installing a short shift kit regardless, but if it changes the throw enough to make this a non-issue altogether, then that's even more of an incentive to get it done.

 

[BRGT350]

no problem about using my picture, that is why I have them out there for people to use. I was 100% dead set against the arm rest, which had rumblings back in 2009. I found quickly with the Fiesta Movement ST in 2013, I adjusted my arm position and hitting the armrest with my elbow is a rare occurance. Now, I do think that adding a shorter shifter will make the issue more present. However, my brother installed a Mountune short shifter in his 1.0L EB with an armrest and reported no issues with the armrest. We are both very short and hate the armrest, but he hasn't reported any issues. Even with not hitting my elbow on shifts, I strongly dislike the armrest and the console. The biggest reason is the rear most cupholder is too far back for me to put my coffee cup when I get into the car in the morning (my 2011 had the rear cup holder where the arm rest is). My coffee sits near the shifter and when the hand brake is used, which is a daily thing in the winter, my coffee cup flies out of the cup holder.

 

[OutOfDemo]

Well, I found something at another site showing a possible solution, but since I don't have enough likes on my posts, and apparently the entire world now revolves on the scoring of one's comments, I unfortunately can't put the link here. And I also can't spell out "dott com" because God forbid I try to contribute anything. Is this really where we are at now?

Okay, go over to Fiesta Forum and look up a thread about taking the console apart to adjust the e-brake handle. It has a nice step-by-step guide for taking apart the console. Then, go to ebay, and look up "fiesta center console." From the results you can see a couple of complete center consoles for sale. And if I was not smoking anything at the time, I believe I have seen one with illumination sans armrest. Does anyone have access to a parts catalog to find out what I would need to order new parts to do the job?

 

[BRGT350]

2011-2013 Fiesta's had the illuminated cup holders and no armrest. I have yet to see a 2014+ Fiesta without an armrest. I have also had consoles out of a 2011 and 2015, and the biggest difference seems to be the moving of the wire harnesses for the SD card, USB, and 1/8" jack. It seemed like the fasteners were in the same spots, but there was a 4 year gap between removing the parts.

 

[ryst]

I wonder if this is only an issue with the recaros, or it's a function of how my body is proportioned, but I've never had an issue with the armrest while shifting, I never even noticed it.

Also when i saw the threads about 'swapping' the armrest, I assumed it was people who wanted a BIGGER armrest, and not just the tiny elbow rest that we get now.... I guess when I get in my car today I'll see why my arm doesn't interfere with the arm rest, My guess is that it has to do with the non-recaro sets, plus my long torso, plus my short arms.

 

[BRGT350]

As I have said in the past, I was 100% against the armrest since talk of it began in 2009. However, once driving with the armrest, I have not nearly the issues I thought I would have. I simply got used to it being there. I am also short and the seat is farther up in the car, so that might help. I have driven around 5 different Fiesta ST's, both with and without the Recaro seats, and have been ok. I do think body size has a lot to do with it being more or less of an issue.

 

[ryst]

I do think body size has a lot to do with it being more or less of an issue.

I am 5'11" BUT my torso is the size of someone who is 6'1" to 6'3"... but my arms are short, like my legs, probably proportional to someone who is 5'7"... this means I sit closer to the pedals and my hand to elbow length is short. I'll try to take a picture of how much clearance I have on the arm rest from 3rd gear... but I imagine it's a lot.

(to give an example for comparison, I am 5'11" but I wear a 29" inseam)

 

[[email protected]]

I had an armrest in my 2004 ZX3 and hated it, smashed my elbow on it more times than I care to think about.

 

[Kap]

I am 5'11" BUT my torso is the size of someone who is 6'1" to 6'3"...

I'm an inch shorter, but with proportionately longer limbs (32" inseam) and therefore a proportionately shorter torso than you. As a result, my seat's further back, which makes the armrest more pronounced, and my elbow is probably lower from the shoulder and further back from my hand. That kind of makes a perfect storm for bumping elbows, as mine practically touches it when I'm in neutral.

I also have the base seats, and have learned to accommodate the armrest by keeping my elbow tucked in close to my body when shifting into the even gears (something I probably couldn't do with the bolstering of the Recaros), but that's not really biomechanically ideal, and harder to do when wearing a thick coat.

I've thought about getting a taller shift knob, but that would only raise the height of my hand and not the level where my elbow naturally drops. I could also raise my seat, as Ronbo mentioned above, but I'd need to bump it up a considerable amount to clear the armrest, and it feels really awkward for me to sit that high in the car. If I could somehow fabricate a cover to replace it that would sit flush with that part of the console without the height or front lip of the armrest, that would be perfect for me.

 

[OutOfDemo]

The aggravation I am experiencing is based completely on geometry. For others it might be not problem. For me, it is significant enough that I have considered getting rid of the car. I've been hunting on ebay for a console with illumination, and as soon as I find it I will be snapping it up. I would just remove the armrest for now, but the hinge mechanism seems to be pretty deep inside the console. Removing the lid itself does nothing for me. I can handle not having the SD car slot since I do not have navigation.

 

[Pedro]

A quick fix is just opening the arm rest and driving. However if you brake hard then the armrest will come back down and hit your arm. Maybe someone with a 3D printer could make a "flat/thin" armrest lid cover.

 

[OutOfDemo]

Doing that helps for sure. It still leaves the frame of the console right on my elbow/funny bone. As soon as a I find a console with lighting, I'll be replacing it.

 

[WestcoastST]

I have the added problem of an artificial elbow joint, so when I hit my elbow, it kinda hurts. I leave the arm rest open when I drive. It sometimes comes down when I brake hard, but I've learned to live with it open. I plan on modding the armrest to make it lower and maybe longer, so I can actualy rest my arm on it. One of my pet peeves left about this car.

 

[OutOfDemo]

Does anyone on here work at a Ford dealership? I would like to talk about the parts needed to make this happen. I noticed on the expanded diagram previously posted, the part near the shifter "19C149" is the same on bother. On the non-ST cars it should a spot for USB and Line-in as well. It should be a different part number.

 

[[email protected]]

Does anyone on here work at a Ford dealership? I would like to talk about the parts needed to make this happen. I noticed on the expanded diagram previously posted, the part near the shifter "19C149" is the same on bother. On the non-ST cars it should a spot for USB and Line-in as well. It should be a different part number.

I work for Tasca Ford, I've got about 25 years in Ford parts. The numbers in the illustration are just callout or "basic" numbers, not complete part numbers.

-Steve

 

[[email protected]]

I believe you'd need everything circled in red below, can't promise anything until I've worked through the conversion with someone though.

 

[BRGT350]

The USB and Line-In jacks are located in the same spot on the non-ST cars with arm rest. On cars without armrest (2011-13) the USB is located just behind the shifter.

2011-13 non-armrest console
2011 Ford Fiesta For Sale with Sync by Bryan Redeker BRGT350, on Flickr

2014+ with armrest console
Fiesta ST Hofma Park June 2013 082 by Bryan Redeker BRGT350, on Flickr