Stu

Car is a 2005 and the arm that holds the cup in the passenger side cup holder ( the outside arm ) needs to be tightened as it no longer holds the cup in place. Is there a fix / adjustment for this .... or do I need another cupholder ? Thanks

thellmer

Just remove it and tighten the screw. Easy-peasy. Lift off the shifter chrome trim with a credit card or plastic body panel pry bar...pop out the seat heater panel with simply your fingers after opening the RH storage drawer...then lift out the center flat console trim panel with your fingers or a paint-bucket lid opener wrapped in black tape. Once you remove the flat panel you will see the 4 screws to remove the arm rest. Easy. Once you have the arm-rest out in your hands, look under the arms and you will see a phillips flat flange screw.

Stu

Thank you !!!!! ​​​​​​​Is it possible to tighten the screws without taking the whole unit out ?

thellmer

Unfortunately no. I tried literally every 90 degree very short Phillips-head driver I had. There just isn't enough clearance and it is also at a backwards angle. But literally 2 minutes to pop off the bezel and seat heater panels and flat panel and it's out. I could do it with my eyes closed at this point :-)

Stu

@Thellmer, thanks ! Looks like I will try as soon as it warms up.

BizEagle

thellmer, I have a question about your LS430 Cupholder post. I need to replace the cupholder assembly on my 2003 LS430. If I follow your recommendation for removing the console cover, will the screws that hold the assembly in place be visible and easily accessible? One of the cup holder arms broke (a 5 year old stepped on it) so I am ordering a replacement unit for $235. Love this car except a few gremlins I need to fix.
Thanks,
BizEagle

thellmer

Yes, the 4 screws/bolts that hold the entire cup holder assembly in place are readily visible with the center wood panel removed and the cop holder pushed into the "in" position. Take out the 4 screws then let the cup holder "out" and it pulls right out.