Have needed a new armrest for the 82 300TD since the front top corner is torn. I could either buy a new cover ($75) or buy a used armrest.
Got a used one, in very good shape from a guy on ebay ($45).
But the mount and size are different than what I have on the wagon.
Below are pictures of the new one and the old one that came of the car that I bought in 1990. To my knowledge the seats and armrest are original to the car. My parts book, dated 02/82, shows the new armrest.
I called the dealer and their computer shows the same part for the 300D and 300TD for an 82.
My daughters cars armrest, 1983 240D, is just like mine.
The new armrest uses a spring tension to control it's 90 degreee movement. Mine and my daughters is free swinging and has a lock when at the full verticle position.

Sooooooooooooooo. Was there a change in the armrest???? Who has what and what year is your car?

The new one will not mount to the frame and is to tall for the wood box we have in the carpeted area. I'm trying to figure this out so I can fix this unsightly armrest.

Thanks

Dave

Attached Thumbnails

         

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1970 220D, owned 1980-1990
1980 240D, owned 1990-1992
1982 300TD, owned 1992-1993
1986 300SDL, owned 1993-2004
1999 E300, owned 1999-2003
1982 300TD, 213,880mi, owned since Nov 18, 1991- Aug 4, 2010 SOLD
1988 560SL, 100,000mi, owned since 1995
1965 Mustang Fastback Mileage Unknown(My sons)
1983 240D, 176,000mi (My daughers) owned since 2004
2007 Honda Accord EX-L I4 auto, the new daily driver
1985 300D 264,000mi Son's new daily driver.(sold)
2008 Hyundai Tiberon. Daughters new car

For what's it's worth, my 85 300TD armrest looks like your old one. At least the round locking push button looks the same. It locks in the upright position.
The armrest in our 77 300d is different. It has no locking mechanism and is lower on the seat than the 85. (too low to comfortably rest my arm on it).

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1977 300d 70k--sold 08
1985 300TD 185k+
1984 307d 126k--sold 8/03
1985 409d 65k--sold 06
1984 300SD 315k--daughter's car
1979 300SD 122k--sold 2/11
1999 Fuso FG Expedition Camper
1993 GMC Sierra 6.5 TD 4x4
1982 Bluebird Wanderlodge CAT 3208--Sold 2/13

I have the one on the top. The bottom one is from a really old car IIRC>

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91 350SD
14 F150 Eco
19 Fusion Hybrid
11 GT500

Dave,
My '85 wagon also has the smaller of the two armrests, with the round unlock button. Seems like my older wagon had a slightly larger armrest, but it had NO unlock button, as it didn't lock. I'll see if I can scrounge an old photo. Seems like I used to have one.....
Jimmy

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Jimmy L.
'05 Acura TL 6MT
2001 ML430 My Spare

Gone:
'95 E300 188K "Batmobile" Texas Unfriendly Black
'85 300TD 235K "The Wagon" Texas Friendly White
'80 240D 154K "China" Scar engine installed
'81 300TD 240K "Smash"
'80 240D 230K "The Squash"
'81 240D 293K"Scar" Rear ended harder than Elton John

My 240D has no lock on the armrest and sits lower than my TD did.

Of course it does, the 240D is a speed demon, so fast that you wouldn't even think about using the armrest.

Peace
1975 240D