Bump - anyone have any ideas? 2008 HSE B. Grey
Overfinched
NavTV retrofit

I would be interested also.
My handle just flaps, the armrest is stuck in the upright position.

Is this the middle seat release handle?

I'm guessing here but I'd assume the surround to the handle from the front has plastic tabs on the sides and even the top. You will need to get a thin trim tool along the sides of it and push inward. Here is the best picture of the cup holder assembly and it is very generic. It looks like two side tabs and a center tab. If you have an inspection camera small enough to get between the plastic and the cushion that might be helpful. Expect to break a tab or two but being ABS plastic you can fix it enough to function.

Click image to enlarge

Ill study this to see what I can do.I was afraid it would involve surgery! 2008 HSE B. Grey
Overfinched
NavTV retrofit

Thanks for the diagram, don't help me but the mention of endoscope certainly has.

I'm away until Sunday but duh I have a scope but not the real small one. I'll see if I can see anything with it. Probably somewhat different being a 2004 but maybe give some clues.

So the cupholder is fastened with clips and I broke some but was able to fix the problem (JB Weld as the handle had broken)

Some pictures so other people can see what this is all about

Click image to enlarge

Click image to enlarge

Click image to enlarge

I'm not clear what you did to fix the release handle. I understand fixing the sacrificial tabs on the cup holder that broke with removal. A little photo editing with arrows and or comments would be great.

So the handle is made of three pieces

One is decorative and slides out

The other two are the mechanism

There is a handle that broke for me. The handle has a knob per side and a handle or hook per side. In my case both one knob and one hook broke off (kids?)

I used crazy glue and JBweld. To glue them back on. (Crazy glue Alone was not strong enough )

There if you look where the handle goes you will see two slots in the bottom the knobs slide into the slots in the hooks face rearward and get hooked into the thin strip that has the two places with the hooks center into if you open your seat up you will know what I mean

I do have to caution you that I broke quite a few of the retaining clips trying to get the cubbyhole out I did not have any of the Plas ic tools that radio installers use 2008 HSE B. Grey
Overfinched
NavTV retrofit

Thanks. FYI it's all ABS plastic. I use a soldering iron with a blade attachment and some scrap ABS plastic or ABS rods. Only thing I've found that bonds ABS for long is to melt it and melt plastic in and around the break. Crazy glue is good to hold in place while you remelt.