[PhilUsher]

The arm rest in the ZX4 ST (Manual Transmission) is a travesty!

Unless one closely resembles a double jointed ambidextrous orangutan shifting gears with the arm rest down is almost impossible.

With the arm rest up the numb tingling sensation you feel after shifts to 2nd and 4th is not born of trust-ful acceleration no, sadly the sensation is pain due to subcutaneous bruising to the elbow.

So - what have others done to rework this wonder of Ford design? Is there an aftermarket replacement for this floating morass of human insensitivity previously known as an Arm Rest?

 

[PhilUsher]

Thanks everyone for your posts

I have the same car and solved the problem by buying the STS, now it is perfect.

STS?

 

[PhilUsher]

Remnants of better economic times

I looked at you car list. Daaaamn.

Thanks but the exotic cars are remnants of better economic times. After many years on the rat race carousel I took a misstep and was thrown off.

I have no complaints. I have been very fortunate to have fulfilled many of my childhood dreams; the Italian exotic is one of them. Like most such cars it's primarily a garage queen. Unlike most mine has a considerable number of track laps and the new brakes, tires, rattles and photos to prove it.

I bought the Focus to have something more in keeping with my current income and more relaxed lifestyle.

 

[PhilUsher]

I am short also

How tall are you, Phil ?

I am also 5'9" but somehow I am making contact with this Arm obstruction in the center.

In this position there is not enough room between the gear shift and the arm rest for my hand + forearm + elbow to fit. To change gears in this position I need to tuck my elbow into my rib cage and extend my hand off angle to the right.

In this position with my arm aligned behind the gear shift my elbow makes contact with upraised arm rest mount on shifts into 2nd and 4th.

 

[PhilUsher]

STS = Short Throw Shifter

Short Throw Shifter

Thanks.

 

[PhilUsher]

OK - So I am alone with this problem

OK Gang. Thanks very much for all your observations, suggestions and such. It's becoming clear that I am alone in my negative assessment of the armrest.

Over the years I have become obsessive about things which create discomfort or make friction contact with me while driving. This obsession is the result of endurance racing where such repeated discomfort becomes debilitating injury.

I started to create a list of those injuries but decided it was too ugly and personal to post. Perhaps if some of you become friends I'll share the list in private.

 

[PhilUsher]

Re: What technique do you use when shifting?

What technique do you use when shifting?

I palm the shift knob. I place my hand over the top of the gear shift knob such that the center of the knob is in palm of my hand.