A slide mechanism for use with a vehicle armrest includes a sliding plate and a stationary plate in sliding engagement with each other via a coupling that includes an elongated guide and a guide follower. The elongated guide defines a slide direction for the slide mechanism and is retained to one of the plates by guide retention features located at each end of the guide. Each retention feature is constructed to restrict movement of the elongated guide in all directions transverse to the slide direction. A spacer is disposed at one end of the elongated guide to hold the guide in place in the slide direction so that retention is maintained. The spacer can be interposed between a retention feature stop and an end of the elongated guide and/or can extend from a cover attached to the plate that includes the retention features.