Centre console removal...
Discussion
Greetings all!
I'm trying to remove the centre console to check the earthing points but am having difficulty taking it off... All screws are out (front & back), gear knob and door release knob are off, hand brake is full-on, window switches removed, but the thing seems to be caught somewhere around the middle. It looks like the wires from the door release thing are fed over a bracket attached to the underside of the centre console so it looks like the only way to remove it is to unscrew the door release mechanism so it comes off too - this sounds crazy or am I missing something?
The handbrake hasn't been loosened from underneith but even if it was and the lever set vertical I'm not sure if would come off... Happy to be proven wrong...
Anyone got any suggestions?
Frustrated,
Mark
I'm trying to remove the centre console to check the earthing points but am having difficulty taking it off... All screws are out (front & back), gear knob and door release knob are off, hand brake is full-on, window switches removed, but the thing seems to be caught somewhere around the middle. It looks like the wires from the door release thing are fed over a bracket attached to the underside of the centre console so it looks like the only way to remove it is to unscrew the door release mechanism so it comes off too - this sounds crazy or am I missing something?
The handbrake hasn't been loosened from underneith but even if it was and the lever set vertical I'm not sure if would come off... Happy to be proven wrong...
Anyone got any suggestions?
Frustrated,
Mark
think you've hit the nail on the head. The door release knob is mounted on a plate that is in turn screwed into the bodywork beneath the cetre console. The cables that run towards the parcel shelf from the knob may well be running through a duct in the console itself (seems to vary with the age of the car and the man who made it). If so, you will have to remove the self tappers that are holding the door release knob plate in place.
Here is the very good news. Under the plate you will probably find that the selftappers run through some nuts that are being used as spacers. When you come to reassemble the console, you will need to keep these nuts perfectly aligned above the holes in the fibre glass beneath them, if you are ever going to get the door release knob back in place. I'd recommend using masking tape to hold them in place as the screws will obviously go straight through the tape without any probs.
Good luck.
Here is the very good news. Under the plate you will probably find that the selftappers run through some nuts that are being used as spacers. When you come to reassemble the console, you will need to keep these nuts perfectly aligned above the holes in the fibre glass beneath them, if you are ever going to get the door release knob back in place. I'd recommend using masking tape to hold them in place as the screws will obviously go straight through the tape without any probs.
Good luck.
Hi Mark,
I've had to take the central console out a few times recently - once to adjust the microwave sensor and another time the whole lot out including all console parts and the door knob mounting etc to fix the handbrake ratchet mounting. I think what you're getting stuck on is where I first got confused: the central console trim is in an upper and lowre section - the upper part is just the central piece and the lower is the bolsters. They will serparate but the vinyl has usually stuck them together. Lift the console as a whole but then GENTLY push the bolsters down and you should be able to lift the central part away.
I've got some photos that I can email you if you need more help. Good luck.
Matt
I've had to take the central console out a few times recently - once to adjust the microwave sensor and another time the whole lot out including all console parts and the door knob mounting etc to fix the handbrake ratchet mounting. I think what you're getting stuck on is where I first got confused: the central console trim is in an upper and lowre section - the upper part is just the central piece and the lower is the bolsters. They will serparate but the vinyl has usually stuck them together. Lift the console as a whole but then GENTLY push the bolsters down and you should be able to lift the central part away.
I've got some photos that I can email you if you need more help. Good luck.
Matt
Hey Matt - guess what? You're right!
Though I'm not sure GENTLY is the word I'd use for pushing them apart...
They came free at the front fairly easily, I then used a thin piece of card (business card) to run between the two pieces front to back to break the seal. I don't think it was vinyl gloop, more likely a variety of spilt fluids etc.
The back was the worst and I think that was stuck to the bit underneith with gloop.
But hey, it's off so many thanks!!!
Not sure it did me any good though - I was hoping it would give access to those earthing points down there somewhere... More digging required...
Regards,
Mark
Though I'm not sure GENTLY is the word I'd use for pushing them apart...
They came free at the front fairly easily, I then used a thin piece of card (business card) to run between the two pieces front to back to break the seal. I don't think it was vinyl gloop, more likely a variety of spilt fluids etc.
The back was the worst and I think that was stuck to the bit underneith with gloop. But hey, it's off so many thanks!!!
Not sure it did me any good though - I was hoping it would give access to those earthing points down there somewhere... More digging required...
Regards,
Mark
Gassing Station | Chimaera | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff