Transmission tunnel cover removal

[DarkMatter]

I want to remove my transmission tunnel cover of my '96 500 to access the gear lever remote, prior to removing the gearbox.

I've removed the rear fixing bolts, and slackened the handbrake as far as it will go, but the lever will not go into a vertical position preventing me from lifting/sliding the tunnel cover off. (this should work according to the Steve Heath book)

Has that method worked for anyone, or will I need to disconnect the handbrake cable, of even unbolt the handbrake from underneath?

Thanks.

[clive f]

I`d slacken off the cable, then disconnect from the lever.

also if you have the t5 gearbox seperate the box from the bellhousing, this makes it easier to get to the bolts holding the bell housing to the engine.

Edited by clive f on Wednesday 11th February 10:27

[Colin RedGriff]

It worked for me when I lifted the body on mine. The brakes were actually on with the handbrake vertical and it was still a little awkward to lift the cover off. It might be that you just need to slacken off a little bit more.

Possibly if your pads are newish you'll need a bit more slack. Maybe removing the pads would give that extra movement but need to be careful that you can get the pads back in again after you've finished.

[DarkMatter]

Thanks chaps. My rear pads are fairly new, so perhaps that is why I've run out of slack. I think for me it will be easier to disconnect the cable as Clive suggests and then proceed with separating the box from the bellhousing - and to remove the bellhousing afterwards.

[Pasco]

To remove the cover completely how do you remove the heater dash panel and the door handles indeed if that is necessary

[DarkMatter]

Pasco said:

To remove the cover completely how do you remove the heater dash panel and the door handles indeed if that is necessary

The heater/dash panel has a connectors which can be unplugged. I guess you could disconnect the door handle cables from the lock mechanism on the B post, but I'll check tomorrow to see whether it might be possible to just disconnect the cables from the door handles (on the cover).

[Loubaruch]

Pasco said:

To remove the cover completely how do you remove the heater dash panel and the door handles indeed if that is necessary

As has been mentioned the wiring to the heater controls simply unplug and the door release bowden cables can be removed from the whale tail but you may find it easier to also unbolt the aluminium handles. Take a pic of the mechanism before dismantling as its a bit fiddly. Best of luck!

[Pasco]

Thanks for the input fellas

[DarkMatter]

I did promise some pictures, sorry they are a bit late...

[Pasco]

DarkMatter said:

I did promise some pictures, sorry they are a bit late...

Cheers Andrew Most Kind

Nice Car BTW