shifter console removal

[danaspider]

Hey gang, I want to replace my shifter boot, so I need to lift the wooden insert cover of the console. By the book it is supposed to snap up. Is that correct? Just jerk it up? Just checking before I rip something apart.

Thanks

[pope]

Lift your ash tray out, put your fingers in the hole and push up on the back side of the shifter console.

[adrians]

The wooden shifter panel around the shifter boot is secured by two metal pins that locate into two holes ( one in each corner at the rear of the panel - close to the ashtray ) I think the holes have plastic retained clips.

The panel should pull straight up and back over the ashtray. ( as long as the PO didn't glue it or anything )

[manoa matt]

Be very carefull. The metal is thin in that area around the shifter hole and bends easily. The two retaining pins are sometimes very difficult to get out without distorting the panel. If you pull up and bend the metal the "wood" laminate will de-laminate from the metal substrate. If you have a console cap, then best bet is to take the whole console out, as the cap will chip the edges of the laminate when you try to remove it.

[mbouse]

once you follow Matt's advice, there should be a stamped metal plate beneath that laminated cover that has ?6? sheet metal screws holding it in place. that metal plate is what actually holds the rubber boot in place, and also serves as the first barrier between the transmission and the cockpit.

[danaspider]

Thanks for the quick responses. I did get it off. Couldn't do it with the fingers, but was able to use a 12mm Allen wrench to fit in from the ash tray and release the console cover. Interesting that metal and plastic will bond over the million years between removal.

Thanks again

[mbouse]

the last one i had out also had a bonding agent included... best described as Coke A Cola. imagine how that stuff tighten things down after being baked in place for eons..