Help with Center Consol Removal '71
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 12
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From: sterling va
Help with Center Consol Removal '71
Good Morning Everyone,
I just started my Carpet/Heat barrier install in my '71 last night and hit a snag. I've successfully ripped out the old carpet and most of the interior trim pieces. I'm having one hell of a time getting the center consol out. It seems to be hanging up on something. I've removed the screws on the side and the parking brake consol. The consol is loose and can be lifted up a couple inches. Best i can tell it is the cables connecting to the air vent levers/ AC control cluster?? I need to remove the consol to apply the heat barrier to the tunnel. Does anyone have any suggestions?
Also, does anyone have suggestions on prep work for the carpet/heat barrier install? there is a lot of old glue on the fiberglass. i was going to try a chemical cleaner like "goo gone" or something of that nature....
I'm open to suggestions/ recommendations. Thanks for the help!
I just started my Carpet/Heat barrier install in my '71 last night and hit a snag. I've successfully ripped out the old carpet and most of the interior trim pieces. I'm having one hell of a time getting the center consol out. It seems to be hanging up on something. I've removed the screws on the side and the parking brake consol. The consol is loose and can be lifted up a couple inches. Best i can tell it is the cables connecting to the air vent levers/ AC control cluster?? I need to remove the consol to apply the heat barrier to the tunnel. Does anyone have any suggestions?
Also, does anyone have suggestions on prep work for the carpet/heat barrier install? there is a lot of old glue on the fiberglass. i was going to try a chemical cleaner like "goo gone" or something of that nature....
I'm open to suggestions/ recommendations. Thanks for the help!
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 12,624
Likes: 3,097
From: Shamong, NJ
There isn't much play in the AC or air vent cables, the wiring harness or the fiber optics. Pull the 4 screws from the shift plate and disconnect everything from the shift plate and remove it. Make sure you have the shift console unbolted from the center gauge cluster, there are to studs that attach it to the console. Once everything is disconnected from the shift console and the gauge cluster is unbolted, the shift console should come right out.
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 38,923
Likes: 1,481
From: Southbound
Cruise-In II Veteran
Purchase the 71 assembly instruction manual (AIM) and take a look at the diagrams showing how the car was assembled. These help when taking one apart.
Non-AC cars have two vent cables which screw into the underside of the console. You can disconnect these under the console or disconnect them on the kick panel vent doors.
Non-AC cars have two vent cables which screw into the underside of the console. You can disconnect these under the console or disconnect them on the kick panel vent doors.
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 1,254
Likes: 5
From: Brown Summit North Carolina
As I read the OP , it is the rear or parking brake cover that is kicking his , well you know the rest of the line.
Jamesa779
There is a bolt that you have to acces thru the rear glove box compartment or the center storage section behind the seats.
I have always removed the 3 door plastic frame then the liner.
You can then use a light and a long extension and a 7/16 socket as I recall
You have to remove all of this anyway to do the rear carpet.
Jamesa779
There is a bolt that you have to acces thru the rear glove box compartment or the center storage section behind the seats.
I have always removed the 3 door plastic frame then the liner.
You can then use a light and a long extension and a 7/16 socket as I recall
You have to remove all of this anyway to do the rear carpet.
Former Vendor
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 76,656
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From: Jeffersonville Indiana 812-288-7103
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15
Here is the hidden bolt that David is talking about. There has been many a parking brake console destroyed trying to find it 
The only way in there is just as he stated too! Remove the RCU and the center compartment and with a little searching you'll see it!
As far as getting the console out, I'm on board with GB above. You must remove the heater control from the shifter housing plate before you can remove the console. There are two screws that hold this to the metal retainer. Once you have this out of the retainer, the rest will follow easily!
18243
The only way in there is just as he stated too! Remove the RCU and the center compartment and with a little searching you'll see it!
As far as getting the console out, I'm on board with GB above. You must remove the heater control from the shifter housing plate before you can remove the console. There are two screws that hold this to the metal retainer. Once you have this out of the retainer, the rest will follow easily!
18243
Last edited by Willcox Corvette; Feb 20, 2011 at 02:29 PM.
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 12
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From: sterling va
Thanks for the info guys! I plan to give it another go tomorrow. I think it is defiinetly the vent cables holding me up. I've already removed the parking brake consol (that bolt under the rear glove box was hidden good). I've also removed the all the trim screws and the shift plate screws. I will consult the AIM before going further. I always like to get advice from the forum before i screw anything up! Thanks again!
