Parking brake console removal help.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 109
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From: Erin NY
Parking brake console removal help.
I have removed the 4 visible screws on sides of the console but it is still secured at the rear. It seems like the only way to free the rear of console is to remove bolt who's head is accessible only from center rear storage compartment. I can't even get a wrench in there. Am I missing something?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 2,815
Likes: 470
From: Wichita Kansas
I had to reach that bolt by removing the tub under the hinged door behind the passenger seat where the jack storage is. It wasn't too bad; I have not put it back yet, I suspect that will be more difficult.
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 1,944
Likes: 20
From: The only Corvettes in Highett Victoria
That's it!
77,
Yes, that's what you'll have to do as they were designed like that. One of the best things you can buy for your 'Vette is an A.I.M. and a good workshop manual. Then, when you have a problem, you can go straight there and obtain an immediate answer to your question.
I'm NOT saying that the Forum is the last reort - nothing like it - but try the W.M. and the A.I.M. first for the easy problems. Come here for the hard ones!!! LOL
Regards from Down Under
aussiejohn
Yes, that's what you'll have to do as they were designed like that. One of the best things you can buy for your 'Vette is an A.I.M. and a good workshop manual. Then, when you have a problem, you can go straight there and obtain an immediate answer to your question.
I'm NOT saying that the Forum is the last reort - nothing like it - but try the W.M. and the A.I.M. first for the easy problems. Come here for the hard ones!!! LOL
Regards from Down Under
aussiejohn
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 109
Likes: 0
From: Erin NY
I did the same. I can feel the bolt head but how did you remove it? It seems to be a 7/16", but I can't seem to get a socket or wrench on it. What did you use?
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 109
Likes: 0
From: Erin NY
77,
Yes, that's what you'll have to do as they were designed like that. One of the best things you can buy for your 'Vette is an A.I.M. and a good workshop manual. Then, when you have a problem, you can go straight there and obtain an immediate answer to your question.
I'm NOT saying that the Forum is the last reort - nothing like it - but try the W.M. and the A.I.M. first for the easy problems. Come here for the hard ones!!! LOL
Regards from Down Under
aussiejohn
Yes, that's what you'll have to do as they were designed like that. One of the best things you can buy for your 'Vette is an A.I.M. and a good workshop manual. Then, when you have a problem, you can go straight there and obtain an immediate answer to your question.
I'm NOT saying that the Forum is the last reort - nothing like it - but try the W.M. and the A.I.M. first for the easy problems. Come here for the hard ones!!! LOL
Regards from Down Under
aussiejohn
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 109
Likes: 0
From: Erin NY
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Heel & Toe
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 18
Likes: 0
From: New Zealand
I put a new parking brake consol in recently and that bolt beat me !
I simply couldn't twist my body to get it without getting frustrated.
I removed the entire rear consol and then there was lots of lovely room to work with
I'm glad I did because getting it back in was hard even with the room.
The way you do it will depend on your patience/body size/frustration level
I simply couldn't twist my body to get it without getting frustrated.
I removed the entire rear consol and then there was lots of lovely room to work with
I'm glad I did because getting it back in was hard even with the room.
The way you do it will depend on your patience/body size/frustration level
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 114
Likes: 18
From: McKinney TX
A little easier next time
If you have any reason to think you'll have to remove the console again in the future, replace the troublesome bolt with an allen head cap screw. Getting the cap screw into the hole is pretty easy when it's on the end of a six inch allen wrench.
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 11,872
Likes: 12
From: Waterloo ontario Canada
I must have gotten lucky. I bought my 75 second hand but that bolt for me was just a stud. I removed the side screws and then just pulled the cover forward and it slit off the stud. Mine was NOT attached by this bolt. The bolt was mearly a stud over which the console slid.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,118
From: Crossville TN
That is a "trick" idea. The rear console isn't going to move forward on its own, so it only needs to be restrained from moving sideways or up/down. The stud idea would do that well and doesn't need to be removed. Wow!
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 109
Likes: 0
From: Erin NY
The stud idea is a good one. My first thought during removal was that it would be held by a slip on bracket that would keep it from moving up or down and that the other screws would keep it from moving forward. (Too bad we didn't work at GM's design department in the '70's. 
). I may change it to a stud for re-assembly.
My solution was pretty simple. I tried the wrech again and decided I would rather break somethig or cut an access hole or etc. It sucked that bad. In the end I took 4 staples out of the press board box in the center rear storage compartment and folded down the front edge into the compartment. Easy access with socket and long extension. Bolt was out in seconds. Damage to press board material very minor and not visible when re-assembled.....Job done, sanity intact.
P.S.: I will be replacing interior soon. Any source for tips / instructions to avoid situations like this? Anyone ever written a guide etc.? I suspect it will be very trying on my patience when the time comes.
). I may change it to a stud for re-assembly. My solution was pretty simple. I tried the wrech again and decided I would rather break somethig or cut an access hole or etc. It sucked that bad. In the end I took 4 staples out of the press board box in the center rear storage compartment and folded down the front edge into the compartment. Easy access with socket and long extension. Bolt was out in seconds. Damage to press board material very minor and not visible when re-assembled.....Job done, sanity intact.
P.S.: I will be replacing interior soon. Any source for tips / instructions to avoid situations like this? Anyone ever written a guide etc.? I suspect it will be very trying on my patience when the time comes.
Last edited by #77; Feb 25, 2007 at 08:44 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 2,815
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From: Wichita Kansas
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 1,991
Likes: 3
From: Piscataway NJ
I did this once after i removed the rear compartment the nut wasnt a promlem. Before I put it back together I used a 3/4 leather punch to make a acess hole in the cardboard. Found a plastic plug. Now all I don't have to remove the whole rear compartment. Use a magnetic socket with an extension
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 1,944
Likes: 20
From: The only Corvettes in Highett Victoria
Will do. Do you have a recommended source for good quality A.I.M. and workshop manual? Also I read books and search previous threads for answers to questions before posting them here but there is no substitute for past experience and the ability to ask a follow up question. Simplicity or complexity of question aside, is that not the purpose of the tech section of the forum?
I buy most of my books from "Wheels of Time" bookshop in Clow Street, Dandenong, but I think you'll be able to find a source closer to New York. Try Mid America Motorworks, Zip, Bair's etc. Possibly Summit, but I've never bought from them.
Regards from Down Under
aussiejohn
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 109
Likes: 0
From: Erin NY
I did this once after i removed the rear compartment the nut wasnt a promlem. Before I put it back together I used a 3/4 leather punch to make a acess hole in the cardboard. Found a plastic plug. Now all I don't have to remove the whole rear compartment. Use a magnetic socket with an extension