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Anyone have trouble with the carpet coming out out the console?
On my 81 it keeps coming out where it meets the bottom of the console.
Thanks... Barry :cry
Ya know, while waiting for stuff to dry I'm reading thru this forum and once in awhile I see something that really strikes a chord. I have the same trouble with my '81. First, the plastic "ears" on the console cover were broken. I fixed them with West System epoxy and galvanized steel flashing. Next, the damn cheap carpet backing was broken and warped and broken some more. But the carpet was sun-faded to match the rest of the rugs. So I backed up the masonite with fiberglass cloth and West System epoxy. In fact, I epoxied the whole piece.(both) I think they warp in place. Then I shampooed the carpet.
I have not installed them yet, but I had a discussion with my son just this morning about putting a cloth border around the top and bottom, assuming I could find a suitable cloth. All it has to be is grey. The fasteners on the shift console cover are cheap and easily broken. Take some time and take the plastic off. It should be apparent where the mis-fit is. It does look like crap when the side pieces of the tunnel stick out from the plastic cover. I plan to put on a cloth "binding" that will hold them in place.
Had the same problem on my '79-when I replaced the masonite & carpet side sections I was able to get the carpet to stay in place for about 6 months before it started bowing out again.
I think the place to start on this deal is to make sure that the console and center gauge panels will line up and tighten up correctly. The previous posts sound really familiar-I had to rebuild some of the mounting tabs with pieces of a speed limit sign and J-B Weld.
Once you get the console pieces fastened in like they should be, you will need to reform the masonite/carpet side sections-almost to the point of breaking-to fit the countour of the mounting brackets and the groove in the console. If you will mist the back of the masonite w/water it will help to get it contoured without breaking (but you're probably going to break one of them sooner or later, anyway).
You'll have to redrill the holes-be carefull not to pull the carpet w/the drill bit. This is one of those things that just seems to glare at you every time you get in your car-and probably not all that noticable to those who never owned a C-3.
Good Luck!