Notices
C5 General General C5 Corvette and C5 Z06 Discussion not covered in Tech

2004 Console Door Question

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Mar 3, 2013 | 01:31 PM
  #1  
Ron Miller's Avatar
Ron Miller
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
20 Year Member
Veteran: Army
Liked
Top Answer: 1
 
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 9,015
Likes: 331
From: Southeast Missouri
Default 2004 Console Door Question

Hey Guys,

I have usually limited my participation on the forum to the C2 section, having owned a couple for the better part of 35 years. But I recently purchased an '04 Commemorative Edition a couple of days ago and have a question.

The center console door only opens about 1 1/2 inches or so, barely enough to get your hand inside and push the gas door release button. The hinge apparently binds at that point and I've hesitated to use any force on it for fear of breaking the hinge. I don't think it''s even open far enough to get a screwdriver inside to remove the door and see what's going on.

Whadda ya think?? A little more force? Something caught in the hinge?

Open to suggestions, anybody else had this problem??

Thanks,

Ron
Reply
Old Mar 3, 2013 | 01:41 PM
  #2  
bradc6's Avatar
bradc6
Race Director
Supporting Lifetime Gold
20 Year Member
Active Streak: 60 Days
Liked
Top Answer: 3
 
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 10,489
Likes: 576
From: Pace Florida
St. Jude Donor '05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11
National Champs Gators 4 St. Jude '09
Default

It is a 2 part hinge. Pull it up to the point where you currently are and then towards the driver's seat a little bit and it will open the rest of the way.
Reply
Old Mar 3, 2013 | 01:42 PM
  #3  
momo20's Avatar
momo20
Safety Car
20 Year Member
 
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 3,532
Likes: 79
From: pueblo co
Default

i would say a little more force..i have gotten pretty mean with mine and it has not broken..the hinge could be dry some lube would not hurt...also i notice the ebrake tends to get in the way too, when its up
Reply
Old Mar 3, 2013 | 01:43 PM
  #4  
VETJAZZ's Avatar
VETJAZZ
Race Director
Supporting Lifetime Gold
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 10,742
Likes: 211
From: Marana, Arizona
Default

Originally Posted by bradc6
It is a 2 part hinge. Pull it up to the point where you currently are and then towards the driver's seat a little bit and it will open the rest of the way.
Dumb design, but it is what it is.
Reply
Old Mar 3, 2013 | 03:19 PM
  #5  
Evil-Twin's Avatar
Evil-Twin
Team Owner
 
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 21,325
Likes: 3,841
From: small town in S.E Pa. PA
St. Jude Donor '03-'04
Default

Originally Posted by VETJAZZ
Dumb design, but it is what it is.
Dumb statement, considering you are suppose to be an educated man. Did you stop to consider why the console lid has a 3 axis hinge instead of a simple 2 axis hinge? Did you stop to consider it might have been designed for a reason.. which it was... the fact that this eludes you, is testament to the fact that not all educated people are smart. With 1/4 million C5's floating around , very few people find this to be an issue. To say this design is dumb is like saying the active handling found in a C5 uses the brake system to help negotiate yawing with out direct input from the driver, is also dumb.
Reply
Old Mar 3, 2013 | 03:26 PM
  #6  
jdot's Avatar
jdot
Drifting
 
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 1,371
Likes: 1
From: Somerset Kentucky
Default

Whoa guys, let's just help Ron out without slashing each other's throats. OK? After all, he said he just got the car.
Reply
Old Mar 3, 2013 | 03:33 PM
  #7  
Suthunman's Avatar
Suthunman
Safety Car
 
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 4,831
Likes: 21
From: The Voice of Reason!
St. Jude Donor '14
Default

Originally Posted by Ron Miller
Hey Guys,

I have usually limited my participation on the forum to the C2 section, having owned a couple for the better part of 35 years. But I recently purchased an '04 Commemorative Edition a couple of days ago and have a question.

The center console door only opens about 1 1/2 inches or so, barely enough to get your hand inside and push the gas door release button. The hinge apparently binds at that point and I've hesitated to use any force on it for fear of breaking the hinge. I don't think it''s even open far enough to get a screwdriver inside to remove the door and see what's going on.

Whadda ya think?? A little more force? Something caught in the hinge?

Open to suggestions, anybody else had this problem??

Thanks,

Ron
When I got my car it was exactly as you describe. I got it open far enough to lube the hinges, worked it back and forth a few times and it works fine now. I don't have to pull it towards the drivers as many suggest, it moves in that direction on its own with me simply pulling up on the lid. I assume with proper lubrication it works as it was designed.
Reply
Old Mar 3, 2013 | 05:34 PM
  #8  
Evil-Twin's Avatar
Evil-Twin
Team Owner
 
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 21,325
Likes: 3,841
From: small town in S.E Pa. PA
St. Jude Donor '03-'04
Default

Originally Posted by jdot
Whoa guys, let's just help Ron out without slashing each other's throats. OK? After all, he said he just got the car.
No one is slashing out at Ron, only those who are misinformed as to the design. Calling the design dumb, is slashing out on the designer.. I take offense to that. Thus the reply.
Reply
Corvette Stories

The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts

story-0

10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer

 Brett Foote
story-2

10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)

 Michael S. Palmer
story-3

8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-4

10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years

 Joe Kucinski
story-5

How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972

 Joe Kucinski
story-6

Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-7

Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Mar 3, 2013 | 06:12 PM
  #9  
Illini Al's Avatar
Illini Al
Burning Brakes
 
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 801
Likes: 1
From: Orland Park IL
St. Jude Donor '10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15
Default

Two threads on this topic in one week.
If there was one on this last Spring when I got my C5, I wouldn't have been wondering about this myself for the past several months.
Reply
Old Mar 3, 2013 | 06:23 PM
  #10  
Ron Miller's Avatar
Ron Miller
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
20 Year Member
Veteran: Army
Liked
Top Answer: 1
 
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 9,015
Likes: 331
From: Southeast Missouri
Default

Hey Thanks Guys!!

I just got in the car and drove it 12 hours from Houston, opened the door a few times on the way to refill with gas and really hadn't tried past those few times. I might have figured it out myself, but if directions were in the owner's manual I missed those.

Anyhow, that's why this is such a great forum!! The C5's are new to me, my first Corvette was a 1963 convertible with a 340 hp 4-speed and a 4:11 positraction that I bought upon my return to the 'world' from Vietnam. I've owned C2 models since, the 2004 being my first "later" model.

Thanks much guys, look forward to visiting on the forum and maybe meet a few a local events down the road! Drop by the C2 forum and browse as well! Great bunch of guys there also!

Ron
Reply
Old Mar 3, 2013 | 08:36 PM
  #11  
Ron Miller's Avatar
Ron Miller
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
20 Year Member
Veteran: Army
Liked
Top Answer: 1
 
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 9,015
Likes: 331
From: Southeast Missouri
Default

Quick follow-up . . . . opened the door, a little pull toward the driver's side, and it works like a charm!! Thanks Guys!!


Reply
Old Mar 3, 2013 | 09:51 PM
  #12  
Virtual Geezer's Avatar
Virtual Geezer
Le Mans Master
Supporting Lifetime Gold
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 6,072
Likes: 196
From: Arizona
Default

Enjoy your 'new' 2004 and welcome to C5 General!
Reply
Old Mar 3, 2013 | 10:24 PM
  #13  
Vetteman Jack's Avatar
Vetteman Jack
Administrator
Supporting Lifetime
Veteran: Navy
St. Jude 20 Year Donor
25 Year Member
Veteran: Reserves
 
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 368,324
Likes: 24,777
From: In a parallel universe. Currently own 2014 Stingray Coupe.
C7 of the Year - Modified Finalist 2021
MO Events Coordinator
St. Jude Co-Organizer
St. Jude Donor '03 thru '26
NCM Sinkhole Donor
CI 5, 8 & 11 Veteran
Default

Congrats on getting your new car - the C5 is a great vehicle. It takes a little while to learn all the in's and out's of the car - the center console lid is just one of them.
Reply
Old Mar 3, 2013 | 10:55 PM
  #14  
jdot's Avatar
jdot
Drifting
 
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 1,371
Likes: 1
From: Somerset Kentucky
Default

Originally Posted by Evil-Twin
No one is slashing out at Ron, only those who are misinformed as to the design. Calling the design dumb, is slashing out on the designer.. I take offense to that. Thus the reply.
If I were the designer I might be offended too. Since I'm not; thus the reply.
Reply
Old Mar 3, 2013 | 11:40 PM
  #15  
Evil-Twin's Avatar
Evil-Twin
Team Owner
 
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 21,325
Likes: 3,841
From: small town in S.E Pa. PA
St. Jude Donor '03-'04
Default

Originally Posted by jdot
If I were the designer I might be offended too. Since I'm not; thus the reply.
As Ive said a couple dozen times over the last 12 years, We designed the console hinge to meet a potential DOT mandate for safety, and designed that way in the event of a high speed impact, the console lid , Stage 1, would keep ( screw drivers, pens, mini light, etc) from becoming flying object in the cockpit. We were being pro active in the design, other wise a simple piano hinge would have been much cheaper and would have worked.

Just some more insider design info.
Reply
Old Mar 4, 2013 | 12:43 PM
  #16  
Red74's Avatar
Red74
Advanced
 
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 76
Likes: 0
From: Johnson City TN
Default

Ron, I feel for you man. I posted the same question last week. I saw your thread and got all excited that I might be able to help. Oh well, a little late. Glad it's working for you. So far I've driven my '03 about 8 miles since it came to me. I can't stand waiting for a break in the weather to take it out for a run.
Reply
Old Mar 4, 2013 | 06:19 PM
  #17  
Ron Miller's Avatar
Ron Miller
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
20 Year Member
Veteran: Army
Liked
Top Answer: 1
 
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 9,015
Likes: 331
From: Southeast Missouri
Default

Originally Posted by Red74
Ron, I feel for you man. I posted the same question last week. I saw your thread and got all excited that I might be able to help. Oh well, a little late. Glad it's working for you. So far I've driven my '03 about 8 miles since it came to me. I can't stand waiting for a break in the weather to take it out for a run.
Thanks Red,

I don't feel so badly about asking the question now!

Great looking car in your avatar, I'm located pretty near the Mississippi River, so Johnson City can't be too far!! I almost pulled the trigger on a 50th anniversary car myself before buying the 2004 Commemorative Edition that I have. The main deal breaker for me was that I live in a town of 1,800 population and there are already two 50th anniversary models in town. Can you believe it??!!!

Ron
Reply

Get notified of new replies

To 2004 Console Door Question





All times are GMT -4. The time now is 03:59 PM.

story-0
10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love

Slideshow: 10 ugly Corvettes that we still kinda love.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-03 10:34:17


VIEW MORE
story-1
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer

A lot of money has changed hands at the online auction house over the years.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-03 10:21:50


VIEW MORE
story-2
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)

Slideshow: 10 great gifts Corvette enthusiasts actually want for Father's Day!

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-03 15:43:40


VIEW MORE
story-3
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems

Slideshow: These are the quirks, annoyances, and oddly lovable problems that every Corvette owner eventually learns to live with.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-28 09:31:39


VIEW MORE
story-4
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years

Slideshow: 10 reasons why the C6 Z06 is still a performance benchmark after 20 years.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 17:20:09


VIEW MORE
story-5
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972

Slideshow: How much horsepower every Corvette engine lost in 1972.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:54:53


VIEW MORE
story-6
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

Slideshow: How to Protect A Convertible Top: 10 DOs & DON'Ts

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-03 00:00:00


VIEW MORE
story-7
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

Slideshow: The 10 most explosive Corvettes ever built based on power-to-weight ratio.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-20 07:23:03


VIEW MORE
story-8
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

Slideshow: From C1 to C8 we compare every Corvette generation by the numbers.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 16:54:12


VIEW MORE
story-9
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

Slideshow: Some Corvette pace cars became collectible legends, while others perfectly captured the look and attitude of their era.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-11 09:50:51


VIEW MORE