C5 shifter & console removal
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 19,329
Likes: 16
From: Saint Augustine, FL
Mid-TN Events Coordinator
St. Jude Donor '03-'04-'05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16
Simple...
Open center storage compartment.
Open 2 rear 1" covers and unbolt the two 10mm nuts.
Pry (from the rear) the traction control panel. It should come up very easily.
Remove wiring harness from traction control panel, and power outlet.
Unbolt the two 10mm nuts.
Remove the 2 torx screws...one behind the cigarette lighter, the other one to the left of it.
Lift up on the rear portion of the storage compartment and slide back.
Release the clips aroudn the radio/HVAC, lift and slide back.
Assuming you get the shifter **** off without taking your eye out, you should be all done.
The shifter removal is pretty straight forward.
There's probably more, but that's the general gist...
Open center storage compartment.
Open 2 rear 1" covers and unbolt the two 10mm nuts.
Pry (from the rear) the traction control panel. It should come up very easily.
Remove wiring harness from traction control panel, and power outlet.
Unbolt the two 10mm nuts.
Remove the 2 torx screws...one behind the cigarette lighter, the other one to the left of it.
Lift up on the rear portion of the storage compartment and slide back.
Release the clips aroudn the radio/HVAC, lift and slide back.
Assuming you get the shifter **** off without taking your eye out, you should be all done.
The shifter removal is pretty straight forward.
There's probably more, but that's the general gist...
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 2,246
Likes: 66
From: Middletown CT
http://temp.corvetteforum.net/c5/pat...rInstall.shtml
I used a different method to remove the key.
Clamp a set of needlenose Visegrips on the key.
Clamp another set of small Visegrips on the jaws of the needlenose Visegrips to prevent the jaws from twisting.
Wrap a block of wood in cloth (an old sock works great), and rest it on the shift ****.
A helper is useful at this point to hold the block and Visegrips and make sure nothing slips and gets damaged.
There will be a gap between the jaws of the needlenose Visegrips. Insert a screwdriver through the gap and rest the tip on the block of wood. Using the block as a leverage point. pry up on the Visegrips, and the key will come with them.
Someone else thought of this, but I've tried it, and it worked well for me.
I used a different method to remove the key.
Clamp a set of needlenose Visegrips on the key.
Clamp another set of small Visegrips on the jaws of the needlenose Visegrips to prevent the jaws from twisting.
Wrap a block of wood in cloth (an old sock works great), and rest it on the shift ****.
A helper is useful at this point to hold the block and Visegrips and make sure nothing slips and gets damaged.
There will be a gap between the jaws of the needlenose Visegrips. Insert a screwdriver through the gap and rest the tip on the block of wood. Using the block as a leverage point. pry up on the Visegrips, and the key will come with them.
Someone else thought of this, but I've tried it, and it worked well for me.
Last edited by Greg_E; Aug 8, 2006 at 08:45 PM.
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 19,304
Likes: 85
From: San Diego CA
Originally Posted by milano
I want to replace my C5 manual shifter with a B&M. I hear that this process involves removing the center console as well. How do you do this?
Thank you.
Vinny
Thank you.
Vinny
http://www.conceptualpolymer.com/corvette_install.htm
Then check out my BPP install instructions:
http://www.conceptualpolymer.com/corvette_c5_corner.htm
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 3,012
Likes: 15
From: Jensen Beach FL
Originally Posted by Dave68
To remove your OEM shift ****:
http://www.conceptualpolymer.com/corvette_install.htm
Then check out my BPP install instructions:
http://www.conceptualpolymer.com/corvette_c5_corner.htm
http://www.conceptualpolymer.com/corvette_install.htm
Then check out my BPP install instructions:
http://www.conceptualpolymer.com/corvette_c5_corner.htm
Thanks
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 2,498
Likes: 4
From: Brentwood TN
If THIS strains credibility...
Originally Posted by willBC5
I can't believe that you have to remove that much console and dash plastic just to change a shifter !! 
It's gonna kill me to add my S.S. gauge bezels !!!
It's gonna kill me to add my S.S. gauge bezels !!!
Charlie
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 10,554
Likes: 33
From: Not on either liberal coast.
...I substituted an appropriate sized 3/8" socket in place of the block of wood, using it to pry upwards on the vice grips. The demon key slid right out w/o the need for a lubricant.
Last edited by hotwheels57; Aug 17, 2006 at 04:21 PM.
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 1,347
Likes: 4
From: Slidell La
Max speed 70 mph
I have a real serious problem and we will be leaving to the "tail of the Dragon" next month. My C5 is limited to 70 mph? 
Reason the cigarette lighter doesn't work with a defective socket. AND my Passport
for travel has no power w/o the lighter so the speed is limited to 70 mph until I can get the lighter replaced. 
So I have to pull the dash center to get to it as in removal of the shifter. How does the ignition key come out.? I read about wd40 on it, but where. Does the bezel unscrew or does it have some magic release button. Thanks 99 Nassau Vettdvr.. limited to 70 mph
Reason the cigarette lighter doesn't work with a defective socket. AND my Passport
for travel has no power w/o the lighter so the speed is limited to 70 mph until I can get the lighter replaced. So I have to pull the dash center to get to it as in removal of the shifter. How does the ignition key come out.? I read about wd40 on it, but where. Does the bezel unscrew or does it have some magic release button. Thanks 99 Nassau Vettdvr.. limited to 70 mph
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 2,498
Likes: 4
From: Brentwood TN
Originally Posted by jimcork1
How does the ignition key come out.? I read about wd40 on it, but where. Does the bezel unscrew or does it have some magic release button. Thanks 99 Nassau Vettdvr.. limited to 70 mph
Or, if you're time constrained or feeling froggy, look for wire color info for what is positive and negative and cut off the powe cord for your detector and splice it into the mirror cable like I did. My detector mounts on the windshield in the middle down far enough to "see" out the rear window and OFF WE GO.
Charlie
Race Director
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 14,711
Likes: 0
CI 7, 9, 10 & 11 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10
I believe in the Beer Fairy
Originally Posted by jimcork1
I have a real serious problem and we will be leaving to the "tail of the Dragon" next month.
Originally Posted by jimcork1
How does the ignition key come out.? I read about wd40 on it, but where. Does the bezel unscrew or does it have some magic release button.
, there are many ways to the removal of this key. However, the only way that is best, is just patience and time, remember, this is a nice car and there is no reason to get in a rush when poking around inside her. 
Intermediate
Joined: Jan 2019
Posts: 30
Likes: 2
From: Tacoma WA.
Great instructions! But I have an 02 convertible and I have to take the console out but it's a little different on the convertibles. You have to halfway put the top down to do it, so you have to hold the hood up and the fiberglass cover at the same time while trying to find the other screws. There are two Torx 25 screws on the top of the back of it and there must be some clips or something else but I wasn't able to find it today. 
I didn't look that long, really bc I had to leave. So I figured I'd come in here knowing there's someone who will know. I very much appreciate any input. Thanks!
I didn't look that long, really bc I had to leave. So I figured I'd come in here knowing there's someone who will know. I very much appreciate any input. Thanks!
Intermediate
Joined: Jan 2019
Posts: 30
Likes: 2
From: Tacoma WA.
Thaaaaaank you! I got it. Wasn't that hard. If I don't know how to do something I'll learn to do it or have someone show me, however that doesn't take away the nerves of doing something I've never done before, and terrified of breaking something or screwing something up worse than it was before. Again, Thanks! (heavy sigh) So now I have a new question so off I go to post it.
(heavy sigh) So now I have a new question so off I go to post it.
