How to remove the center console?
 

I am installing new carpet in my wife's 69 vert, and I wanted to remove the console section that has the emergency brake handle in it. But, apparently it is secured somehow that is not obvious (to me). I might not have to remove it to tuck the carpet up under the edges, but the piece is cracked, and I might want to repair/replace it anyway.

Thanks in advance!

P.

Hello Paul,
There are 4 screws and one bolt which keep it in place. 2 chrome screws on the left and right hand side, 1/side fixes it to a bracket on the tunnel, 1/ side also to a bracket on the tunnel but taking the shifter console in sandwich.
The bolt goes through the bulkhead behind the seats into the bracket which is fixed to the handbrake console. To reach this bolt you have to reach inside the jack compartment towards the center of the car. If your middle storage compartment is out it will be easier to reach. If everything is loose it should just slide out.
Nick
Edit : don't have a better picture and it doesn't show the hole for the bolt, but if you follow the tunnel from the handbrake untill you come to the bulkhead you see a boss (on the right side of the connector). That's the location where you search for the bolt head from inside the storage compartment
Attachment 48153046

Thanks, Nick! The storage box is out at the moment, so I'll go look (after breakfast).

Thanks again!

P.

PS: That Dynamat...Looks like something I shoulda and could still consider...Hmmmm...With the headers, it gets a little "toasty" on hot days. (Not so much when my wife drives it - she seldom if ever opens the secondaries on the Edlebrock. But, I notice it - and she does too - when I'm allowed to drive her baby.:lol:)

That "hidden" bolt in the storage compartment, gets people evrytime!

Hi Paul,
You can reach the bolt from the jack storage compartment if you take the fiber board storage tray out.
Good Luck!
Regards,
Alan

You can see the hole for the bolt in this picture.

Attachment 48153041

Here is the hidden bolt! There has been many a parking brake console destroyed trying to find it :D

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!


http://willcoxcorvette.com/images/pa...%20console.jpg

heh glad someone else had trouble thought was just me only just got to mine was missing when i got it but wanted to put it back properly.bit fiddly putting wires for elec windows and slide for hand brake is there an easy way to do that
Ian

If you are installing new carpeting, you MUST install heat insulation in the passenger area. Cover everything (even under the entire tranny tunnel) from as high up on the firewall as you can reach, to, and including, the rear bulkhead behind the seats. You really do not need heat insulation in the storage compartment. Soundproofing, maybe...but not heat insulation.

Dynamat is a soundproofing product with a layer of foil to reflect radiant heat. It delays the transfer of conducted heat...but it won't reject it. And, Dynamat is expensive. Reflectix is basically a "bubble wrap" covered on both sides with foil. For the cost (inexpensive) it does a very good job of heat rejection. It is not as durable as Dynamat and it doesn't soundproof very much...but, it is stictly meant to be a heat rejector/insulator. You can install both the heat insulation AND soundproofing, but that gets to be a pretty thick setup with carpeting, too. But, you do need something under the carpet to minimize the heat.

If you go with Reflectix (Home Depot insulation area), also buy a big role of foil tape to seal all the butt-jointed seams that you will create and a can of 3M adhesive spray which you can use to make the vertical and curved floor surfaces tacky before you slap a piece of Reflectix down to the floor. A big pair of shears (large scissiors) is useful, although not absolutely necessary...scissors will get the job done. One 4' x 10' roll of Reflectix is more than enough for the car's entire interior area.

I agree with 7T1vettte wholeheartedly. I used husmat on the pan then put reflectix on top of that. Now my interior is comfortable. I only put husmat in the storage compartment area.

I also recommend that you chase the theads on the bolt for the pb console and retap the nut on the pb console. Mine had been cross threaded and was impossible to get back in until I did those things.

I got the pb console with the small stowage from Ecklers. I love it. Be sure to punch the holes with a soldering iron. This will save runs from bolts/threads later.

Attachment 48151463

Actually, for that bolt going into the back of the E-brake housing, you should just cut the head off the bolt and use a grinder to round off the stub end. Then, thread it back into the threaded member in the E-brake housing, along with another nut so it will remain locked in position.

Then, to reassemble it, just stick the rounded end of that bolt back in the hole in the rear bulkhead, push the housing back in position and install the other 4 screws. You never have to go after that @#$*&^^% bolt again!! :thumbs:

I like that idea!

:iagree:Thats what I did. Great idea!

Excellent thread , saved me lots of headaches
Thanks

be sure and check all the little clips that need to be in place to secure both the emergency brake console and the shifter console...sometimes they need a little help from a pair of pliers to stay where their supposed to...just finished putting new consoles in our 73..

http://images1.snapfish.com/23232323...%3B46338nu0mrj

http://images1.snapfish.com/23232323...A%3C2338nu0mrj

http://images1.snapfish.com/23232323...3B966338nu0mrj

I also am a big fan of Dynamat

http://images1.snapfish.com/23232323...6%3C4338nu0mrj

You'll need about 12 sheets to do the whole inside of the car...you can get on Amazon for $134.00 for 9 sheets you have to get 2 boxes.

Hey Paul I started a thread called "Some before and after pictures...not quite done" its really all about what you are fixin to do....this is what the end result is...

http://images1.snapfish.com/23232323...8%3A7338nu0mrj

See .... You can find any answer in these forums, I've been scratching my head over this for the last day and a half!!!!
Thanks for the info on the mystery bolt.

I have the Reflectix and am planning on buying the Dynamat as well, both will go in the front and Dynamax only in the rear. My question is which should I put down first up front, the Dynamat or the Reflectix or does it really matter?