Need Help Disassembling Center Console Panels

[Mike_T]

I want to install a toggle switch in the center console area behind the gearshift around the cup holders, and I'm having difficulty removing the cupholder panel.

I read the guide over on V8SHO.COM for Removing the Center Console, but all the pictures are after it's been removed, and the instructions are unclear and mention breaking plastic tabs and not knowing how the dealer could even do it without breaking anything.

So basically I'm looking for instructions on how to pull out that cupholder panel without breaking anything, and I'd also like to be able to be able to take out the liner in the armrest storage compartment.

Can anyone help?

 

[Mike_T]

Well I got impatient and tried to follow the instructions from V8SHO.COM - and ended up breaking the same plastic tabs as the author of that thread. And just as he said, I don't see any possible way to remove this cupholder panel "first" without breaking it - in case anyone is interested I believe the solution lies in removing the side panels of the armrest first - looks like there's a pair of screws on either side down low and near the bottom of the seatbacks. I think that might give you the slack you need to pry the tabs loose at the front or at least flex the cupholder enough to prevent breaking them.

Now if I could just figure out how to get under the carpet between the rear seat and the arm rest to hide the wire which runs to the SARC computer....

 

[SHOZ123]

Run the wire under the door sills.

The cup holder lifts up and forward.

The ashtray piece then pulls straight back and out.

 

[Mike_T]

The cup holder lifts up and forward.

I understand what you're saying (I think), but I don't see how this could have worked - there's a plastic tab in the back that clips under the shelf at the front of the armrest storage compartment (where the two hidden screws are that hold the armrest storage compartment liner in place) that would prevent lifting up.

I tried to squeeze a thin screwdriver under the top lip at the back of the cupholder, where it covers the hidden armrest storage compartment liner screws, and push forward to release the lower clip but it wouldn't budge. There wasn't enough flex in the panel.

Too late for me. Hope the next person has more luck!

 

[DavidT]

works for me:
open armrest cover.
insert flathead screwdriver into the cupholder lip.
gently twist the screwdriver. This will apply pressure to break the cupholder free.
One tip: don't install the switch on the left side The air duct for the back seats will present a problem for that location. As obvious as this is, I did it

 

[Mike_T]

Follow-up: installed switch and snapped the cupholder back in place - the metal retention clips at the front hold it firmly in place around the gearshift bezel - you'd never know it was missing the two plastic tabs at the front!