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Thread: dash center console removal?
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boyotoyo
1st Gear
Posts: 33
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posted September 01, 2010 01:45 PM |
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dash center console removal?
Having trouble removing the plastic center console on my 74'. Are there any tricky (hidden) screws that I should be looking for.
I have already removed
-radio knobs/nuts/faceplate
-dimmer resistor
-light bulbs behind warning lights
-wires leading to cigar lighter
-knobs to fan/heater levers
-two obvious screws at top of center console
-one screw at top hidden behind ashtray
I have it to wear it will wiggle a little but I fear of putting too much pressure on it and forcing it out as it is in really nice shape and I dont want to crack it.
The factory shop manual isn't much help on the subject either when it comes to this type of thing. Just glosses over it like it will pop right out with no trouble but I'm sure everyone knows better.
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repu510
Hauling
Posts: 141
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posted September 04, 2010 07:31 AM |
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try unscrewing the lighter casing from behind console. on my 74, i needed to turn the entire case to unscrew it and pull the lighter out before the panel came loose.
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boyotoyo
1st Gear
Posts: 33
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posted September 04, 2010 01:34 PM |
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Thanks Repu510,
Actually, I already tried that too. It did loosen things up just a little but there was obviously still something holding down this center plastic section.
So, pushing from behind, I popped out the black bezel where the heat/fan levers are hoping this would give me a better look. There are two small screws that that go into the back of that bezel. These screws simply secure a wire that holds two of the backlight bulbs (just in case any other first timers are trying this). They did not have anything to do with holding in the whole plastic center console, but would still need to be removed before pulling the whole center console out or you will drag the wires with you.
After that I DID discover the problem. There ARE two additional screws holding this center console on. There is a metal bracket that supports the slide levers for heat/fan etc... These two screws actually go through that metal bracket and into the back of the plastic console.
By this time I figured I had it licked, right? :( Well, Mazda did us a favor for the screw nearest the steering wheel as the head will take an 8mm socket. Got that one off no problem. The other screw is simply a philips head.
BIG PROBLEM. Looks like someone else beat me to it and has stripped the head on this screw. Spent all morning trying to get out one screw and still working on it. Pushed with all my might trying to keep the screwdriver down into the slots when turning but it just keeps sliding out. No room for a drill to grind the head off either. Hmmm. I need an Old Milwaukee and some time to think about this here thing.
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Klaus42
Rotorhead
Posts: 1877
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posted March 29, 2011 10:05 AM |
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Whatever else you end up doing, get yourself a can of Kroil, as well as a fine applicator tip to fit it. (The latter available at better toy and hobby stores). Kroil is the *finest* penetrating oil on the market -- spendy, but oh so worth it!
Can you reach in there with *small* vise grips?
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