Centre console

MikeT · Unread post by **MikeT** » 25 Nov 2008, 15:17

Are they easy to remove and would it give me a route to the engine bay via, what I call, the gearbox tunnel?

Stempy · Unread post by **Stempy** » 25 Nov 2008, 19:24

It's a bit of a pig to get the hand brake out of the way but it will come out with enough BF&I. I don't recall there being any way into the engine bay without drilling holes. I looked in vain with the hope of finding a through route when I did the matrix.

KevMayer · Unread post by **KevMayer** » 25 Nov 2008, 19:45

To remove the centre console you need to take the front wheels off and release the handbrake cable on both brake callipers.

Working inside the car you can then release the cable from the handbrake lever.

With the cable off you need to lift the handbrake to the vertical and lift the console off over it.

reblack68 · Unread post by **reblack68** » 25 Nov 2008, 20:42

I tried to find a way through when I was installing a 12S socket but I ended up connecting the cable into the fusebox.

MikeT · Unread post by **MikeT** » 25 Nov 2008, 20:44

Stempy wrote:...I don't recall there being any way into the engine bay without drilling holes....

This was what I was told when I asked before so I went off the idea, especially when someone said they drilled through a harness. However, lLast time Citrojim came by he suggested under the tunnel

I was already considering the coin tray and ashtray as gauge space donors so it would be a neat solution to pass through there. Heat shields may be needed but that's a small price to pay considering the alternatives I think.

KevMayer wrote:To remove the centre console you need to take the front wheels off and release the handbrake cable on both brake callipers.

That's handy, it's currently sitting on axle stands with RH wheel off

Cheers for the method, Kev.

addo · Unread post by **addo** » 25 Nov 2008, 20:48

I used the other approach detailed on this site, for the handbrake - loosened the three mount bolts after lifting the console slightly. Then you can tip it forward and unhook the cable. When reassembling, you trim away more carpet/underlay around the bolt positions.

Regards, Adam.

MikeT · Unread post by **MikeT** » 25 Nov 2008, 22:05

I'll let my nephew decide which method he wants to use then 8) Thanks addo

DickieG · Unread post by **DickieG** » 25 Nov 2008, 22:31

KevMayer wrote:To remove the centre console you need to take the front wheels off and release the handbrake cable on both brake callipers.

Oh good lord no don't go to all that hassle

simply press hard on the footbrake to assist in pulling up the handbrake high enough to allow the console to slip over the top of it. I've used this method on several Xantia's with total success

wheeler · Unread post by **wheeler** » 26 Nov 2008, 09:55

DickieG wrote:
KevMayer wrote:To remove the centre console you need to take the front wheels off and release the handbrake cable on both brake callipers.
Oh good lord no don't go to all that hassle simply press hard on the footbrake to assist in pulling up the handbrake high enough to allow the console to slip over the top of it. I've used this method on several Xantia's with total success

I was just thinking the same thing, I would never dream of going to the hassle of disconnecting the handbrake cables to remove the centre console, as dickie says foot hard on the brake & a good hard yank on the handbrake does the trick.

KevMayer · Unread post by **KevMayer** » 26 Nov 2008, 11:05

I've had my centre console out 2 times on a Xantia and disconnecting the brake cable was the only way I could think of to free up the lever enough to pull the console over it.

It was easy enough to disengage the handbrake cable. So easy that I'd do it the same way if I have to remove the console again.

I don't like giving handbrakes a good hard yank because of the risk of upsetting the adjustment of the cable or stretching an old cable.