sprtbikeprinces

I did a search but cant seem to find a step by step swap out for 90 camaro rs upper console.
It had worked on this for a few hours now and seem to be stuck at the part where I put in the new one. The only thing I have not taken apart is the e brake. I am ready to throw my tools into the street please help!!!

Jay

iTrader: (2)

I'm not understanding the problem. You have the old console top out.. and can;t figure out how the new one goes back in?

sprtbikeprinces

Well yeah...See the old one was in many pieces (so easy to get it off)because someone broke into and stole the stereo out of it so I guess they must have pryed it plastics to get what they wanted.
I managed to unbolt all of the console and the piece that goe under the steering wheel becasue I thought it would make it easier to install the new one but the e brake is in the way and Im not sure if it has to come out as well. I figure there has got to be a trick to it. I did get the handle off the e brake but it didnt help too much.
When I took off the old piece I was looking to see how it went back in but the e brake thing...? I have a manuel bt its very technical and mostly for like electrical and stuff. I feel pretty dumb about now.

memblin

I just pulled the upper console in a junk yard to replace mine. When I pulled it I had to use a phillips head to unscrew the plastic grip on the E-brake handle. I assume I'll have to do the same to put the salvaged one back on. The handle won't fit through the slot any other way from what I could tell.

Jim85IROC

iTrader: (2)

That would be correct. As a general rule, if something is in the way, taking it off is usually the way to go.

sprtbikeprinces

, but that is the point in which I am stuck.
I removed the plastic cover thingy (on the ebrake) at the top but the metal stick remains. So I guess my question now is;

Must the e brake be removed in order for the upper console to be put in or taken out? If yes, then my next question is; how do I take it out?

I can take most things apart and put em back but I cant see how the ebrake comes apart. (I am stuborn and wont take it to a shop).
Thanks for your help.

82 Iron Duke

iTrader: (21)

After you remove the e-brake handle you must pull it ALL THE WAY BACK, it will make installing it much easier. Once you have it pulled all the way back, the upper console will slide over the e-brake, it takes a bit of patience the first time so go slow.

sprtbikeprinces

I will try to get it up, just need some more muscle to get it all the way up. Thanks!

HCR13

iTrader: (5)

If nothing else, remove the driver seat. That should free up some "wedge" room...

82 Iron Duke

iTrader: (21)

More work but what the heck, I just wanted to comment on HCR13's sig, AWSOME

sprtbikeprinces

LOL, i thought about it and was lookin for the bolts yesterday, why not, I took most of the car apart anyway. hee hee.


I agree on the sig..it is awesome!

sprtbikeprinces

Wow, nice car! looks clean.

Jay

iTrader: (2)

I can type out the proceedure to remove the ebrake if you want. If your rear brakes are working you might not be able to get the handle up far enough. The 90+ has a self adjusting ebrake so it's not as easy to just pull up on it.
You can just unbolt it from the floor... but it's a bitch trying to get it to line back up.
I can type out the proceedure to remove the ebrake if you want.

HCR13

iTrader: (5)

Thanks for the comments. Its insane what kind of ideas you get when you can't sleep at 2am!

sprtbikeprinces

I would love that, If I cant get it up then I guess I wont have a choice.

I just got the new carpet from hawks will I need to move the entire console (its has the console cut out), I just dont want to have to repeat all that work again.

sprtbikeprinces

I thought the same thing but a few bolts turned into a monster. When I figure it out I will post it cause you will be tossin your tools in the street too! lol hee hee

Jay

iTrader: (2)

Don't know how much this helps but this is what I have.
Good luck Kinda of confusing but put the word Remove or Disconnect after each number and it makes more sense.. of course step 2 is "remove console" which is what you are trying to do lol. The steps to remove the console really aren't helpful. The only other thing I can tell you is that the top bends a LOT! I always worry about breaking it because it's a pain to work it over the ebrake handle but I haven't every yet and I lost count how many I have taken apart.

sprtbikeprinces

This may or may not be important but I figured out how to get the e brake all the way up. There is a little pin thingy that is located near the arm/hole area but on the back side of it. I pulled that pin and the ebrake then had low resistance and I was able to put it straight up and the upper portion of the console was super easy to put in. Now the only thing is that the pin fell down a hole and I am unable to retrieve it so i guess what i am asking is : how important is that little wire what is its purpose?
btw jay, thanks for the diagram it did help me figure it out.

HCR13

iTrader: (5)

Why don't you buy an extendable magnet? Maybe you can get the pin with that...

mjwadams

I took the console out and replaced it as part of installing new carpet. Biggest pain in the *** of the whole job. There is just not enough clearance to get it over the parking brake. I didn't want to remove the brake either.

The trick is the panel under the steering wheel, in front of the fuses. Remove the 4 bolts, and it will drop down. You now have (barely) enough clearance to remove it and get it back in. Getting it back in is harder, but it can be done without removing the parking brake. The only thing you have to remove is the handle cover, which is just one screw.

mjwadams

I forgot, you also have to take off the metal bracket inside the console.

sprtbikeprinces

what metal bracket? I got it all put in nice but the ebrake still has low resistance. In other words I can pull it all the way up where as before the pin thing only let me pull it up about hal way. So far it all works but I have not parked on any hills as of late.
So if any of you see me going down a steep hill backwards well then you know what happend.. lol

sprtbikeprinces

That is a good idea. It was real easy to pull out but the holes sit right up against the plastic wall of the console passanger side and it seems impossible get back on there. But Im sure it has been done before I just have to figure out the trick to it. I have pretty long thin fingers but its still seem hard.

mjwadams

I never messed with the E-brake assembly. Just looking at it scared me . The metal bracket I was referring to is part of the console and connects the 2 sides together

sprtbikeprinces

Ohhhhh, okay. You are so smart! Okay, that's gonna help me lots. Where can I find the bracket and do I gotta pull the seats out?

HCR13

iTrader: (5)

quick question. What exactly are you trying to do? You're installing a new center console, correct? I've read a couple of the first few posts and a bit confused what the problem is...

Jay

iTrader: (2)

I'm not sure about the pin, I've never pulled one out. If you can find it.. I would remove the passenger seat, then unbolt the two rear bolts holding the lower console down(you can leave the upper console in place, just lift it up enough to get at the bolts under it.. a pain but do-able). Also the center one near the shifter. Then with the upper console still in place lift the back of th whole assembly so you can get at the other side of the parking brake easily. Well more easy than if the console was in the way.

edit -
Ok I just looked at my extra one I had laying around ( which is all rusty now I need a better storage area ) What "pin" did you lose exactly? The little spring wire thing that is sort of clipped in? If so that's what makes the self adjuster part work. If you can;t find one you will probably have to buy another parking brake assembly or find one in a junkyard. I forget what years but I think it's only 90-92 that came with the self adjuster, unless yours doesn't have the self adjuster. I honestly forget what was the first year they cam with them.

sprtbikeprinces

The upper portion of the center console or upper console I guess. Most of the plastic holes in the upper console were busted and it was cracked in half so I got a nicer one (from house of camaro) and was attempting to just replace the upper console portion and shift plate. It seemed pretty easy but I just couldnt figure out how it gets over the ebrake because the stick (I took off the handle) would only go up half way. I pulled out the tiny metal pin attached to the side of the ebrake which allowed it to be pulled up all of the way.
So, as of now I put the upper console back in but once the upper console was in I couldnt reach the little pin because of where it sits. I know it sounds retarded...lol.
----------
YES! the spring wire thing that is clipped in. So I guess I need that. I think that I can retrieve it with the magnet. thanks

mjwadams

I replaced mine as part of a leather seat/new carpet installation, so when I replaced it, I had the front seats out. I don't know if you have to remove the seats, but it probably makes removing the center console easier. I did both (the upper plastic with the shift cover, and the lower carpeted part.

I replaced it without removing the E-brake stick. With the console out, install all of the pins and springs so your parking brake works right, then you should be able to get it back in. Here is what I did for removal and installation:

Removal:

1. Removed all of the torx bolts for the shift boot. Remove the shifter **** and boot.
2. Removed all of the torx bolts for the console itself and the stereo face plate.
3. Removed the cover for the storage area.
4. Removed the parking brake handle cover.
5. Removed all of the bolts inside the storage area (I think there are 6 or 7)
6. Removed the bolts near the shifter attaching the carpeted part to the center hump of the chassis.
6. At this point, I can lift the console up, but still can't remove it. It won't clear the parking brake assembly.
7. In order to get it to clear, I had to remove the panel under the steering wheel (4 torx bolts if I remember right) and a metal bracket connecting the 2 sides of the lower console in the shifter area. At this point, I could wiggle it enough to clear, but it still was a pain to get out, both for the black plastic part and the carpeted part.

Installation:
1. With panel under steering wheel removed and bracket in lower console removed, install carpeted part. It is as PITA, but with the steering wheel panel and braket removed, you shoud be able to clear the parking brake assembly, if you have the parking brake pulled all the way back.
2. Attach all the bolts for the lower console and install the bracket.
3. Installing the upper (black plastic) part is the same. Slide the lower left corner under the steering wheel panel. You may have to bend it a little to clear the parking brake, but it should clear.
4. At this point you should be able to reinstall all of the remaining covers and panels.

82 Iron Duke

iTrader: (21)

WOW, all this info for a 10 minute job

sprtbikeprinces

Thank you so much for the step by step.

my82roc

iTrader: (101)

Only took me about 30 minutes to swap out a complete center in an 86 Iroc.The plastic radio mounts were broken off on the drivers side and it made my delco cd player skip alot while driving.I learned about the pulling up on the ebrake lever trick at the boneyard while removing the donar part.Also added a center console clock during the swap as the donar car had a really nice one.It really wasnt that hard to do at all