So I took the console lid off the '85 a month or so ago to recover it, now I just went to put it back on and I forgot how the stupid spring loaded thing goes back inside the console.....You access this by removing the rear ashtray. Could someone describe how this should go back, or remove their rear ashtray and snap a pic. Thanks

Bump. Still can't remember how this goes.....anyone?

Hello, I dont have a camera at the moment to take an adequate pic, but I would certainly recommend removing the entire console so you can put that coil back in from the bottom. Trying to put it in through the Ash tray slot is doable but extremely difficult, I had hell doing it this way. Since those springs seem to break every few years, I bought a box of extra replacements and do it every 2-3 years. Once you get the console off and look at it, its pretty obvious how it goes in.

Their are two holes the spring goes in, one mounted with a metal clip to the inner console, and the other hole is in the arm coming from the lid. Put the spring into the console clip hole first, then you have to kinda twist it back onto itself to get it in the hole in the lid arm. Seems like the lid has to be about half open to get it in right. I hope this makes sense, I suck at describing things in text. If I was there I could put the thing in for you in about 10 seconds.

When I get my camera back, if this thread is still floating around unresolved, I will snap a few pics for you.

where do you buy the return springs ... mine just broke and i cant seem to find them ...are they all the same spring? i have a 89 gta

Thanks for the description viper......I'll try again with your description on the weekend and report back.

I took some pics for another forum, so I might as well throw them up here too.

Heres the spring I am reFering to:




The open lid.....note the metal arm going through the hole in the console:



And here is the area i am talking about behind the rear ashtray.....You can see the metal arm coming through the top oF the console....what I need to know is how I am suppose to connect the spring to the end oF this arm.......Even iF someone could pull out their ashtray For me(only two screws) and snap a pic oF this area that would be very helpFul.



Thanks guys

It's not easy, and you can't just do it through the rear ashtray hole. You have to have the console upside down with the lid closed to get it right. I used to have a working one. I'll see if I can't come up with something a little more concrete when I have my day off on Friday, but that's all I remember. The Camaro console is set up the same way with the same spring and all, just in a different direction, if you happen to know someone with a working one, it will help you go in the right direction.

BTW, nice fix for the console lid. What size staples did you use? I tried that with my original, which was too broken to fix, I guess.

Well that sucks.....How difficult is it to remove the console??


I don't really remember what size staples those were....but the trick is to staple to the outter edge thats soft enough to receive the staples.

Not hard. The hardest part for me was actually pulling the wire off the cigarette lighter lol. Just pull the C clip out of the shifter knob and take it off, then start unbolting and unplugging wires. Be careful with the plastic parts i.e. shifter plate and window switches. And remember where everything goes back!