blackbeauty89

i'm sure my firebird is like most people's with the center console pealing apart between the shift plate. has anyone ever tried fixing this with a glue of some sort? or anything? i want it fixed, i'd rather buy a new one, but they're discontinued on some sites and freakin expensive on others.

blackbeauty89

or not.

1ADan

iTrader: (4)

can't speak for everyone, but a lot of us (myself included) have abandoned the old pieces for 4th gen consoles. usually pretty cheap to find, fit with extremely minor modification, and have the added bonus of a cup holder or two.

you could try something similar to the arm rest fix since they are similar materials:
https://www.thirdgen.org/armrest

gta90

iTrader: (1)

I just finished restoring mine. Its pretty easy.

First thing I did was cut out some 2" x 2" wood pieces, sanded and cut to various lengths and end shapes (45 degree slant to match shape of console). B/c when you re glue the console, you need to clamp the console in about 4 places, depending on what all needs gluing. These wood pieces will evenly distribute the clamping pressure and save from scratches, etc.

After you have some wood pieces for your clamps, get 4 or 5 adjustable clamps. They sell these for cheaaaaap at harbor freight. They need to be able to clamp at least a foot width.

Then buy some gorilla glue (1 small bottle is plenty), and, optionally, some 5minute epoxy glue (lock tight).

Clean up the console, then wet the area you are gluing, put the gorilla glue into the gap (get a wet rag cuz this stuff expands a LOT), let it stand for about 3 minutes, then squeeze the console with the clamps and wood pieces. Don't clamp over the width of the console, but just around the thin side portion. That way you can clamp hard without distorting the console shape. The wood pieces I used vary in length from about 3" to 12" and have about 6 total. Get as much coverage as you can with the wood and space out the clamps evenly. (You don't need wood pieces, but just whatever accomplishes the same thing).

Once that is done, you can put some of the epoxy along the lip of the upholstry covering ,to anchor it down and to make it solid. You can clamp this too but its difficult and probably is better if you don't clamp.just fill in the rest of the crack. Might need to do some subtle cleanup with a razor (and gently) before using epoxy. Just make sure you do a good job with the gorilla glue step.

My console lid under-side plastic is falling apart, so I put a line of epoxy along any cracks. Works ok, but still fragile in other places. I have my console restored now, but to keep it like that I don't plan to open it.. just use as arm rest. That's just me...

This requires some work but will take away that peeling effect, and best of all for cheap. Should be less than $50 for everything. Beats paying $400! Also, if you do find a new 3rd gen console, most likely it will need cuts to the plastic insert, for the window/side mirror control buttons. So its not really practical.