BEFORE and AFTER Center console cover walkthrough

[willko1]

If anyone is interested in a new center console covers let me know. I am getting one made for myself and thought I would see if other owners want one as i know mine is worn out! I am not sure if they are all the same in regards to 1997-2001 but I think they are. I am going to use some 1/4" foam and then lay new stitched (professionally done) vinyl or leather over it and re-secure it. I will do some before and afters also.
Walk Through Center Console Removal Below

[Q451990]

Sounds nice! You should post some before and after pics. We love pics

[willko1]

First these pictures are not of my center console cover but one that I ripped off in a junkyard from a 1997 q45, note the plastic broken pieces etc. I was not concerned about the the plastic as all I wanted was the parts. I also learned how to remove the lid properly after I quickly removed it from scrap yard it was 93 degrees and humid that day. The correct removal process obviously will need to be done while the console lid and hinge assembly are still in the vehicle

If you want the OEM parts from infinitipartsusa.com here is a link http://www.infinitipartsusa.com/Item-16 ... -47794.htm

I found out that you can just remove the console lid (photo with the foam on it) and not the entire unit just remove the 9 screws and then get something flat and thin to press up the pawl in the back, there is a spot in the plastic to insert barely visible in photos. If the pawl breaks I really don't think it would make a difference as there are 9 screws holding it down! Press up on pawl and then lift front of console lid towards back. After the console lid is removed the leather/vinyl is glued in place with some contact adhesive and removal was easy just like pealing off tape.
If you want to take off the hinge assembly below the console lid (although you don't have to in order to get leather cover on/off) you have to remove console lid first.(see pic below) Cant get pics rotated but you can save them to your computer and flip them zoom in etc.

[img]http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/ ... .jpg[/img]
Console Lid Above
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Above Console Lid LEFT Hinge Mechanism RIGHT
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Above Underside of Hinge Mechanism screw heads go in holes
[img]http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/ ... .jpg[/img]

Hinge Assembly removal from center console is easy but a little tricky as there is that cool either side hinge mechanism. This obviously must be done with the hinge assembly still in the car as opposed to the one I am showing than was removed from a junker by snapping it off.

Cant get pics rotated but you can save them to your computer and flip them zoom in etc.

First: Take off the button fascia bezels 1&2 in photo, they just slide off.

Second: Note where the spring ends are look at the center of the slide arm (see photo) also there is a barrel spring under the arm, neither of these popped on me and don't seem like they will as they are not high pressure and are fixed in place pretty well.

Third: Push back the retainer clips 3 and pull up past lip then do the same with 4. remove the slide arm assembly.

Fourth: The black connected top rods float, but the lower rod set that hinge and keep the assembly in place have constant pressure springs so push the black spring slide rods and you can remove the hinge assembly from the center console.
[img]http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/ ... .jpg[/img]

HERE IS THE FINISHED PRODUCT
Well decided to try and match the wood trim so that all gets tied together

BEFORE
[img]http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/ ... .jpg[/img]
[img]http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/ ... .jpg[/img]

AFTER
[img]http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/ ... .jpg[/img]
[img]http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/ ... .jpg[/img]
[img]http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/ ... .jpg[/img]
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[paranoidjack]

Wow. Yes, I am in it to win it bro! I need one, and need one badly.

[willko1]

Wow. Yes, I am in it to win it bro! I need one, and need one badly.

Ok do you want me to have her make another and I will just send it to you or do you want to send me the console cover and I do it? what color leather, I am going to store today to pick out material.

[paranoidjack]

Let's see what you make first willko! I want to see a beautiful finished product. What is your interior color? The light beige? You have an AE so I imagine our cars are identical.

[paranoidjack]

I always thought about recovering my console in the same color leather as the plastic side panels and steering wheel/shifter leather (the darker gray one).

[willko1]

Let's see what you make first willko! I want to see a beautiful finished product. What is your interior color? The light beige? You have an AE so I imagine our cars are identical.

I'm not stitching it but a person that makes massage tables, seats, etc, her whole family is in the upholstery business. She uses a clear thread to stitch with so that it blends with the fabric and makes a really seamless look. She has some good cement to reapply the underside also. Yea my interior is the beige and yellow trim wood with the grey steering wheel and shifter. I will have to get more cloth than needed so maybe there will be enough for two, not sure on the color yet but i will see what hobby lobby has.

I should really be working on the components to get my camber and steering back in place but cant seem to get much specific info maybe you can pass on some knowledge. what usually needs to be replaced at 107K beside struts/springs and tension bar grommet. My rear camber is way out on driver side.

[Q451990]

Awesome write-up as usual. Your stuff reminds me of one of our members back in the early days named Tangalora.

Heath

[willko1]

Awesome write-up as usual. Your stuff reminds me of one of our members back in the early days named Tangalora.

Heath

Well Heath the Tangalora person must have been a really cool dude . I'm just trying to be part of the board as an active member so that others may be more inclined to share info in a manner that is easy to understand and thorough. I was part of the V70 Volvo forums for a while and the board was awesome, great info and write ups plus cheap part locators etc, this board has less active people and lots of can you help me without any give back it seems. I find scattered info when searching posts but most of the thorough stuff seems to be for the first gen 45's as well as the aftermarket parts. Max, you, and jack seems to be the most active members for the FGY33 and I appreciate your input.

Best Will K

[paranoidjack]

Awesome write-up as usual. Your stuff reminds me of one of our members back in the early days named Tangalora.

Heath

Well Heath the Tangalora person must have been a really cool dude . I'm just trying to be part of the board as an active member so that others may be more inclined to share info in a manner that is easy to understand and thorough. I was part of the V70 Volvo forums for a while and the board was awesome, great info and write ups plus cheap part locators etc, this board has less active people and lots of can you help me without any give back it seems. I find scattered info when searching posts but most of the thorough stuff seems to be for the first gen 45's as well as the aftermarket parts. Max, you, and jack seems to be the most active members for the FGY33 and I appreciate your input.

Best Will K

SHE was cool, but sadly she passed away. As far as what to replace, well there's the thread I posted about everything front. Don't forget tension rods and sway bar bushings. Cheap and important.

As for the rear, believe it or not, I don't have much experience with it. A friend of mine did the rear as I didn't have time to do ti and only did the fronts myself.

I need to redo everything (220k now), so I'll be back into it soon. After the winter probably.

[willko1]

P Jack
Looked for some leather today at Hobby Lobby not much in the way of vinyl/leather will have to look elsewhere. Talked with Joe T at infinity parts usa today and it turns out they have nothing for the rear suspension in the ways of grommets/bushings except for sway bar bushings I think. Looks like all the upper front and rear tension bars only come as an assembly, that really sucks ball-bearings!

[maxnix]

The front anti-sway bar links are available separately.

[willko1]

I always thought about recovering my console in the same color leather as the plastic side panels and steering wheel/shifter leather (the darker gray one).

HERE IS THE FINISHED PRODUCT
Well decided to try and match the wood trim so that all gets tied together

BEFORE
[img]http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/ ... .jpg[/img]
[img]http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/ ... .jpg[/img]

AFTER
[img]http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/ ... .jpg[/img]
[img]http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/ ... .jpg[/img]
[img]http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/ ... .jpg[/img]
[img]http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/ ... .jpg[/img]
[img]http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/ ... .jpg[/img]
[img]http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/ ... .jpg[/img]

[paranoidjack]

GREAT job. Can we get any close ups of it? I think I'd be interested in seeing if you could make one for me...

Thanks!

[paranoidjack]

Nevermind, sorry - closeups are there, my phone didn't show them. GREAT job, PM let me know what I'm looking at.

[willko1]

Nevermind, sorry - closeups are there, my phone didn't show them. GREAT job, PM let me know what I'm looking at.

Yea I'm really happy, it turned out nice, the slight indentations smoother out so it looks even better after I put on some protectent. my contact is willrkirst---@---yahoo--- . ---com obviously without the dashes. cant seem to find the PM thing and I am not set up. Price would be cheap if you put the cover on yourself but the gluing takes a few hours and you need some clamps and Popsicle sticks. let me know.