ROG100

I think I know the answer but wanted to make sure.
Center console has to be removed to gain access to the HVAC unit and also Radio.
I can feel the screws in each corner of the front HVAC panel but they are only accessible from the rear.

vze2jshn

Side panels of center console have to be taken off to remove radio probably from passenger side after removing radio ***** and retaining nuts. Then work on getting to 4 screws--one at each corner of HVAC head. you may also want to remove blower switch **** and blower switch b4fore pulling HVAC head. My experience is to take your time figuring in what order to remove related items. Hope I understood your question and have been of some assistance.

LT Texan

I've never really tried to remove it without removing the console first. I couldn't imagine how. Or could imagine how it would be easier.

linderpat

Center consol doesn't have to be removed to remove radio. Not sure about a/c unit, but I need to get in there to replace a **** and re-attach the little light behind it. Roger - do you sell those *****? I need the bottom one -mine broke.

ROG100

Greg,
The screws are only accesible from the rear so I guess it would be possible to get in there with a stubby screw driver. I am not as agile as I used to be 8>).
I am thinking it will be quicker and easier to remove the console.

Lots of other things to deal with while the console is out. Like removing the stick shift and slotting a rogerbox in there 8>).

Ed,
We sell lots of HVAC slider ***** and the clips that go with them.

linderpat

Excellent Rog - please send me one - for the lower if it makes a difference. Should I call you or is thread sufficient?

killav

Roger,

I missed your call completly today. Sorry buddy.

To answer your question, when the car was in my possesion, I had to unbolt the console and maneuver the console around to get to the screws on the back of the head unit. It was a major PITA. And a gotcha is that some of the vacuume lines on the head unit pop off when moving around the console in order to get to the screws. You then need the workshop manual right in front of you in order to hook them back up in the right place (they are color coded).

Hope this helps.

vze2jshn

[QUOTE=ROG100;8756283]Greg,
The screws are only accesible from the rear so I guess it would be possible to get in there with a stubby screw driver. I am not as agile as I used to be 8>).
I am thinking it will be quicker and easier to remove the console.

I've used a stubby and a magnetic tipped screwdriver to get at the screws.You may also have a little better access when you disconnect and remove the warning panel--but make sure you plug it back in correctly, not upside down. Generally it is a real PITA. I've been in there a few times over the years. I've had the center console off only once during the process of replacing a bum evaporator. As someone else has noted, either way it is not a fun job. You need a lot of patience to work in these tight quarters.

Ducman82

on my 81 the screws are behind a trim piece... so you can get to them from the front.

kelanel

Same on my 84' as with ducman82.

I had to get the hvac head out once for the led upgrade i put in. Im not sure what is bolting down the stock radio, but I had to slip the radio out some first to get the trim off, same with the notification system between the hvac and radio, itll need to slip out a little to let the trim off. . i have an aftermarket radio head on so i just pull it right out. Once I got the trim off, there was just a couple of screws in the front that held down the hvac . I had to pull it out in a slant due to the huge wire coupler on the left side of it for what i could only guess was the vacuum actuator controller.

hope this helps!

Chuck Schreiber

Weird Roger.
My 79 was all acessable once the trim was taken off. How could 78 and 79 be that much different???
Trim came off, all screws were exposed.

SeanR

These late '77 early '78 builds were all different, at least it seems that way to me. Each one has different parts, set up differently, they are odd ducks. With Roger having 4-5 of these early cars drives me crazy some days.

Glad he's working on this one and taking the time to relax a bit.

Chuck Schreiber

Not the best pics, and I had already removed head unit at the time.
This is basically what I saw after outer trim piece was removed.
You have some kind of addtional piece covering all your screws on the center console components.

linderpat

On my 78, that front trim peice does not come off. It is a glued on piece, and you will destroy the consol trying to remove it.

Chuck Schreiber

Sounds like once Porsche Techs had to start diving in there to fix things, they bitched and moaned, and changes were made by the factory.