I just finished reassembling my console after having Eric the Plug Guy paint the stereo head unit etc. body colour. Along the way, I discovered an effective way to remove the side pieces (mine are covered in leather) on each side of the stereo/climate control area. As stated in several very usefull threads here, the side pieces are held by two screws forward in the footwell. They are also held by two snap-ins (?), one top one bottom. The screws are easy (duh.....), as is the bottom push-in. You just pull the panel aftward. The problem is with the top push-in--which is tough to dislodge without twisting the panel upwards, which I suspect will make it vulnerable to breakage. Here's the solution. Hold a slim Allen key in a pair of vicegrips. Push the panel away from the console--it'll move about 1/8". That is wide enough to allow you to push the Allen key between the side panel and the console, and do it up near the top of the panel--where you can feel the push-in clip. Turn the vicegrips 90 degree and the Allen key is now hooking the panel from the back, immediately below the clip. Give the vicegrips a good pull, and the push-clip releases, but does so straight without danger of lateral twist. Hope this helps--and thanks to those of you who posted about all the other stuff around dismantling the console.

 

Good Idea. Might put a bit of electrical tape on the allen key for protection of the PCM surround finish.

 

That's the Mark II version. I only sell the Mark I. You can charge far more than I for a far superior iteration! Great idea.

 

I have to admit I broke one of the top clips when I had to replace the fuse on the back of the PCM. The thing is still rock-solid even without the clip.

 

yabut, without that top clip the panels may be tight, but engine falls out.

 

I would caution you against that method. Take a look at my method captured with photos on the TOOKI installation thread.

https://rennlist.com/forums/997-foru...ion-guide.html

 

I was changng the ebrake handle yesterday and had to work around those top clips when removing my center console. Will definitely try this trick next time. Thanks for sharing!