Question about shifter assembly, (recycled thread, look at last post) Options

[HectortheRican]

How do I remove what I colored lime green? I've seen two screws by the seats and two more towards the front close to the pedals and the glove compartment. Are there any others?

This post has been edited by HectortheRican: Feb 21, 2011 - 6:47 PM

[MaskedMan]

That piece requires a quite a bit of work to take out, but it's doable. You'll pretty much have to remove a bunch of other stuff to remove that panel. First you'll remove the shifter surround, which will reveal 4 screws. 2 for the radio trim piece/climate control, and 2 for the center console. Remove all 4 of those screws, and then remove your radio trim. For the center console, it's 2 12mm bolts inside the storage area, and then a small 2 wire plug for the ashtray light. Lift it straight up and back towards the rear of the car, and then up from the parking brake handle. Now you're getting pretty close.

Now, look at the climate controls. You will see four more screws in that area. 2 holding in the climate control, and 2 more holding in the trim piece you are trying to remove. Take those out. Your climate control will not slide out yet. You will have to open your hood and undo the black cable held in by a metal clip. You will see it located on the firewall close to where your throttle body is. Once that one is free, go back inside your car, and go into the the driver side foot well area. You might as well remove the screw for the desired trim piece while you're down here. Look inside behind the trim piece and you'll see a blue cable this time for the climate control. Remove that. Now you'll be able to slide the climate control unit out and unplug the 3 harnesses connected to it. Then finally get that screw that connects to the lower left hand side of the glove box.

You may have to remove your glove box and the panel under the steering wheel for more clearance. It sounds like a lot of work, because it is. Which short shifter did you get? I've never had any problems installing a short shifter with that panel in place. Yeah it would be easier to have more room, but you can do it without removing that panel. If you want, I can take some pictures for you if you have any questions.