How to disassemble center console?

[cricketislife]

Hello,

I have a 2003 Corolla CE. The plastic protruding things of the storage door flap (below the climate control) have broken and the flap is hanging by the springs. I am not able to reach the area properly to glue them back. I want to disassemble the entire center box so that I can better reach and glue them.

The flap is hanging down which really irritates me and I want to fix it. I read several threads on similar topic but no mention of how to remove the center console. I have a few questions and will appreciate if someone can answer them:

1. Is this a good idea to remove the console i.e. will I get a better reach after doing so?
2. What are the steps to disassemble the console?

I have taken out the panel around the shifter before. What to do next?

Thank you in advance.

[Raddman]

You have to take the plate on the shifter off first or a least pull it back so you can get hold of the center console, there is a screw behind the center climate knob(just pull the knob straight off) to remove and two screws on the bottom part (tip-put a cloth or something in the shifter console opening to catch any screws that might fall because if they do you'll have a hard time finding them) then just grab the bottom and pull down and towards you on the console, if you want you can disconnect the clock and other wires/things to pull it out completely to work on it easier...

I think I have some pictures, I'll post them later if you want, and I'm sure they have pictures with the full procedure somewhere in TN's threads, good luck

[cricketislife]

I was able to remove the entire console with the storage compartments. It is much easier to work on this now. I have glued the two plastic thingys. But this is temporary only. Is there a permanent solution to this issue besides replacing the entire panel?

Thanks.

[Raddman]

Originally Posted by cricketislife

I was able to remove the entire console with the storage compartments. It is much easier to work on this now. I have glued the two plastic thingys. But this is temporary only. Is there a permanent solution to this issue besides replacing the entire panel?

Thanks.

I tried gluing mine but the part is small and there is spring tension on it, and it broke the first time I tried to opening it, my one side broke years ago and I used a strong rubber band on it stretched across the back and it has held up ever since with the door working perfect, there was a thread a few weeks ago on the same subject I suggest you look for it, one guy velcroed it shut and a few had other ideas that they said worked, one even glued the door shut forever, this is a very common problem on the ninth generation corolla...good luck

BTW I first tried velcroing mine but it didn't work for me

[cricketislife]

Thanks... I have re-assembled the unit. I don't intend to use it because I know it will break again. If somehow I break it, I will try the rubber-band idea.

Thanks for your help...

[trd_rolla]

dealing with same problem. that metal pin fell behind console. flap is hanging on with nothing. thought about buying completely new console off ebay for 150usd. don't know how easy it is to remove old one and replace. wondering if same thing will happen with new console. they say it's a new design. who knows if the same thing will happen twice. may just keep flap completely off and leave storage just open to throw cds in. doesn't look that great with exposed hinges but what are you going to do?