How to remove Cupholder?
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BAD97LSC
Dedicated LVC Member
you have to take the entire console out first, the cup holder assembly is screwed to the console from the bottom.
98lincmk7lsc
Dedicated LVC Member
I don't know what part of the process you're at, and I don't know how much you know, so just to make sure, I'll start at the beginning.....
First you need to remove the heated seat switch panel, if so equipped, otherwise, it's just the defroster switch panel. To do so, set the parking brake and put the shifter in 1st gear to give yourself some room to work. Now, either pry the defroster panel out with your fingers, or very carefully pry it out with a small, thin screwdriver. I recently read about one member sticking a small allen wrench in at the top of the defroster panel sideways and then rotating it down and pulling the panel out with the allen wrench. Whichever you're most comfortable with. Just be careful not to chip that wood trim piece!
Once the defroster panel is out, you can see that the wood trim piece is held in by 2 Torx screws. I think the head of the screw is 7mm, so if you have a nut-driver it's a little easier. Remove those 2 screws and then start gently prying around the top of the wood piece. Be really careful, cuz it chips really easily. Once you get the vertical part of it loose, you'll need to pry the bottom, horizontal part straight up. It's held in by 2 clips, one on each side. Again, be really careful! As you pull it up, be sure to unhook the grounding wire to the right of where the shifter is, on the underside of the wood trim. Set this piece aside in a safe place.
Now that the wood trim is out of the way, you'll see a bracket just in front of the shifter. It should have 6 screws in it. 2 are horizontal, and the other 4 are vertical. 2 of them attach the shifter plate to this bracket. Remove all 6, and then remove the bracket. You should also see that the shifter plate is clipped into the ashtray/cupholder assembly. Carefully pry it up on both sides.
Open up your center console compartment and locate the 2 screws at the very bottom. Remove them, and you should find that the entire center console is now loose. Locate the cigarette lighter plug at the forward end of the console and unplug it. IIRC, that should get you to the point where your center console will now be able to be completely removed. Take it out of the car and set it on a workbench or something.
Flip the console upside down, and from here you should be able to locate the 6 screws that hold the ashtray/cupholder assembly in place. I think the 2 that are closest to the center console compartment are the hardest to get to. Once these screws are removed, I think there are 2 places that clip into the center console compartment, similarly to the way the shifter assembly clipped into the ashtray assembly. Carefully pry that loose and spread the center console sides outward and slide the ashtray/cupholder assembly out. Remember, exercise extreme caution with the entire process.
I'm sure you're familiar with the cost of replacing anything in the center console.
It's really not that complicated as long as you know where all of the attachment points are. If I've forgotten something, I'm sure someone will chime in. Otherwise, I'm sure you'll be able to do it with the instructions listed above. Good luck!!
Oh, and if you need something to do with your old assembly, you can send it to me as payment for the instructions.
First you need to remove the heated seat switch panel, if so equipped, otherwise, it's just the defroster switch panel. To do so, set the parking brake and put the shifter in 1st gear to give yourself some room to work. Now, either pry the defroster panel out with your fingers, or very carefully pry it out with a small, thin screwdriver. I recently read about one member sticking a small allen wrench in at the top of the defroster panel sideways and then rotating it down and pulling the panel out with the allen wrench. Whichever you're most comfortable with. Just be careful not to chip that wood trim piece!
Once the defroster panel is out, you can see that the wood trim piece is held in by 2 Torx screws. I think the head of the screw is 7mm, so if you have a nut-driver it's a little easier. Remove those 2 screws and then start gently prying around the top of the wood piece. Be really careful, cuz it chips really easily. Once you get the vertical part of it loose, you'll need to pry the bottom, horizontal part straight up. It's held in by 2 clips, one on each side. Again, be really careful! As you pull it up, be sure to unhook the grounding wire to the right of where the shifter is, on the underside of the wood trim. Set this piece aside in a safe place.
Now that the wood trim is out of the way, you'll see a bracket just in front of the shifter. It should have 6 screws in it. 2 are horizontal, and the other 4 are vertical. 2 of them attach the shifter plate to this bracket. Remove all 6, and then remove the bracket. You should also see that the shifter plate is clipped into the ashtray/cupholder assembly. Carefully pry it up on both sides.
Open up your center console compartment and locate the 2 screws at the very bottom. Remove them, and you should find that the entire center console is now loose. Locate the cigarette lighter plug at the forward end of the console and unplug it. IIRC, that should get you to the point where your center console will now be able to be completely removed. Take it out of the car and set it on a workbench or something.
Flip the console upside down, and from here you should be able to locate the 6 screws that hold the ashtray/cupholder assembly in place. I think the 2 that are closest to the center console compartment are the hardest to get to. Once these screws are removed, I think there are 2 places that clip into the center console compartment, similarly to the way the shifter assembly clipped into the ashtray assembly. Carefully pry that loose and spread the center console sides outward and slide the ashtray/cupholder assembly out. Remember, exercise extreme caution with the entire process.
I'm sure you're familiar with the cost of replacing anything in the center console.
It's really not that complicated as long as you know where all of the attachment points are. If I've forgotten something, I'm sure someone will chime in. Otherwise, I'm sure you'll be able to do it with the instructions listed above. Good luck!!
Oh, and if you need something to do with your old assembly, you can send it to me as payment for the instructions.
kustomizingkid
Dedicated LVC Member
Its a PITA, an you get to play with all the breakable stuff... fun fun
98lincmk7lsc
Dedicated LVC Member
How'd it turn out? All done? Any problems?
I didn't have much time to do it this weekend but will do as soon as I get my exams taken care of.
Hey so I am trying to get it out this weekend and I having rouble with removing the shifter plate. So are you suppose to lift it up and then pull it or pull it forward??? I dont really understand that part.
kustomizingkid
Dedicated LVC Member
What?
The wood bezel comes off and then you can remove the center console without touching the shifter...
The wood bezel comes off and then you can remove the center console without touching the shifter...
No I already have the wood part off and from the instruction above you need to remove the shifter plate which is attached to the cupholder assembly.
"2 of them attach the shifter plate to this bracket. Remove all 6, and then remove the bracket. You should also see that the shifter plate is clipped into the ashtray/cupholder assembly. Carefully pry it up on both sides."
"2 of them attach the shifter plate to this bracket. Remove all 6, and then remove the bracket. You should also see that the shifter plate is clipped into the ashtray/cupholder assembly. Carefully pry it up on both sides."
98lincmk7lsc
Dedicated LVC Member
Have you already removed all 6 of the screws? If so, then move to the rear of the shifter plate and it is clipped into the front of the cupholder assembly.
Look at the second picture here
You can see the 2 spots where the shifter plate clips into it.
See if that helps.
Look at the second picture here
You can see the 2 spots where the shifter plate clips into it.
See if that helps.
98lincmk7lsc
Dedicated LVC Member
You don't need to take it apart. Send me the cupholder assembly and it's pieces as it is.
Unless you mean that you haven't taken the cupholder out of the center console yet. Definitely do that first.
Unless you mean that you haven't taken the cupholder out of the center console yet. Definitely do that first.
Unless you mean that you haven't taken the cupholder out of the center console yet. Definitely do that first.
yep thats exactly what I mean, I have not taken it out yet. Looks like the back screws will give me problem will PM you when I ship it. This is my finals week in college so thats why its taking long and I am really lazy...lol
98lincmk7lsc
Dedicated LVC Member
That's cool. Just let me know.
chicken
SHEOOOOOOOOT
i just went through this hell on monday. i replaced my LH wing, you can tell ford didnt want the assembly coming apart
kustomizingkid
Dedicated LVC Member
But they wanted it to break very very easily!