Summertime is here and I want to remove my carpet and wash it. I have a 1999 Trans Am and found that removing the console was a major pain in the ***. First I unbolted it everywhere, removed my shift boot and ****, disconnected the lighters and traction control switch, etc. Then when it was time to pull it out, I pulled the e-brake back as far as it could go and went to work on lifting the console out. This is where I had a ton of trouble. First I tried lifting the back end of it out, but it wouldn't clear the e-brake handle. I was affraid to try and lift it any higher because the front part was still wedged underneath the stereo and the higher I lifted it, the more and more it felt like it was going to snap.
I tried pulling at it in a whole bunch of different ways. Finally, I put the car in 4th, twisted the console counterclockwise as far as it could go *insert horrible cracking sound* while pushing the back end of it up and I made it barely clear the e-brake handle.

Did I make a mistake and overlook something so blatantly obvious in trying to get it out, or are 4th gen f-body consoles always this much of a pain to get out? I mean, it's just a console and it makes me feel really really really stupid having to resort to just yanking at it like a caveman to get it out.

Also, another question: is there anyway to remove the e-brake handle without removing the entire assembly? Because now my ebrake handle is completely scuffed up from dragging the edge of the console on it while trying to pry it out.

 

I had the same problem a while back. I had to remove a seat to twist it off but it was still hard. That e-brake, I believe its rivited on so u'd have to drill that out

 

Did your e-brake handle get all scraped up?
Also, did you have a lot of trouble getting the console back in again?

 

I removed the leather handle from the handle itself. I don't quite remember what I did truthfully as it was atleast a year ago, but I know I had to have the button pressed down, and then it was a matter of working the cable out from somewhere and then it unhooks and you can get it out. It's hard as hell to do, but once the handle is out it makes it a little easier to get it off.

 

Guys... it's not that hard, but you are missing one HUGE thing... there is a release tab on the E-Brake handle that you can push that releases the handle from the gear and allows you to pull it nearly vertical, I believe it's on the PS of the handle, just inside the slot; I don't know where exactly, I normally just push down on thing with a large flat headm and when something moves, the handle comes right up... then the console comes out easy as pie. I can have mine out in about 5 minutes if that; and that's only due to all the extra wiring I have in mine for accessories.

 

When I did my B&M Ripper shifter - I had a helluva time getting it out and in.

Nice to know that there would have been a much simpler way.

 

That's exactly the info I was looking for. Just looked in the car and you were right, the tab is on the passenger side.

 

Yeah, it's soothing. I was having a crappy day, but now I'm sitting here smiling and thinking about all of the stuff I'm gonna get done on the car tomorrow.
I just hope it doesn't rain.

 

That's the thing I was trying to remember, haha. I knew there was something in there that I popped and it came right off and then allowed you to get it right up and out of the way, I actually removed the entire leather handle part and then put it all the way straight up.

 

i dunno what year your car is but if its like mine which is a 96 once u unbolt everything and have the e brake up start to lift the back and turn the front part toward the side like to the drivers side, this allows u to lift the rear up ove the e barke and allow the front to not hit