79 Console --- Help please !!

[NU2VETTES]

I am going to start the interior of my 79 tomorrow (Labor day) and have 3 problems that I would like to fix concerning the center console. Before I decide to break anything, I am asking for any know how you might have on how to take the console apart and make these -- what should be --- quick repairs.

1- The radio is crooked and needs to be straightend. SHould just be a matter setting it in place correctly and tightenting a bolt/nut.

2- The vent/ac switch unit is loose from the console on one side(passenger side) --- hangs down out of the console -- also I found a new clear plastic plate that would seem to fit over the ac/vent switch unit when mounted properly into the console -- do I take the entire unit out and remount into the console? It looks like that would be the only way to do it.

3- I know this sounds odd but--- the little peice of plastic that moves when you move the shifter from park to drive is broken inside the shift indicator. It is just laying in the area marked R N 3 2 1. How in the wide world of sports does that thing get fixed?

Any help would be appreciated. Thanks

 

[Culprit]

I think I can get you started and I'm sure someone else will chime in later.

Step one - I recommend taking the seats out. Some folks claim they can get the center console apart without doing this, but I never could - at least not without damaging the carpet covered fiberboard panels on the left and right of the center console. Besides, it's only 4 bolts per seat and most cars could use a good vaccuming under there anyway. Slide the seats all the way forward to get at the rear two bolts on each seat - I always have to use a socket extension to reach down there.

Once the seats are out, the side panels are held on with 3 screws each (I think - going off memory here). The screw heads are hidden in the carpet pile.

With the side panels out of the way, you can see the bolts/screws holding the shift console plate and the parking brake housing in place. Be sure to get the two screws up front (one on each side) that hold the front of the shift console to the bottom edge of the gauge cluster - they are indeed two separate pieces.

I think the nut you need to tighten to hold the radio in place will be at the rear of the radio unit on the right hand (passenger) side. There is a metal bar with a slot that the bolt stud rides in. Assuming you have the factory radio here.

I'm going to guess that the A/C vent control switch is loose because the plastic well that the screw threads into is split, or broke off all together. If it's only split, you might be able to repair it with superglue and get it to hold. If it's broke off altogether, then you'll have to be creative.

That's all I've got from memory - good luck. What part of PA are you from? I'm from West Chester - but I only get home on leave once or twice a year.

Semper Fidelis,
Culprit

PS - take the knobs off the radio and you will see nuts to take off that hold the radio to the gauge cluster bezel.