Hey guys before I start my little project I figure I would check in... I need to take out my center console area. I am removing the Ash tray in the center console and want to flush mount a bass knob and remote smart button for escort 8500 as well as a switch for my Avic N1 controlling the ground my break wire is suppose to see...

How do I remove the Ashtray and get behind there... the whole console I think comes off?

Im taking the lazy mans way of asking first before I go searching for screws/clips/etc.

 

Also go to sound domain and vote for my ML for show off of the week

 

How did they ball joint/torsion bar thing work out? Did you ever get the noise to diappear?

Anyway, the center console. I responded to a similar post a couple of weeks ago and all you have to do is search for center console. Since you have your butt busy studying for whatever tests/exams you have, here we go: On my MY02, here's what I did. I don't see why it'd be much different for yours:

1) remove the gear shift trim - there's a tool to do this so the wood doesn't get damaged, but all I did was straddle the trim with a thumb and first finger, squeeze hard while pulling upwards and it popped out. Next undo whatever screws you have to undo there - there may be some torx screws there, and I don't recall if they were male or female. You may just want to get yourself a set of torx drives - you probably do anyway.
2) next you need to take out the center console storage box - Open the center console cover and take out the two pressed in snap fasteners. I believe there's a screw at the aft end of the storage compartment which has to be taken out. Once that's done (BTW, this was the most difficult part - locating that last screw!!!) you're there. Pull the console out - if there's resistance (there could be since you have a MY00), locate resistance location and take out any screws there.
3) Be careful not to short the rear passenger compartment blower if yours has rear climate control. My advice, disconnect the -ve battery terminal before taking the console out (before you do this though, make sure you have your radio code available because you'll have to reset some things when you reconnect the battery). I may have missed a few details, but that's a start. Maybe Saturnstyl can jump in and help more.