Ron Jensen

I need to remove the shift control box but there is a brace across the box for support. The brace is part of the whole center console and is in the way. Any advice? How do I remove the whole center console, if needed?

latemodel21

You should find that you only need to remove the cover, not the whole console.

here are the WIS instructions for removing the console cover (for 2003-04 R230) and the instructions for removing the shifter as well


relative to actually removing the whole console, I do see where the WIS says in step 7 to "Raise rear center console and remove electronic selector lever module control unit (N15/5)" It is likely that the front and rear set of cover screws (entering from sides) also pin the console down - which then would free the console up a bit once you remove the 2 screws (refereed to as "5" in the instructions) allowing you to lift it a bit in the rear to gain the required clearance to draw out the shifter. It has been 2 years or so since I have had the whole console out of my SL55, but it did not strike me as being more complex than that.

hope that helps,
Chris

JettaRed

iTrader: (1)

I drilled a hole through the cross-member above each hex bolt only large enough for the hex wrench to fit through. Then, using a long arm hex wrench, I was able to remove the bolts. I think the size is 5mm.