DIY - Thinking about a Piano Black or Mahogany centre panel?
Discussion
For those of you thinking of replacing the stock centre panel with piano black or mahogany, I can provide step by step instructions. This really is a DIY project.
I also have a piano black and mahogany panels for sale at very reasonaqble prices (for 6 speed manual with satnav and ignition key).
I also have a piano black and mahogany panels for sale at very reasonaqble prices (for 6 speed manual with satnav and ignition key).
It has been a couple of months since I replaced the centre satnav panel in my V8V. I hope I remember all of the steps. Here goes....
Before doing anything, place masking tape on the leather that buts against the centre console panels. Tape all edges of the satnav door and centre panel. Tape off the radio panel. In other words tape everything!
1. Removing the centre console requires starting at the back of centre console at the parcel shelf.
2. Remove the carpeted parcel shelf.
3. Remove the alloy finisher that separates the carpeted shelf from the centre armrest that contains the cup/coin holder.
4. Firmly grasp the armrest and slide it back towards the parcel shelf. Do not lift up on the armrest as you do this.
5. Push down on the gearshift knob and rotate the knob clockwise (I hope I got that right, it might be counter-clockwise) at the same time as pushing down. The gearshift knob should disengage from the shift lever.
6.Remove the four screws that secure the gearshift knob panel. Remove the electrical connectors by pinching the retaining clips. Label all connectors.
7. It is time to remove the panel that surrounds the satnav. Gently push back on the satnav door with both hands (with ignition turned off). Disengage the two "ears" on the spring clips that secure the satnav panel to the back of the satnav screen. Some 2007 and earlier cars may have two plastic pins that secure the corners of the satnav panel that is closest to you. Gently pry the plastic pins outward with you fingers to release the satnav finisher panel from the satnav screen.
8. Let the satnav screen fall to it's rest position. Push down gently if necessary.
9. Push the satnav finisher towards the front of the car to provide room for your hands above the resting satnav screen.
10. Place your fingers from both hands under the bottom of the panel that surrounds the satnav door. Both of you hands should be under the panel just back of the "start" button.
11. Grasp the satnav panel surround firmly with both hands and pull upward with a lot of force. Keep in mind that there are four tension clips located in the corners of the satnav surround panel that retain the panel to the centre console chassis. It takes a lot of force to overcome the tension of these clips!
12. Do not rock the panel as you lift it. Pull upward with equal force from both hands. You are trying to release the two clips that are closest to you first.
13. Once the two closest clips have released, you can grasp the edge of the satnav surround closest to you and lift it upwards (evenly) to release the two rear clips. In other words, rock the panel upwards toward the windshield to release the two rear clips.
14. If you want to do an ipod integration you should remove the four screws that secure the HVAC panel. Disconnect all the electrical connections. Mark all connectors. You will have to pull the panel away from the centre console to reach the back of the panel and the electrical connectors.
15. Remove the screws that retain the radio control unit.
16. The screws that retain the CD deck can now be removed.
17. Be very careful disconnecting the fibre optic connectors. Handle the fibre cables with care and do not pinch them or bend them into too tight a bend. If you pinch the fibre cables, they are ruined.
Now you have access for your ipod integration.
Best of luck!
Before doing anything, place masking tape on the leather that buts against the centre console panels. Tape all edges of the satnav door and centre panel. Tape off the radio panel. In other words tape everything!
1. Removing the centre console requires starting at the back of centre console at the parcel shelf.
2. Remove the carpeted parcel shelf.
3. Remove the alloy finisher that separates the carpeted shelf from the centre armrest that contains the cup/coin holder.
4. Firmly grasp the armrest and slide it back towards the parcel shelf. Do not lift up on the armrest as you do this.
5. Push down on the gearshift knob and rotate the knob clockwise (I hope I got that right, it might be counter-clockwise) at the same time as pushing down. The gearshift knob should disengage from the shift lever.
6.Remove the four screws that secure the gearshift knob panel. Remove the electrical connectors by pinching the retaining clips. Label all connectors.
7. It is time to remove the panel that surrounds the satnav. Gently push back on the satnav door with both hands (with ignition turned off). Disengage the two "ears" on the spring clips that secure the satnav panel to the back of the satnav screen. Some 2007 and earlier cars may have two plastic pins that secure the corners of the satnav panel that is closest to you. Gently pry the plastic pins outward with you fingers to release the satnav finisher panel from the satnav screen.
8. Let the satnav screen fall to it's rest position. Push down gently if necessary.
9. Push the satnav finisher towards the front of the car to provide room for your hands above the resting satnav screen.
10. Place your fingers from both hands under the bottom of the panel that surrounds the satnav door. Both of you hands should be under the panel just back of the "start" button.
11. Grasp the satnav panel surround firmly with both hands and pull upward with a lot of force. Keep in mind that there are four tension clips located in the corners of the satnav surround panel that retain the panel to the centre console chassis. It takes a lot of force to overcome the tension of these clips!
12. Do not rock the panel as you lift it. Pull upward with equal force from both hands. You are trying to release the two clips that are closest to you first.
13. Once the two closest clips have released, you can grasp the edge of the satnav surround closest to you and lift it upwards (evenly) to release the two rear clips. In other words, rock the panel upwards toward the windshield to release the two rear clips.
14. If you want to do an ipod integration you should remove the four screws that secure the HVAC panel. Disconnect all the electrical connections. Mark all connectors. You will have to pull the panel away from the centre console to reach the back of the panel and the electrical connectors.
15. Remove the screws that retain the radio control unit.
16. The screws that retain the CD deck can now be removed.
17. Be very careful disconnecting the fibre optic connectors. Handle the fibre cables with care and do not pinch them or bend them into too tight a bend. If you pinch the fibre cables, they are ruined.
Now you have access for your ipod integration.
Best of luck!
SLacKer said:
DB9VolanteDriver said:
Could you explain the purpose of steps 1 thru 6 if this is about removing the fascia? I don't see the connection.
The top screws for the radio / satnav panel are hidden by the trim panel so you have to remove it to remove the actual fascia (unfortunately)Sorry for the confusion. The steps outlined how to remove everything to gain access for an ipod integration. I did the ipod integration at the same time I did the fascia change to a different finish. You are right, there are no screws securing the fascia. If all you want to do is remove the fascia, then ignore the instructions on removing the centre console.
Some thoughts on the YouTube video. The person in the video came within a mm of destroying the fascia and leather by using a plastic tool to pry the fascia loose. I'm speaking of when the tool slips as he is prying on the edge of the fascia. If this guy had been working on my car, I would have fired him on the spot.
Some thoughts on the YouTube video. The person in the video came within a mm of destroying the fascia and leather by using a plastic tool to pry the fascia loose. I'm speaking of when the tool slips as he is prying on the edge of the fascia. If this guy had been working on my car, I would have fired him on the spot.
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