Center Console Disassembly and Clean Up
 

So you just got your quad shot latte and you've put it safely in the center console cup holder. As you pull away, some blind fool comes out of nowhere and you hit the brakes. Hard. Latte is now covering the console and threatening to soak into something really expensive and delicate. Joy.

There's only so much you can do from the top. To really get this clean, you need to remove the center console and give everything a nice soapy bath with a soft sponge (don't want to scratch the carbon fibre now...)

Here's how to do this, with pics:

First, you'll need to remove the side panels and the shift knob. Start at the thin pointed end of the side panel and gently lift just enough so you can get a grip under the edge, then pull backward toward the rear of the car. They will snap out. Unscrew the shift knob (this is the easiest part of the whole job!)
https://www.clublexus.com/gallery/da...an_Up_001r.jpg

You should now see this:

https://www.clublexus.com/gallery/da...an_Up_002r.jpg

Gently lift the front edge of the console. Once it raises, slide your fingers underneath the sides to lift the rear portion of the console.

https://www.clublexus.com/gallery/da...an_Up_003r.jpg

When you raise up the console from the rear (don't try to lift from the front!), you'll see two electrical connectors holding the console. Remove them and the console will be completely free of the car.

https://www.clublexus.com/gallery/da...an_Up_004r.jpg

Flip the console over on a soft surface (to avoid scratching our expensive carbon fibre) and remove the four screws holding the cup holder.

https://www.clublexus.com/gallery/da...an_Up_006r.jpg

Now we can see the coffee encrusted cup holder alone

https://www.clublexus.com/gallery/da...an_Up_007r.jpg

Side panels cover the mechanism you'll need to access

https://www.clublexus.com/gallery/da...an_Up_008r.jpg

https://www.clublexus.com/gallery/da...an_Up_009r.jpg

Two tabs hold the top of the side panel

https://www.clublexus.com/gallery/da...an_Up_010r.jpg

With the tab pushed up, the panel releases top front

https://www.clublexus.com/gallery/da...an_Up_011r.jpg

And top rear

https://www.clublexus.com/gallery/da...an_Up_014r.jpg

And the panel comes off of the big tab in the back. You'll need to do this on both sides...

https://www.clublexus.com/gallery/da...an_Up_015r.jpg

See all the nasty old coffee???

https://www.clublexus.com/gallery/da...an_Up_016r.jpg

Other side image with more coffee! Note the pivot point for the end of the arm - the tab at the bottom is the retainer, so you'll want to push this gently toward the center of the pivot while lifting the arm off the pivot shaft (both sides need this)

https://www.clublexus.com/gallery/da...an_Up_017r.jpg

Now open the top door fully, then rotate the small end of the arm to align the tabs and remove the arm from the door.

https://www.clublexus.com/gallery/da...an_Up_019r.jpg

https://www.clublexus.com/gallery/da...an_Up_020r.jpg

Remove the metal tab from the side of the assembly

https://www.clublexus.com/gallery/da...an_Up_024r.jpg

Then remove this little fellow by aligning the tabs - it will be pretty obvious looking at the parts

https://www.clublexus.com/gallery/da...an_Up_025r.jpg

Finally, lift the top door off the base

https://www.clublexus.com/gallery/da...an_Up_023r.jpg

You now have a collection of parts for the cup holder assembly

https://www.clublexus.com/gallery/da...an_Up_021r.jpg

Now it's time to get busy with an old toothbrush and a sponge. Clean everything to your satisfaction. Assembly is the inverse of our disassembly with one key important thing to address - the gear teeth on the door must align with the top of the rack when you snap on the arm. Like this on both sides.

https://www.clublexus.com/gallery/da...an_Up_028r.jpg

It is possible to get the gears and racks off and the door won't want to open or close. Get it right and it's buttery smooth for open and close. Look at the pictures to see how the springs are set up. One side pushes open, the other pushes closed. They're not too hard to get set up as long as you have the gear and rack engagement correctly aligned.

If you still have questions, post them here.

Amazing! Big thumbs up for the nice writeup :thumbup:

Excellent write-up!

Great write-up.. That's exactly what needed.. This Forum ROCKS!!

Great write up!

Thanks for the write-up!! This will help someone down the road.

Nice Write up.... (as usual)

Slap in "N" next time and the console will lift out easier.. ;)

Joe Z

True enough, but that would require forethought. Not one of my strong points.

LoL.... It also goes in easier... :p


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Great writeup, been needing to do this since I had the same thing happen only with a smoothie :(

The Starbucks "Trenta" cups should be an interesting fit, once they arrrive... :p

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Man I didn't know that little cup holder has that many mechanisms.

Damn Lance, you sure are thorough. I remember the detailed posts you had back in the day trying to chase down your Supra ECU gremlins!

You've got PM.

Westley

nice write-up!

but i'm still only going to drink water in the F.

My water is in the door in bicycle water bottles. They are a perfect fit!

I'm a Starbucks junkie. 4 shot grande latte every morning.