348 console removal

I have a 91 348tb. Once you remove the shifter cover and ash tray, all you do is pull down on the main console piece and it will slide down and then you pull out slowly. The shifter cover is what holds the main console in place. You will have to disconnect a few plugs from the back and then the piece can be removed with the gauges and a/c control unit attached. This would be a good time to clean those connectors with contact cleaner and then coat with Stabilant 22. Especially the plug which goes into the a/c control unit.

 

With the lower part out...it should just slide down a tad (the top is tucked under the radio holder part) and then come out...Its not connected to anything.

 

While I had mine out, I installed my hidden V1 and a bluetooth handsfree kit and tucked it underneath there...you can also disconnect the seatbelt lights if your seatbelt motors aren't working.

 

Just to be perfectly sure of not snapping off the plastic tabs retaining the console centre section, just ease the sidewalls gently apart 1 or 2 mm as you are removing the console panel.

Also, the ashtray side flanges are very fragile and I've seen several cars now (including mine) where these are broken. It is because the securing bracket on the centre tunnel is too low and, when you tighten down the ashtray, it snaps the thin flanges. Solution is to stick some washers onto the ashtray underside to act as spacers.

The gearknob will unscrew with some resistance, but the proper way is to release the locknut on the underside of the gearknob.

I was going to get the rubber coating off my console pieces or buy some carbon fibre stuff (but I'm not a fan of the carbon fibre look!). Then I found out how cheap (relatively speaking) the original parts are and have now ordered some replacements. The gear lever trim section is about €120 ~ $90. It's currently unavailable but apparently shoud return to stock in some weeks. The ashtray complete with lid and inserts was even cheaper!

Drew

 

I also broke the ashtray when also putting everything back together I tried to superrglue and ended up just ordering a new ashtray but it was $160.00 :O Maybe superglue and washers is the cheaper alternative.

 

Also, the areas holding the oil temp and gas guage are very fragile too...the plastic is real thin between them...be careful that they dont twist with the weight of the guage or it will crack as well.

 

In case you need pictures, this thread has some.

http://ferrarichat.com/forum/showthread.php?t=19629&highlight=348+climate+control

 

Never used it but Easy Off seems to be the stuff to use per Fchat...It was Darron's idea and it seems to have caught on like wildfire...

 

I have no idea if this will work, but I read in another thread that Go-Jo hand cleaner is good for cleaning sticky stuff on plastic. Again I have no idea if it will work with the stuff on the pannel, but it could be worth a shot just to see. If it doesn't, well then at least your hands will be clean.

 

I've used wheel claener on the coating of mine, you can spary it on, leave a minute or so and it comes off, we ried allsorts of stuufftill we found the right one

 

Thanks for the suggestion to try wheel/hand/oven cleaners!

I tried heavy duty paint remover (could easily strip your fenders)... did NOTHING to the Ferrari cinemuck!

 

Easy Off is crazy stuff, it even removes anodize from aluminum !!!