Anyone any idea or details as to how to remove the centre console on 1991 MK1. (Annoying rattle around heater and radio area) (1/00)

Before you go digging make sure you have plenty of bits of tape, foam wrap, silicone spray, etc. I doubt you'll find what's rattling and you just need to make sure everything is strapped down and rattle proof as you put it all back together. Silicone spray is great for stopping plastic against plastic creaks but you'll usually want to spray onto a cloth and then wipe into position - direct spraying can make a mess.

First remove the centre armrest and storage box. This involves unscrewing the gearknob, removing five screws (two in storage box, one under ashtray and two at the front on the sides), and then lifting the front and sliding everything forwards off the petrol flap and boot release. You can either unplug the electric window cables or just put the whole lot on the passenger seat.

Then you need to pull the eyeball vents. I use a metal bar with a hook bent on the end. Oher use string, bent coathangers, or simply the power of prayer! Behind the vents are two screws the hold the top of the centre console and I think there are also two at the bottom. The console will move free but lots of wires prevent total removal unless you unplug everything, Remember to plug everything back in. Test every switch before replacing the eyeball vents! I forgot the hazard/light plug when I first did this job. (1/00)
One thing I would add is that when you yank the eyeball sockets out, the whole unit including surrounds comes out. I thought I'd knackered it when it happened, but a quick look confirmed that it was supposed to do this. I had thought from the instructions that the socket and surround would stay put and the vent itself would come out, literally like an eyeball out of it's socket. (1/00)

Not sure how well this will (or won't) work on the Mk2 but here's what I do on my Mk1. Having read in the past of using string threaded through the eyeball (vent!) or an old coathanger I took some artistic licence. (I found the string threading too difficult and thought the coathanger idea might shatter the plastic if it was too stubborn.) So I use a length of shielded single copper core mains cable. The (approx. 1mm) core makes it easy to bend to the right shape so that you can feed it in and back out. The plastic insulation on the cable hopefully gives some protection for the plastic of the vent.

My vents seem particularly stubborn so I find that the best approach for the two vents in the centre dash panel is with the top down, kneeling on the passenger seat (because I'm right handed) and giving a strong, firm tug. If you find your self in a heap on the ground behind the car you probably pulled a bit too hard. :-) (2/00)
Can somebody tell me how to remove the centre console on the Mk2? I know there are 2 screws in the centre compartment, 1 under the ashtray and two under the plastic covers at the dash end. What happens next??? (3/00)
There are spring clips the hold the front edge to the bottom part of the radio/heater console surround. Grap the front sides of the console each side of the gear lever, putting your fingers under the edges, then use your thumbs and press just below the foglight switch/cig lighter, just forward of the edge of the shifer surround. Should break free, but it is quite stiff. Don't be afraid to use force!! (3/00)
A tip for removing the eyeball vents I found recently - many people recommend threading string through to pull them out. I didn't have any string so I took a Nylon webbing luggage strap about 15mm wide, available in most camping shops and essential equipment for touring on Motorcycles, folded over double the end three inches and pushed and twisted it through so that the end could be pulled back - much better to get a grip on than string and far less likely to damage the vent I think. (7/01)