Broken Console

DanMan_S · August 9, 2003

In my 98 Z71, I've got the split bench seats with the fold down console in the middle. Well, I seem to have broken the console as for the life of me, I can't get it open. One side of the push release on the front will move, the other seems to be stuck. Any one have any ideas how to open it up without using severe percussive therapy or some type of saw? I don't have a service manual or anything for the truck yet, so if there are any instructions in existence to fix it, I don't have access to them at the moment. Any help would be great, as all the junk in the truck is starting to pile up.

99-2door · August 10, 2003

One of my friends' trucks did that once. I took a thin screwdriver and found the release inside the handle. I had to pry pretty hard to get it to release. Once I got it open you can take the plastic off the bottom of the lid and fix the release button. His had jumped out of the hinges, so I was able to just pop it back in place and put everything back together. Still works great.

DanMan_S · August 10, 2003

Thx...I'll try that tomorrow. I was starting to pry around with a screwdriver, but I didn't want to break anything..I'll give it another go though.

sonjaab · August 10, 2003

DAN....That push button thing broke on my 01. I had to break it open with my 5 in 1 painters knife as the hook latch is behind the release lever/pushbutton so ya can't "jimmy" the mother open !

On mine behind the release lever/plastic thing is a small white plastic like a pencil about 1/4 inch long. That gets pushed by the release button to push back the hook that holds the lid closed.

Good thing I am under warranty! They said the latch, button, lid, and inside are 1 unit....like almost $400 BUCKS!

Me....... I played dumb at stealer.....DUH! It broke!

There is another discussion on this over to http://www.pickuptruck.com

good luck!.......geo

Wingnut · August 10, 2003

I had the same thing happen on the 92.

The right side of the latch quit working, and the left still works.

Just this catch quit, the left side still works:

And this is the result of prying it open.

I don't have any advice for you because, as you see....I just yanked the f*****r open.

Good luck.

DanMan_S · August 11, 2003

Lol, geez, I think this is gonna end up getting pretty ugly for my truck

Nick2000Gmc · August 30, 2003

THE ANSWER

That console has a little ball thingy in it so that when the console is down you can open it, but when it is flipped up for the 3rd passenger or sixth in my case it won't open ( Try it ) . Anyways the easiet way if the ball gets stuck in between cycles is to remove and see if you can shake it free. I would try maybe removing and beating your hand on the bottom of the case and see if you can free it up. I couldn't and didn't know about the ball when this happened too me. A friend is a interior and glass guy and he took it completely apart with no problems ( Said he never knew either.