2003 Vibe- DIY Front Console/Compartment Repair

[Limbotext]

I've got a 2003 Vibe with a broken "Front Console Compartment" - #2 on the attached diagram.
The latch doesn't work anymore and when I disassembled it, I found that the spring and the catch were both broken.

So, I bought a new one, but GM Parts Direct is telling me that I also have to pair up the new compartment with #1 (Front Console Base).
I got the new compartment and, sure enough, the new compartment doesn't latch with the old base. So I'm planning on buying the base now.

Here's my question:
What is the best way to remove the old base and install the new one? I know these interior pieces can be temperamental if you don't pry them at the right points, etc. I don't want to do more damage to the interior, but I don't even know where to start figuring out how to remove the panel.

Has anyone removed their front console base before? What's the trick?

[joatmon]

It's been a long time since I took that part off (I may even have a spare in my garage somewhere)

There were a couple of threads about taking it off

viewtopic.php?t=4692" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
viewtopic.php?t=4706" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

in those threads, you'll see long lost genviber ragingfish, who posted a number of most excellent how-to's here, but unfortunately, he tended to use an external image host. Over the years since he moved on, the links to his pictures broke, so the threads are a lot less useful, but maybe you can figure it out from the text that's remaining.

and welcome to genvibe!

[Limbotext]

It's been a long time since I took that part off (I may even have a spare in my garage somewhere)

There were a couple of threads about taking it off

viewtopic.php?t=4692
viewtopic.php?t=4706

Thanks joatmon. I'll look through the threads you linked above. It's going to be a bit tough to do without the photos that ragingfish was referring to. But this at least gives me a strong starting point.

[sideshowalan]

This is a how-to on installing a short shifter but it also includes a good teardown of the front lower console.

http://www.twmperformance.com/manuals/m ... manual.pdf