Installing my AC: What holds together the AC console sides?

Luis A.

Luis A.

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Hi guys, I am in the thick of my AC install and it's pretty scary to see the interior like a bomb went off.

So I've already pulled out the non-AC center console assembly. I managed to fit the evaporator assembly and intermediate piece only by removing the air grilles from HVAC lever plate and also by removing 3 of the 4 bowden cables from the said plate and then swinging over the top and placed it out of the way on the top dash shelf.

I have AC consoles and the slightly different AC shifter surround. What I can't fully envision is how the sides of the AC center console will get secured to the center console, what holds them together since the brackets in the non-AC console that do that can't be fitted due to the evaporator assembly being where the brackets used to cross. What parts/brackets from the non-AC console sides get transferred over to the AC console sides?

Photos to come tomorrow but hopefully this makes sense...
 
I'll check

Luis, I may have an extra as I think they are the same as the early e24. There is a metal bracket that screws to the "hump", the screw also holds multiple ground wires. The bracket has wings that attach to the console sides, it's all a bit fuzzy but I think that's what you're looking for. Post some pictures and I'll hunt around for the part if it's the right thing.
 
Believe Peter is correct. The bit that goes across is about 2mm thick and 14 mm wide (from memory), with "wings" bent up at each end.
 
Thanks guys. If you are referring to this bracket:

50020002_z.jpg


I do have it. My question is about the sides (where the oval plastic intake grates are) of the center console. The non-AC ones are held together by two brackets in the middle and one in front of the shifter. The two middle brackets go away with the AC install since the evap/blower assembly is in the way, where the shelf used to be. I'm thinking the sides get screwed on the metal radio/vent /switch panel that gets added, but nothing behind the evap/blower box since the large particle board piece goes away. Am I close...?
 
i can post pic in a bit
im doing it now
 

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Alan, thanks for the photo.

Can you take a picture of where the bracket in the panel shown below connects to?

IMG-20150514-00719.jpg
 
I don't have that bracket. The side panels attach to the vent/heater facia via a machine screw on each side and to the center A/C panel in addition to the wooden block on the shift console and near the firewall with that small bracket.
 
I'll snap a pic of my bracket. Different from both I'd say, probably the same as Chris's. It's just a bar with a nut in the middle. It attaches just behind where the AC vent plate would be, with screws on the side of the console.
 
IMG-20150514-00718.jpg
Markos said:
I'll snap a pic of my bracket. Different from both I'd say, probably the same as Chris's. It's just a bar with a nut in the middle. It attaches just behind where the AC vent plate would be, with screws on the side of the console.
Click to expand...

Markos: The one show in this photo, under the radio?
 
Luis,

In that pic you can see the two speed clips the center panel for the side panel. Above the upper one would be the machine screw fitting on the bottom of the vent facia, when installed it is hidden under the plastic grilles. Those provide most of the support. The woodblock on the shift platform provides some more, big wood screw through the side panel L bracket into the wood. No other brackets I am aware of.

Chris
 
Markos,

Did that come from an A/C coupe? And my original side panels haven't a screw hole where it would be attached to that bracket so I am confused.
 
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HB Chris said:
Markos,

Did that come from an A/C coupe? And my original side panels haven't a screw hole where it would be attached to that bracket so I am confused.
Click to expand...

hmm...Well it is the same bracket as Luis and Alan's so I'd call it a factory bracket. It is from my CSI, which has AC. Not sure if the AC was added later or not but doubtfully since it is all factory.

We need one more person with AC to confirm. I don't trust the parts coupe from a fitment perspective.
 
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Chris, you can see it in the picture below. Not my panels but from the thread I referenced above. My panels do have the holes (but are nicer...;-))

IMG-20150514-00712.jpg
 
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