I've just received a set of carbon fiber downtubes for my GP and would like to install them. After removing the side screws in the original downtubes and loosening the lower edge of the dash, I figure the tubes should pull right out (that's how it worked in my '02 MCS). But oh no, they are loose and move up and down in the bottom slot, but absolutely will not come out even with brute force. Am I missing a step or something? I thought this should be easy... Ideas?

 

did you loosen up the center console? Once you loosen the center console, it will allow you to lift it up a bit to gain access to the foam supports that are inserted into the bottom of each tube. Thats the point that my tubes finally free up enough allow me to pull back on the upper portion and pull them out.

I have CF tubes that should be here in a week or so. Mind my asking where you got them?

 

The later down tubes(after 7/04? or 3-piece dash?) are "mushroomed" at the base. They do not just pull out like the early ones. You will have to undo/remove the console and pull them out from the bottom.

 

Partsman is right, just put in a set of leather downtubes in my "06. You don't have to remove the center console completely, just so you can pull it back enough and slide the tubes out from the bottom. Really not but about four screws and pop loose the shift boot and mirror adjust panel.

 

yeah thats what i had to do. Remove them from the bottom. Be careful you done knock the blue screw holse out of the side of the radio... its the pieces that holds the screw from the downtube. they can be knocked into the dash... its a pain in the butt to if you do!
-Malcon

 

Ahh, I'm getting the idea now. I did see two screws in the console in the coin trays. Haven't found the other two screws yet.

By the way, I got the CF downtubes from newministuff.com. Even with the exchange rate from the UK, they are much cheaper than I've found from US suppliers. Mine cost about $270 USD, took just under 2 weeks for delivery.

 

Like minimarks said, you also have to pull up the shift boot and the switch panel that holds the mirror adjustment *****. I don't think there are any screws to be removed under the shift boot, but there's one or two under the switch panel.

 

OK, mission accomplished! Thanks for all your help. I had to remove the plastic piece that holds the small tray forward of the center console in order to pull the console trim up. Turns out I probably didn't actually need to pull of the gear shifter ring or the mirror adjustment piece, but I did it anyway. The stock downtube was mushroomed at the bottom as stated before (see picture). The carbon fiber downtubes did not need to be installed from the bottom, but drop in like on the pre-facelift models (hmmm, maybe I got some old parts...). This of course made the installation of the new downtubes easy. Only problem is the CF downtubes don't quite fit perfectly at the bottom (see detail picture). Not going to worry about it though.

 

friken HOTTT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

Looks great! - I have the same exact gap at the bottom of my carbon fiber downtubes, but in 2-1/2 years, no one else has ever noticed.

And you didn't get old parts - the JCW carbon fiber downtubes were never updated with the flared ends like the stock '06 downtubes have.

 

Made that way so you don't have to relieve the openings in the console like I had to with the leather. With the carbon fiber they are a slightly larger diameter too. Those CF tubes do look great!!

 

thats awesome. Nice job!
i cant wait to get my steering wheel inserts...

 

Looks great... I have just started with the Carbon Fiber Dash stuff...



I did all of the dash rings too...

~MD~

 

How does the screw fit into the radio etc? Is there a part there that can be replaced? Because when I went to put my cupholder in, I noticed the screws are stripped in the hole, and the down tube isnt quite secure. I am wondering if there is a part that can be replaced there, and what that part number might be.

 

 

ok, im hoping someone can help.. because i bought the suede to sew union jack panels for my down tubes, whats holding me back from this project is.. yep you guessed it.. removing the downtubes.. i can clearly see the one screw holding it in place.. but where and what.. else am i looking for.. reading the above posts gave me angst.. about loosening the center console? oh god what did i get myself into.

 

^ Don't know if it matters, but on my '03 MCS, there are (2) screws on each side. I had to open the glovebox to get to the one on that side. On the other side, you have to remove the panel directly under the steering wheel which just pulls down; use some force.

Hope that helps some.

 

On an '06, you'll definitely have to loosen the center console to get the tubes completely out, because the bottoms of the tube have a flare on them that prevents you from just being able to pull the tubes out from the top.

Remove the two screws on each downtube, and loosen the center console by removing the screws at the bottom of the two cupholders and under the mirror-adjustment switch panel. After that, you can press down on the downtubes to get the top ends out from under the lower lip of the dash, then raise up the center console enough to pull the tubes down through the console.

 

Do you just yank down on the panel on the 06 MCS as well? I can't find latches or anything to remove the panel below the steering wheel

 

Yep - get both hands in the gap between the panel and the steering wheel if you can, and give it a firm yank downward.

 

Here's a link to a DIY on replacing a stereo. The first steps require the removal of the downtubes with pictures. It works really well. Just take your time. You don't want to scratch your dash.

http://www.newministuff.com/new/inde...ion=13&diyid=6

When I had my car into the dealer for work, I did see them pop up the centre dash piece to get the downtubes out. This would be much easier than having to loosen the centre console each time but I haven't tried this method myself. I'm afraid of breaking a clip.

 

Yes - you can loosen the center dash piece to get the downtubes out of the way enough to remove/replace the stereo, but on the 2005 and later models, you can't actually remove the downtubes themselves this way. As detailed earlier in the thread, you must loosen the center console, since the downtubes have to come out from the bottom.