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View Full Version : having a helluva time installing Ralliart console...



Steiner
10-15-2005, 03:43 PM
I've been debating getting this piece for a while now but when I saw that Cal from Gruppe-S had installed it succesfully I went ahead and bought it, even though he said "minor" modifications will need to be made.

http://www.gruppe-s.com/Evo/evoint/rart_trim.jpg

Not cheap folks. It cost almost $200 for a piece of Ralliart JDM plastic. Nevertheless I really like how it looks and the old one was all scratched up so it's well worth it to me. Anyways I've been now trying to get this fucker installed properly for 3 days. IT DOES NOT FIT! Even after 3 or 4 total hours of dremmel work on the inside of the console to make it LHD compatable, something is still preventing the cover from sitting flush. I even took Tom's (from Gruppe-S) advice and put whiteout in a few places on the inside of the console that could potentially be rubbing and causing the poor fitment. Still, after putting on and taking the piece off, I don't see any places on the cover where the whiteout rubbed off.

I've come to the realization that I've hit a wall. I'm out of ideas and I think I need a fresh perspective from a fresh set of eyes. Even my father-in-law couldn't figure out WTF was rubbing and he's an engineer. Here are some pics...

Here you can see the 1/2"-3/4" gap on the passenger side.

http://home.comcast.net/~blackhandclan/passenger_view.jpg

And here's the same 1/2"-3/4" gap on the driver side.

http://home.comcast.net/~blackhandclan/driver_view.jpg

And here's the massacre underneath.

http://home.comcast.net/~blackhandclan/open_console.jpg

lqdchkn
10-15-2005, 04:16 PM
Are the contours on the driver and passenger sides of the bottom console the same? If they are I have no idea. If there not then you'd need the JDM bottom console also so the JDM top part would match.

Evo8andahalf
10-15-2005, 05:09 PM
when i first had my car i had gaps like that on both sides with the console but only because it wasnt not pushed into place all the way, i guess this isnt the case with yours..if anything just bring it to gruppe s

Evo442
10-15-2005, 06:37 PM
Damn, that sucks. I'd be pissed too.

Matz
10-15-2005, 07:07 PM
I installed my short shifter yesterday, and since the center console is so easy to remove, maybe you should remove the whole thing, and then try to put the plastic piece on. That way, you'll be able to see the interference points easier.

Steiner
10-15-2005, 07:53 PM
Are the contours on the driver and passenger sides of the bottom console the same? If they are I have no idea. If there not then you'd need the JDM bottom console also so the JDM top part would match.
In comparing the stock piece vs the Ralliart piece it looks like the driver-side back edges may be shaped a little different. Maybe the piece I got is the runt of the litter or something. I dunno. I think I'm just gonna return this thing to Gruppe-S. It's not like I didn't try to make it fit.

http://home.comcast.net/~blackhandclan/side_comparison.jpg


I installed my short shifter yesterday, and since the center console is so easy to remove, maybe you should remove the whole thing, and then try to put the plastic piece on. That way, you'll be able to see the interference points easier.
Are you talking about the white shifter assembly? I'm sure that's not the problem, and pretty much everything else has been dremmeled out. What all comes out when you remove the shifter assembly?

Matz
10-15-2005, 08:15 PM
I installed my short shifter yesterday, and since the center console is so easy to remove, maybe you should remove the whole thing, and then try to put the plastic piece on. That way, you'll be able to see the interference points easier.
Are you talking about the white shifter assembly? I'm sure that's not the problem, and pretty much everything else has been dremmeled out. What all comes out when you remove the shifter assembly?

I was just referring to the center console that [I assumed] the Ralliart piece snaps into. From the picture, there's a gap between the two pieces, so I thought it would be a good idea to put the two pieces together first, and then try to drop the whole assembly down over the shifter. However, since I haven't seen the pieces in person, it's hard to say if my idea is good, or completely stupid.

Steiner
10-15-2005, 08:19 PM
I was just referring to the center console that [I assumed] the Ralliart piece snaps into. From the picture, there's a gap between the two pieces, so I thought it would be a good idea to put the two pieces together first, and then try to drop the whole assembly down over the shifter. However, since I haven't seen the pieces in person, it's hard to say if my idea is good, or completely stupid.

Oh OK I see what you're saying now. In order to remove just the shifter section of the console would I also have to remove the entire thing...from the firewall to the armrest?

lqdchkn
10-15-2005, 08:28 PM
Hey, according to the Gruppe-S website there are two different part #'s for either 5 (69005)or 6 (69011) speed trannies. Maybe they just gave you the wrong one.

http://www.gruppe-s.com/Evo/evoint1.htm

Matz
10-15-2005, 08:34 PM
Oh OK I see what you're saying now. In order to remove just the shifter section of the console would I also have to remove the entire thing...from the firewall to the armrest?

To take off the rest of the housing (the black part below your Ralliart piece), you'll need to remove the armrest. Open the armrest and remove the 2 screws. Pull the back up enough that you can pop out and disconnect the intercooler spray switch. Once you remove the armrest, you'll see two screws that were below the front of the armrest. Remove them, as well as the one screw under the ashtray, which just pops out. Remove the plastic screw from the right driver's side kickpanel (I think that's what it's called), and pull the panel off. There's one more popper thing to remove. Once you take that out, you can lift out the entire center console. Now try to get the Ralliart piece to snap it. I hope it works!

Steiner
10-15-2005, 09:02 PM
Thanks for the info Matz!


Hey, according to the Gruppe-S website there are two different part #'s for either 5 (69005)or 6 (69011) speed trannies. Maybe they just gave you the wrong one.

http://www.gruppe-s.com/Evo/evoint1.htm

I just looked at the box. It's the right part number. I think I'll post this thread on EvoM and see if anybody else out there has installed this piece. Thanks for the help.

earlyapex
10-15-2005, 11:08 PM
Hey, according to the Gruppe-S website there are two different part #'s for either 5 (69005)or 6 (69011) speed trannies. Maybe they just gave you the wrong one.

http://www.gruppe-s.com/Evo/evoint1.htm

The 6speed doesnt have that big silver ring around the shifter hole. Well, at least mine doesn't.