2005 Baja center console trim removal

[Chi_San]

I just embarked on a wonderful, fun, enjoyable journey of replacing my dash lights, when I ran into a slight problem: The center console trim, around the satnav and HVAC, cannot be removed due to two inaccessible bolts?

The bolts in question are directly above the cigarette lighter, and they appear to be behind the ashtray. I removed the bolt back in the dash, but the ashtray won't budge, it looks like there's two screws holding it in on the bottom.

So, how am I supposed to get those bolts out? I've 'finished' my project (apparently, I put a dead bulb in behind the trip meter, but IDC about that too much), but I would like to paint the trim eventually, which would require me removing it entirely first, but I can't seem to get it to come out.

Any tips for getting those bolts out? I got all of the plastic clips to pop loose, and I removed the little cubby/compartment below the cigarette lighter no problem, but the bottom of the trim is still being held in by something inaccessible.

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[thatgarrett]

The ash tray should come out, you might need to lift something to release it, and there are only two screws under there and everything pops off. I used to use a phone with the selfie camera on laying down in the cubby facing up to locate the screws and a small 1/4 drive ratchet with a Phillips head screwdriver head in it to undo it, was always a huge pain though

[Chi_San]

Originally Posted by thatgarrett

The ash tray should come out, you might need to lift something to release it, and there are only two screws under there and everything pops off. I used to use a phone with the selfie camera on laying down in the cubby facing up to locate the screws and a small 1/4 drive ratchet with a Phillips head screwdriver head in it to undo it, was always a huge pain though

So I gotta remove the two vertical screws under the ash tray retainer bracket? Oof.

[thatgarrett]

Yeah this was a big pain in my old Legacy with the same interior as your Baja, I couldn’t even get a stubby screwdriver in there

[Chi_San]

Originally Posted by thatgarrett

Yeah this was a big pain in my old Legacy with the same interior as your Baja, I couldn’t even get a stubby screwdriver in there

I've got a small right angle screwdriver I think I can use... I might also have a ratchet attachment for a screwdriver bit.

Hopefully this weekend I'll have my new bulbs so I can try this again... And about 5 weeks from now, I can paint it all.