Rover 600 Console removal.

(This is for an automatic but most of it is the same for a manual)

Start by raising the steering column to the top most position so that you have full access below. Once this has been done you can start by removing the lower facia panel on the drivers side. The picture below indicates where the 2 securing screws are located (along the bottom of the panel).

this is the right side fixing screw.

this is the left side fixing screw.

The reason why you have to remove this panel and the glove box is because they are hiding more fixing screws for the front console which will be shown further down.

Once the 2 above screws have been removed there are a few spring clip clamps holding the panel in you will have to gently pry this panel off at all available gaps with a screwdriver.

the picture above gives you the general ideas as to where these spring clamps are and to place the screw driver to the line on the right to pry it off. On the first picture above you see the side join where the panel meets the dash at the top most part of the panel you will need to pry there as well. Do not pull the panel too hard as the illumination dimmer doesn't have too much give in the wire and this will need to be unplugged before totally removing this panel.

Next step is to repeat the process in the passenger side and remove the glove box. There are only 2 screws holding the glove box in place and they are where the hinges of the box meet the bodywork pictured below is a rough idea where those hinges are.

left side hinge screw.

right side hinge screw (note that the hinges do have little pins built into them so that when putting it back in place it has holes in the bodywork that the pins fit in before putting the screws back in so that everything is aligned properly.

when you have the glove box out you can better see where the fixing screws are for the centre console front part there are 2 on the left and 2 on the right. (there may only be one at the very top as shown above clearly however there maybe a 2nd below as shown not so clearly) the same goes for the driver side when the panel is removed.

Once these 2 sections have been exposed you can see the screws holding it in place. before you can carry on we need to remove the rear console section. to do this you will need to remove the window switch mechanism from the housing.

From the indication above you will see that the circle section is where you need to place a medium sized flat head screwdriver as there is a pretty strong spring clip holding it in place and the arrow is pointing in the direction to which the window switch has to be taken out. This is because the switch mechanism is a funny shape (as shown below)

you have to be very careful getting this out as too much force can snap the black surround lip that goes all round the top (i did this originally and bought a new switch, not a cheap cock up to make). with the window switch out you can unplug it and remove. Underneath this switch is a little metal plate with a screw attaching the front part of the rear console to the floor pan of the car (as shown below).

with this screw removed you need to remove the 2 screws holding the rear of the rear console one either side as shown below.

Once all screws are out you can split the rear console from the front by pulling it back to separate and then lift and push it forward over the handbrake and take it right out.

now you are ready to tackle the front part of the console. As state this is from a 623 GSi auto and manual boxes will differ as you will need to remove the gear knob to be able to slide the gaiter which is part of the front console over the gear stick to get it  out.

first start by undoing the screws at the top of the console (as described above) and then remove both side screws on the bottom.

push the seats right back and you can then get access to remove the 2 screws.

left side screw

right side screw

now we need to pry this off because it is held by 6 spring clip clamps.

the top 2 marks are where you need to place the flat head and gently pry apart and the bottom marks are where you need to grab and pull hard to free it from the clamps.

when you have to console lose and flapping about you have to unplug the cigar(ette) lighter and ashtray illumination plug which will be just a push fit molex plug split this and then remove the entire console out the way.

you should be seeing something similar to below

In the picture above you will see the 4 screws holding the radio mount in place you will need to remove these 4 screws and then lower the bracket a little to get access to the heater controls. Without undoing the 2 lower screws which hold the bracket in place as a security measure (to stop someone yanking it all out) you cant take this bracket all the way out.

The 4 marks above indicate the 4 heater control screws and this is what you need to unscrew in order to free the unit. there are cables behind that control the vents and will not allow you to have too much play with the control unit but you should have enough to clean all the outer edge and the dash unit to stop the squeaking. If however you want to take the unit completely out then its a major fiddle trying to disconnect the cables make sure that all the dials are pointing far left (feet for direction, cold for temp, off for fan) and then try and fiddle around the back to remove the cables. There is no easy way to explain how, its just a kind of twist and pull. Putting them back is a complete bitch as well so unless you absolutely have to take them out, don't.

Obviously this is just a guide and it was done from memory more so than actually taking all my stuff out again and documenting exactly but it does serve as a bloody good guide and compared to the haynes manuals lack of emphasis on certain areas it will definitely get you in the right direction.

Refitting is pretty much a reverse of removal and make sure that you know what screws go where as there are variety of different lengths.