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MG MGF Technical - ACCESS TO HANDBRAKE SWITCH

Help please!

The model is N reg 1.8. The handbrake ON switch is damaged beyond repair. Without a clear access I can't replace it with the spare part.
I have searched the BBS archive without any positive guidance of how to remove the "long" section of the central cover.
I have found some helpful pix (Mike SATUR?) relating to an alternative gear shift, but not the associated text to clarify the procedure.
Is it possible to remove the rear section without dismantling the trim supporting the clock/oil temp gauge/hazard switch, radio, ventilation controls and the cubbly tray?
Any advice is welcomed.

Thanks

Paul Liverton.



PA LIVERTON

Paul,

Working on it - the proceedure is quite involved.

Watch this space...

SF
Scarlet Fever

SF will come back with more detailed answer Paul, but to remove the central 'transmission' tunnel trim will involve removing the centre console in the middle of the dash, plus the T-bar trim behind the seats and the cubby boxes. Quite a lot to remove, but I don't think that the job is too tricky - just plenty to do.
Rob Bell

OK, sorry for the delay.

To remove the transmission tunnel you first need to remove the fascia, the T-Bar and the drop down bin, i shall deal with these in stages.

* Fascia *

The fascia is simply clipped into position, but there are variances between the Mark 1 design and the Mark 2. I shall detail the Mark 1 removal with notes in [square brackets] to add any Mark 2 specific items.

Remove the radio head unit

Remove the gear knob this will either unscrew or require a grub screw to be undone depending on which gear knob you have.

>> http://www.sfforever.co.uk/pictures/mainpage_29/id757.jpg <<

[Carefully unclip the aluminium gear lever ring and slide the ring + gaiter off of the gear lever]. Unclip the front of the fascia, by carefully prising it up, out of the transmission tunnel be careful here as it is easy to mark the tunnel.

>> http://www.sfforever.co.uk/pictures/mainpage_29/id758.jpg <<

The fascia is held in position with 5 [3] trim clips, they are in pairs next to the switches [not on the Mark 2], next to the head unit and a single one at the top above the hazard warning light switch. Carefully pull the fascia out of the dash, sliding it up over the gear lever (may want to select 4th to give more room).

>> http://www.sfforever.co.uk/pictures/mainpage_29/id755.jpg <<
>> http://www.sfforever.co.uk/pictures/mainpage_29/id756.jpg <<

Reach behind the fascia and unclip all the multiplugs to the switchgear remove fascia.

>> http://www.sfforever.co.uk/pictures/mainpage_29/id760.jpg <<

* T-Bar *

Remove your windstop (if you have one).

Slide the seats forward

Using a philips head screwdriver, undo and remove the three press studs [one press stud and 2 posts] across the back of the T-Bar.

>> http://www.sfforever.co.uk/pictures/mainpage_29/id1080.jpg <<

The T-Bar is held on with 6 trim clips, in 3 pairs. A pair each end (vertically) and a horizontal pair in the middle. Firmly grasp the T-Bar at the side and tug it towards the front of the car, do the same for the other side and also for the middle the T-Bar is now loose, but still has the seatbelts threaded through it dont worry about this, simply extend the belts and hook the T-Bar over the headrests of the seats.

>> http://www.sfforever.co.uk/pictures/mainpage_29/id1082.jpg <<
>> http://www.sfforever.co.uk/pictures/mainpage_29/id1083.jpg <<

* Drop down bin *

Open the drop down bin, remove the two screws that secure the lid hinge

>> http://www.sfforever.co.uk/pictures/mainpage_29/id740.jpg <<

Now close the lid again, and open the cubby box lid. Unclip the bin and withdraw upwards to reveal the next two screws remove these too and now lift both lids off as one.

>> http://www.sfforever.co.uk/pictures/mainpage_29/id741.jpg <<
>> http://www.sfforever.co.uk/pictures/mainpage_29/id738.jpg <<
>> http://www.sfforever.co.uk/pictures/mainpage_29/id739.jpg <<
>> http://www.sfforever.co.uk/pictures/mainpage_29/id737.jpg <<

Now unclip the multiplug to the volumetric sensor [not on 1.6 MGF or TF 115]

>> http://www.sfforever.co.uk/pictures/mainpage_29/id1085.jpg <<

Now remove the two retaining screws to the top of the rear console

>> http://www.sfforever.co.uk/pictures/mainpage_29/id1084.jpg <<

You can now lift out the rear console

>> http://www.sfforever.co.uk/pictures/mainpage_29/id1086.jpg <<

* Transmission tunnel *

Unclip the handbrake gaiter, and slide the handbrake handle and gaiter off of the handbrake shaft.

>> http://www.sfforever.co.uk/pictures/mainpage_29/id793.jpg <<
>> http://www.sfforever.co.uk/pictures/mainpage_29/id794.jpg <<

Pull the cigar lighter out of the transmission tunnel and unclip the multiplug.

>> http://www.sfforever.co.uk/pictures/mainpage_29/id695.jpg <<

Now remove the triangular footwell panels (a pair of screws each)

>> http://www.sfforever.co.uk/pictures/mainpage_29/id1089.jpg <<
>> http://www.sfforever.co.uk/pictures/mainpage_29/id1088.jpg <<

Undo the retaining screw for the rear of the transmission tunnel behind the seat, repeat for the other side of the car.

>> http://www.sfforever.co.uk/pictures/mainpage_29/id1096.jpg <<

Now go to the front of the car and undo the pair of screws where the footwell panels were, repeat for the other side.

>> http://www.sfforever.co.uk/pictures/mainpage_29/id1094.jpg <<
>> http://www.sfforever.co.uk/pictures/mainpage_29/id1093.jpg <<

Thread the wiring loom for the volumetric sensor [and T-Bar speakers] through the opening in the end of the transmission tunnel

>> http://www.sfforever.co.uk/pictures/mainpage_29/id1090.jpg <<

The transmission tunnel is now ready to be removed, jiggle it out slowly, adjusting the handbrake and gear levers as necessary to allow clearance.

>> http://www.sfforever.co.uk/pictures/mainpage_29/id1092.jpg <<
>> http://www.sfforever.co.uk/pictures/mainpage_29/id1092.jpg <<

Job done.

Budget around 5 hours to remove and refit.

SF

Scarlet Fever

Many thanks to Rob Bell and Scarlet Fever for the comprehensive description and photos of the dismantling procedure to access the handbrake "ON" switch.

I will progress this work when the weather improves.

If it wasn't essential to "test" panel lights using the handbrake, I suspect I would live with the problem.

Again, many thanks for ypur time and trouble.

Regards

Paul Liverton
PA LIVERTON

Your welcome, good luck.

:-)

SF
Scarlet Fever

Oh, and i've just spotted an error in my posting above.

The last two photos are actually the same image, the very last link should be:

>> http://www.sfforever.co.uk/pictures/mainpage_29/id1095.jpg <<

Doesn't show much other than the finished job (transmission tunnel removed), but i thought i should post the right image, for completeness.

SF
Scarlet Fever

This thread was discussed between 11/04/2005 and 14/04/2005

MG MGF Technical index

This thread is from the archive. The Live MG MGF Technical BBS is active now.