Hello all,
I read the info provided here about the cup holder replacement...it looked great as an option to the ever-erupting device that I found cumbersome and useless. I ordered one for my 2004 coupe and after paying a price I felt slightly extraordinary for a molded plastic piece, I removed the top of the cupholder and spring assembly and then found the bin did not fit completely into the opening due to lack of depth and contour. I talked to the body shop manager at the dealership and , being a nice guy, worked on it a bit and decided that the entire housing for the cup mechanism needs to be removed in order to install it...ie removing the console apparently.
I am not too excited about having this done, as I have always felt anything disassembled never goes back exactly and often causes other "problems, such as squeaks , etc.

Now after re-reading the posts about replacement...I am wondering if the 2005 model is different in some way so that the storage slot is altered for an easier installation? It would seem odd to design a solution that is so difficult to install.
I have had some of the typical problems listed in some posts, squeaky rear suspension,
radio screen glare, but still like my little car and find it fun to drive.
Anyone have any suggestions on the installation of the storage slot?

Best to all,
TJG

 

I have an '05 and replaced the cup-holder with the storage bin myself. The only way to do it is to remove the console.

 

Thanks for the info...I appreciate your input. By the way, when I was at the dealership picking up the part, the parts manager with whom I become acquainted, told me that apparently the Crossfire is being discontinued in the US. When asked about parts, he replied that usually they will have access to anything for ten years.


‘04 Coupe Graphite / Vin # 1071
Rotex pads/Brembo rotors
Sony CDX-F7005X Disc Player
Special “hole in console/no cupholder feature”

 

Talk to the Cadillac Allante owners when most parts were no longer available at about 7 or 8 years.

 

Hi, new owner, just catching up on threads of interest.
What exactly is the cup holder replacement?
Thanks for any info.

 

Hello! And welcome to the forum. Here is a picture of one installed, it is a small storage bin

 

Or you can paint it. Check my gallery.

 

To all: You can find the same bin on Ebay for one third the price of the Stealership ! When available !

Just my Dos Centavos !

 

I bought the same replacement piece and am equally disappointed at the difficult manner in which it is installed. It's still sitting in the trunk. I have read many of the posts regarding how to do this, but I wish they were a little more detailed. When I sit in my car about to follow the instruction I have seen so far, it looks like I am going to tear it up. Maybe I'm just paranoid, but does anyone have any instructions that are for idiots? lol. Seriously, it would help.

 

Found this thread by "danimalb". I followed the directions and didn't have too much trouble except it took about an hour. I kept the cupholder, threw away the spring and put it all back together,(always squeeze the top of the lid to close it). The amount of engineering that went into this cupholder design is amazing. Too bad it breaks so easily and really doesn't hold cups, more like a can holder than a cup holder.

Originally Posted by PJA
Please post instructions for removal/replacement.

Thanks.

Pete
Remove trim plates around shift lever by pulling up and back. Remove the rubber cover from the emergency brake handle (this is the hardest part...it takes a lot of pulling). There are two screws at the front of the console and two nuts at the back (inside the storage compartment at the rear...pull carpet forward about two inches) that must be removed. Lift the console up from the front and slide forward. Disconnect any electrical connections and completely remove the console. Lay the console upside down (on a towel) and remove 4 torx screws holding the cup holder in place. Reverse the removal process to reinstall the console.

The storage cup snaps into place from the top of the console and can be done before or after reinstalling it.

Hope that was somewhat clear...if not, let me know. You can email me at: danimalb@iwon.com.

 

I have been putting this off forever because I still cannot figure out how to get the console out. In the instructions above it says to remove the trim plates around the shift lever by pulling up and back. I can't seem to figure out how to do that without tearing up the trim. Mine is an automatic, does that make a difference on the instructions?

 

I replaced my cupholder with the storage bin WITHOUT romoving the console. A slight twist to break off the old cupholder (nobody will miss it) and a very large screwdriver to break the sidewalls of the cupholder. The new sleeve just fell in, no problem.

 

That's actually a good idea. I have no intention of ever re-installing the cupholder, so this should work.