Does anyone have a picture to show how the springs go on the rear ash tray on a 1968 Camaro console. I can get the lid to keep poping up but cannot get it to hold it down. I've tried a hundred different ways, I just need to know the hundred and first. :confused:

Thanks, Todd

Todd,

I just restored my 68 console but I didn't know the ashtray lid had a spring. It took me half an hour to figure out the console lid spring but it actually works. If you figure it out could you send or post a pic so I can see what it is supposed to look like? Thanks.
Steve

Mine wasn't working correctly so I studied the assembly manual.. If I remember right, I had to relocate the hole on the lid before it would work.. The picture is with the lid open and the spring is on the passengers side. Hope this helps...

5256

Isn't a 68 and 69 the same? I have no springs on either of my console ash trays. No problem staying up or down.

Went out again and checked after seeing Jason pic. Hole is there but no spring. Learn something every day. Still though have no problem up or down.

With the spring in place, the lid kinda snaps open and closed. When I bought the car, the lid would was held open a bit when closed and it bothered me.. Spent a few hours figuring it out but it works and looks great now. Never tried just taking it out..

My original 1969 Pace Car came from the factory with "two" springs, one on each side. The Z that I am currently restoring gave me fits trying to get it to snap in position, but I finally got it working good with just one spring. I checked my other Z that I restored several years ago and it only has one, so one is enough. The trick is to install it like the manual shows and then spread the spring open while it is in place. It will then snap into place when the lid is closed and keep it there.

I just picked up two consoles last week - both came out of 67's. One ash tray lid has no spriongs but the other has 2 springs (one on each side) just like the photo Jason (Zeb596) posted. Nice to know they work with only one spring - now I can fix the other one as well...

Cheers,
Gean
:beers:

Thanks guys, my assembly manual is suppose to be coming by the end of the month but of course I can't wait. I'm going to give it another try.

Thanks guys. My hinge on the ash tray has been broken for 25 years. One of he plastic hinge supports was broken. I finally repaired it and went to put the springs back in and had the same problem of 'how do they go in there' On the 69 at least the good side their were no holes in the plastic just a slot for the spring to fit in. After getting it all together it still does not seem to close as tight as would have expected. I is better than letting the ash tray door just sit on top and flop around. Thanks for your help.

This is a 67:
http://i274.photobucket.com/albums/jj265/Dale8346/Pb300032.jpg
This next picture shows the spring still attached to the door. It is in its original location. Sorry it is blurry.
But, it still shows its location.
http://i274.photobucket.com/albums/jj265/Dale8346/Pb300033.jpg

Man this is a good subject. I restored my console 2 years ago and never did figure out how to put the spring back on ('68 with 1 spring). So I just put a thin shim in to make sure the lid didn't rattle, since I never open the lid. But now you've reminded me, I need to get it right. I'd love to see something we could all understand. Thanks for the subject, now where's my Cam To-Do List, need to put this on the list....

If you put in both springs it sits about an inch open in mine. I used one and it's only slightly open. I think the springs are not made right. I just use the one and it keeps it from flopping when you drive over rough surfaces. I should just glue the damm thing shut. Who want to smoke in a beautiful classic anyway..

Only 1 spring, not 2.

As others have mentioned, the 68/69 console ash tray lid came with two springs - one for each side. Rick's has repops (and probably others do too) available, but they only make for one side. The spring for the other side should be a mirror image of the first one. That may be one reason it's so hard to figure out how they should go in.

Which side do they make?

As others have mentioned, the 68/69 console ash tray lid came with two springs - one for each side. Rick's has repops (and probably others do too) available, but they only make for one side. The spring for the other side should be a mirror image of the first one. That may be one reason it's so hard to figure out how they should go in.

OK, after taking a look at two unmolested consoles - one a 68 and the other a 69 - I have to admit my previous post was wrong. It looks like the springs are indeed the same for both sides, but they are installed differently. With the ash tray lid closed and looking towards the front of the car, the bend in the spring on the right side points up and the one on the left side points down. If you look at Jason's picture, the front of the console is to the left. When the lid closes (upper left moving towards lower right) the bend of the spring that is visible now rotates upward so that it is pointing up. At the same time, the loop on the left spring rotates down. I hope this explanation helps. It's really not as complicated as it sounds.

1967
I am going to try to explain it so that it is easy.
First of all it is very difficult (not impossible) if your 2 LARGE pieces of the console are not separated. My description is with them separated and the Large metal piece of the console upside down.
1) Install the 1 spring on the Drivers Side
2) Only ONE end of the spring will go in the tiny little hole of the hinge
3) Once that is in, slide the more U-shaped (other) end into the LARGE V shaped piece. This goes into the very BOTTOM of the V. Just push it into the bottom and the spring will lock in.
You are done.
If you have the rivet off the drivers side, it is even easier.

If this does not help, let me know. I have more pictures.

I am going to replace the ashtray lid this week in the '69. I found this topic when I searched, before making a new thread.

The lid itself works great.......springs in both sides still. The finish isn't the best, so we want to replace the lid. I was able to easily remove the passenger side from the pivot, but the drivers side will not slide off of its pivot. By looking at the pics someone posted in here......should I assume there is a speed washer on the other end of the pivot? If so....I'm afraid the whole center console will have to come out. :clonk:

Darren, see the responses to your other post.