Removing Broken Glass From Under Cupholder Door

[mborgerd]

Short story:

Does anyone have any tips about how to get under the cupholder cover door on a 2008 es350?

Long story:

My window was smashed and glass went everywhere. The dealer replaced the windows and supposedly cleaned up the glass.

Then I went on a road trip. I could still hear chunks of glass rattling around inside the door and my wife cut her hand when she reached next to the seat. So I took it back to the dealer. They supposedly got it cleaned up -- again.

Now I just realized that the door above my cupholders won't close. There is so much glass underneath it, I can hear it crunching when I try to cover the cupholders. My emotions are a mixture of frustration with the dealer and resignation to the fact that no-one but me is going to spend the time needed to get in every crevice.

I'm willing to spend the time necessary to make sure it gets done right, but I need to know how to get down there to clean it.

[1990LS400]

Would disassembling the console and removing the cup holder help? This diagrams sort of shows how the console fits together: http://www.toyodiy.com/parts/p_U_2007_LEXU...ETGKA_5806.html

As in my 2000 LS400, it looks like the console trim is held in place by friction fittings and a few bolts or screws. The console frame itself is probably held down by a few bolts. It is probably the same for your car -- vehicles from TMC seem to be all screwed together the same way.

I diassembled and removed the center console in my LS 5-6 years ago. It wasn't particularly difficult but it did take couple of hours since I had never done it before. It helps a lot to have trim removal tools -- using plastic ones or plastic coated metal ones will prevent scratching the wood, leather and vinyl. If you don't have trim removal tools, you can probably get by using using a putty knife or flat blade screwdriver with its business end wrapped with electrical tape.

[mborgerd]

Would disassembling the console and removing the cup holder help? This diagrams sort of shows how the console fits together: http://www.toyodiy.com/parts/p_U_2007_LEXU...ETGKA_5806.html

That's just what I was looking for. Thanks a ton!

[mborgerd]

If you don't have trim removal tools, you can probably get by using using a putty knife or flat blade screwdriver with its business end wrapped with electrical tape.

This worked! -- um, sort of :)

Your answer gave me a better idea: I wrapped tape around a putty knife with the sticky side out. That gave me a thin instrument with just enough grip so I could grab onto the glass chunks and fish them out from the cupholder area.

Thanks a bunch!