F
Fire0nic3
Guest
I AM NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY DAMAGE DONE TO YOUR VEHICLE BY FOLLOWING THIS GUIDE! DO IT AT YOUR OWN RISK OR LIVE WITH THE NOISE! PLEASE DO NOT POST THIS GUIDE NO WHERE ELSE OR MODIFY IT. Email or PM me with any questions you may have 
Ok some of you have been experiencing some creaking noises near the center stack/console area. Well guess what your not alone. I've been having this sound ever since I bought my 2009 FX35 and it's been kind of annoying having this sound. I recommend that no one take it to the dealer for the specific issue. Want to know why? Cause it was at three different dealerships and none of them knew how to even fix this noise. When I took the console apart, I could tell they never tried cause they didn't know. Anyways I made this guide to show you guys how easy it is. I suck when it comes to doing anything myself, so when I say how easy this is, you got to believe me. I'm also very anal about scratches so I was EXTREMELY CAREFUL NOT TO SCRATCH SOMETHING LIKE THE DEALER WOULD DO.
1. When you get inside the car do not start it up. There are some things under the console that get very hot, so make sure the car has been sitting for a while before attempting this. Safety is always the key when starting a project
2. Start by taking off the shift knob first. You must do this, otherwise you won't be able to pull the center console up. To remove the first knob first pull the leather boot down. You don't need to pull down real hard. Taking it easy always works.
3. Now that you've pulled the shift boot down, it will expose a metal clip that helps keep the shift knob attached to the gear selector.
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4. What you need to do now is pull that metal clip out. I used my thumb and index finger to do it, but I found needle nose pliers to be easier especially if you have big fingers. Once the clip is out lay it someplace where you won't lose it. There will be some grease on it so make sure not to remove that or get it on your hands.
5. Now that the clip is out you'll need to pull up on the shift knob to remove it. Before pulling it up push the button on the back of the shifter, then pull it up. Doing this releases a lock allowing you to pull up.
6. Next open up the lid to the center console. You'll need to remove this piece that the arrow are pointing to in the picture.
7. To remove that piece you'll need to pull back on it from the top. There are two clips holding it in so make sure not to pull it hard. None of us want any broken clips here, so please be careful.
8. This is what it should look like when removed.
9. Now that the area is exposed it's time to remove the console. This whole process is very easy, but you still have to be careful. I'd assume this is the hardest part of this DIY, even though everything is fairly simple. Start by putting your fingers down in there in the back that we just exposed and pull up on it. But don't pull too hard cause when pulling up on the console releasing the clips, you must work from corner to corner otherwise you may crack the wood or break the clips. It will make a pop sound when you release the clips.
10. This is what it should look like popped up.
11. Now that you've pulled the back up, you need to work from corner to corner otherwise you will break something if not gentle. Just put your hands down in between the sides and pull slowly. After that do the side facing the passenger seat.
12. After all of that pull the entire console up slowly cause the gear selector wire is still attached to the back.
13. Now onto the reason why the console is making the noise in the first place. The creaking sound you guys are hearing is coming from the climate controlled seats/ AWD Snow switch unit rubbing up against the plastic brackets when the console is moved. What we need to do is use some felt in between the bracket and the switch unit.
14. To remove the switch unit, remove all the four screws in the picture. BE CAREFUL NOT TO DROP THE SCREWS DOWN INTO THE CONSOLE AND WAY INTO THE DARK ABBYSS. Put the screws somewhere where they won't roll around.
15. Now just pull the switch unit up and set it inside down in the console.
16. There arrows shown in the picture show what pieces the switch unit was rubbing up against causing the creaking noise.
17. What you need to do to stop the noise is use some felt from you local arts and crafts store. It's easy to cut and work with. Plus it won't were out due to friction like what tissue paper would or something else of that nature.
18. Use the felt you got and cut out the shape for the two brackets. Remember to poke out some holes for those two black prong things sticking up and cut out around that rectangle shaped hole cause this is where the clip pops into. The arrow in the picture shows what I'm talking about. Below also shows what it should look like after both brackets are completed with felt.
20. Now put the switch unit back on and tuck some felt in at the top cause I do believe the switch unit is also rubbing up against the plastic piece sticking out to the gear selector. The arrow in the picture shows what I mean.
21. Now that your FINALLY done, reassemble the console back together in the reverse order.
22. When you put back together, the console should look the same. If there is any gaps in the wood, that means you didn't push the clips back in properly.
23. Now go drive the car around and hit some bumps to confirm the sound it gone for good.
I know it took me to get it fixed, and not the dealer. But remember the old saying, "If you want something done right the first time, you got to do it yourself".
On a scale of 1-10 with 10 being difficult and 1 being extremely easy, I'd give this DIY a 3.
Ok some of you have been experiencing some creaking noises near the center stack/console area. Well guess what your not alone. I've been having this sound ever since I bought my 2009 FX35 and it's been kind of annoying having this sound. I recommend that no one take it to the dealer for the specific issue. Want to know why? Cause it was at three different dealerships and none of them knew how to even fix this noise. When I took the console apart, I could tell they never tried cause they didn't know. Anyways I made this guide to show you guys how easy it is. I suck when it comes to doing anything myself, so when I say how easy this is, you got to believe me
. I'm also very anal about scratches so I was EXTREMELY CAREFUL NOT TO SCRATCH SOMETHING LIKE THE DEALER WOULD DO.1. When you get inside the car do not start it up. There are some things under the console that get very hot, so make sure the car has been sitting for a while before attempting this. Safety is always the key when starting a project
2. Start by taking off the shift knob first. You must do this, otherwise you won't be able to pull the center console up. To remove the first knob first pull the leather boot down. You don't need to pull down real hard. Taking it easy always works.
3. Now that you've pulled the shift boot down, it will expose a metal clip that helps keep the shift knob attached to the gear selector.
4. What you need to do now is pull that metal clip out. I used my thumb and index finger to do it, but I found needle nose pliers to be easier especially if you have big fingers. Once the clip is out lay it someplace where you won't lose it. There will be some grease on it so make sure not to remove that or get it on your hands.
5. Now that the clip is out you'll need to pull up on the shift knob to remove it. Before pulling it up push the button on the back of the shifter, then pull it up. Doing this releases a lock allowing you to pull up.
6. Next open up the lid to the center console. You'll need to remove this piece that the arrow are pointing to in the picture.
7. To remove that piece you'll need to pull back on it from the top. There are two clips holding it in so make sure not to pull it hard. None of us want any broken clips here, so please be careful.
8. This is what it should look like when removed.
9. Now that the area is exposed it's time to remove the console. This whole process is very easy, but you still have to be careful. I'd assume this is the hardest part of this DIY, even though everything is fairly simple. Start by putting your fingers down in there in the back that we just exposed and pull up on it. But don't pull too hard cause when pulling up on the console releasing the clips, you must work from corner to corner otherwise you may crack the wood or break the clips. It will make a pop sound when you release the clips.
10. This is what it should look like popped up.
11. Now that you've pulled the back up, you need to work from corner to corner otherwise you will break something if not gentle. Just put your hands down in between the sides and pull slowly. After that do the side facing the passenger seat.
12. After all of that pull the entire console up slowly cause the gear selector wire is still attached to the back.
13. Now onto the reason why the console is making the noise in the first place. The creaking sound you guys are hearing is coming from the climate controlled seats/ AWD Snow switch unit rubbing up against the plastic brackets when the console is moved. What we need to do is use some felt in between the bracket and the switch unit.
14. To remove the switch unit, remove all the four screws in the picture. BE CAREFUL NOT TO DROP THE SCREWS DOWN INTO THE CONSOLE AND WAY INTO THE DARK ABBYSS. Put the screws somewhere where they won't roll around.
15. Now just pull the switch unit up and set it inside down in the console.
16. There arrows shown in the picture show what pieces the switch unit was rubbing up against causing the creaking noise.
17. What you need to do to stop the noise is use some felt from you local arts and crafts store. It's easy to cut and work with. Plus it won't were out due to friction like what tissue paper would or something else of that nature.
18. Use the felt you got and cut out the shape for the two brackets. Remember to poke out some holes for those two black prong things sticking up and cut out around that rectangle shaped hole cause this is where the clip pops into. The arrow in the picture shows what I'm talking about. Below also shows what it should look like after both brackets are completed with felt.
20. Now put the switch unit back on and tuck some felt in at the top cause I do believe the switch unit is also rubbing up against the plastic piece sticking out to the gear selector. The arrow in the picture shows what I mean.
21. Now that your FINALLY done, reassemble the console back together in the reverse order.
22. When you put back together, the console should look the same. If there is any gaps in the wood, that means you didn't push the clips back in properly.
23. Now go drive the car around and hit some bumps to confirm the sound it gone for good.
I know it took me to get it fixed, and not the dealer. But remember the old saying, "If you want something done right the first time, you got to do it yourself".
On a scale of 1-10 with 10 being difficult and 1 being extremely easy, I'd give this DIY a 3.
