How to Remove the Center Console From a Ford Focus

Park the Focus and put it in neutral. Pull the parking brake lever up. Remove the trim panel around the gearshift by using the trim tool to gently pry up the panel to release the four clips -- two on each side of the panel. Grasp the rear of the panel and lift to remove it from the console. If your Focus has an automatic transmission, unplug the connector underneath the trim panel.

Find the trim button on the side panel on the driver side of the console, toward the forward edge of the panel near the gas pedal. Use the trim tool to pry the button off and discard it. Gently pull the side panel away from the console. There are five clips to disengage behind the panel -- two close together toward the rear edge of the panel at the bottom and three near the top of the panel in a triangle pattern. Remove the side panel.

Pry up the trim panel around the parking lever. The panel has a single clip on the forward edge of the panel. Slide the panel over the parking lever and remove it from the console.

Remove three Allen screws from the panel surrounding the gearshift and extending up the passenger side of the console -- two on the passenger side and one on the driver side. Remove the panel.

Pull up and remove the trim panel on the left side of the radio and extending down along the gearshift. The panel has three clips -- one near the top of the panel along the edge of the radio and two at the rear edge of the panel. If your Focus S has the center armrest, the panel will have one clip and an escutcheon around the parking brake lever.

Pull out the trim panel on the passenger side of the console. The panel has two clips -- both on the rear edge of the panel. Pull out the retainer clamp on the side of the console and unplug the electrical connector. Remove four bolts from the console: two on the rear, one on each side, and two on the top of the front edge below the radio. Remove the console.

To install the console, set it in place and install the four bolts. Tighten the bolts to 35 inch-pounds. Connect the electrical connector and close the clamp. Align the passenger-side panel and press it into place to engage the clips on the rear edge.

Press the panel into place along the driver side of the radio down along the gearshift and engage the three clips. Install the panel surrounding the gearshift and extending up the passenger side of the console. Tighten the Allen screws.

Slide the trim panel around the parking lever and press it into place, engaging the clip on the forward edge of the panel. If your Focus S has the center armrest, install the escutcheon around the parking brake lever and engage the clip on the trim panel. Install the driver-side panel and engage the five clips -- two on the rear edge and three on the top.

Position the gearshift panel near the gearshift and connect the electrical connector if your Focus has an automatic transmission. Install the trim panel around the gearshift and press each side to engage the four clips.