Re- fitting drivers side parcel shelf

[Forkie]

It seems like i am keeping the forum alive single handed - so further to my braking issues, and reminding myself of what has gone on over the last 15 odd years - mentioning earlier of me removing the brake servo/ master cylinder combo jogged another thought - to achieve this, i had to remove the drivers side parcel shelf. I went to refit a while back - no chance !!!!! How on earth did i remove it - and how on earth do you refit it !!!!! I rememember offering it up, but i believe whichever side i started with, the other had no chance !!!! What trick am i missing with that !!???

[Roscoe]

I sympathise with your Issue I think I put the left hand side in first then the right side helped if you tip it up at roughly at 45 degrees. The worst bit I found was putting the small bolts in that secure the parcel shelf to the deflector for the heater. I also put some duck tape or a bit of rag on the end of the parcel shelf ( the front bit) so as not to scratch the plastic trim surround that holds the choke and blower switch and 12 volt socket. As you have to force it a bit.

[Forkie]

Ah, so it IS a pain then, and not just me being a numpty again

[johnnydog]

No definitely not! I recently removed the drivers side parcelshelf on my Valencia Mk2 2000 to replace the clutch master cylinder - and they are a pain to refit, especially if they are more or less as new and undamaged! Getting the thin curved end of the upright board into the correct position to accept the self tapper at the centre console is also a pain to do without damaging the board.
I usually find if it doesn't happen after a couple of attempts, go and have a 'brew' and when you comeback and have another go, it all goes together more easily!!
I sometimes struggle with the same machine screw securing the heater deflector, especially if you are trying to refit the spring washer and the flat washer at the same time! I've tried to refit it upside down with the thread upwards, but that doesn't really help that much.
One thing that I find sometimes does assist getting it into position and reducing the chances of damage is to remove the support bracket from the kick panel, and then refit it loosely to the kick panel once the shelf is more or less in position, before attaching the two machine screws loosely through the parcelshelf base to the support bracket, before nipping everything up.
It's a pain of a job I know - that's probably why so many were damaged or broken when the cars were in use back in 'the day'!

[Forkie]

Mmmm ok, so it is a bit of a faff. Mine is fairly good, i wouls say, some warping to board sides but no actual damage. I for sure cannot remember how i got the thing out !!! I think for a minute i will hang off having another go until i am on top of this brake issue, just in case the servo is coming back out again , which of course was the reason the shelf coming out it the first place !!!! Circles !!!

[johnfrancis898]

I have this trouble also. My one is not particularly good and I have to remove it soon to get the clutch master cylinder out. I managed to get hold of a second hand one in a bit of a state and thought about modifying the back section. This is riveted on and I am thinking about taking out the rivets and using self tapping screws or small bolts. This way the back section could be fitted after and hopefully better access to the screws on the centre side would be easier to do. The cardboard has been shaped and I have shown this to a mate who is a model maker so may get him to have a go at reproducing one.

[Richard B]

If I'm laughing; it is not at you, but with you.

That small deflector plate must have been designed to 'really' annoy people. I think using S/S screws and nuts help for the next time it has to come apart.

[Forkie]

Mmm well as my brakes now seem sorted, that now means i could ' have another go' at simply refitting said shelf , i look forward to it!!! Or not. No doubt i will be back here on this topic again... i still cannot work out how i removed it - as it is still in one piece!!!!

[Forkie]

So the youngsters of today are meant to be far cleverer than us - so ive just set my 14 year old the challenge of re fitting the parcel shelf for 50 notes - he is now ultra keen - keeps him interested, gives him something to think about, and will end up a far cheaper bill than if i farmed it out - a win win- if he susses it out of course We have one week, as im taking attempt #2 at a local show for next weekend. So he has 7 days

[johnnydog]

Blimey - I'd have fitted it for you for £50 Nige (if I lived a bit nearer of course!)!!!!!