Hey guys. My girlfriend dropped a diamond earring down into the gap where the emergency brake sits. It basically was resting against the side of the emergency brake, and when I tried to grab it, it fell inside =( I can't see it, but I know it's down there somewhere lol. I'm guessing I need to remove at least the cupholder portion and molding, and possibly the armrest as well. I've scoured the net looking for a diagram to show me how to do this, but only came up with old ones for 3rd gen TL. Any ideas on what the best way to do this would be?? Or a link to a DIY diagram? Thanks for the help =)

 

pull the driver and passanger seat out then you will see bolts on the sides of the center console.

take bolts off and work from there.

 

or you can pry off the silver trim pieces that run along the cup holder/brake; ive done this before. basically if you can get the two silver trim peices off you will see various screws that hold the center console together and you should be able to figure it out from there. good luck

 

Take a look Bernardi's parts website. They have exploded diagrams on pretty much the whole car.

 

how big of a diamond was it....that would determine wheather or not i went in for it....1/2 carat or bigger, i would say would be my cut off point, then we have to factor in the quaility of the diamond too...

 

Thanks guys. Haven't had a chance to do it yet, will attempt this weekend. So if I pry the silver trim off I'll be able to get in there huh? What's the best tool to use to pry them so I don't do any damage? Would a flat head screwdriver work? And will the trim pieces easily snap back into place? Thanks again, much appreciated.

As for the diamond, I have no idea on the clarity, but it was 1 1/2 carat 14k white gold. Cost me $1400 cash, retail $2500 =(

 

I feel like the stud is under the cupholder, because that seems to be where it would have fallen (or thereabouts), when it fell next to the emergency brake. There's really no easier way to take that cupholder out?? I looked through Bernardi's Acura site, but I couldn't find diagrams anywhere. Could you possibly link to it? Thanks again guys!

EDIT: I found the exploded diagrams, but they really aren't a help to a novice like me. I wouldn't even know where to begin looking at this thing lol, it looks like hieroglyphics =P I was kinda just looking for some easy instructions, like ok take a screwdriver, pry the cupholder out, find the earring, and snap the fokker back in there lol. I know it won't be that easy, but one can hope lol. I do appreciate the idea though =)

 

Yeah, this diagram scares the $hit out of me lol. I think I might have to take it into Acura if there's not an easier way to get that cupholder out =(

 

Here's a pic of where the earring fell into, if it helps make matters any easier.

 

I would imagine it to be under the seat. I wouldn't remove the center console just yet if it fell where your arrow pointed to.