Removing shift knob panel in center console

[BartusCompater]

I'm trying to install a new shift boot and for some reason I'm not able to pop off the panel in the center console like I used to be able to. It seems as the the part near the front pops up easily but near the rear (on the side where it meets with the ash tray) it simply will not budge. I remember being able to just pop this out in the past but for some reason I'm unable to now. Is there a trick to getting this out? I've tried prying it up a little bit but I end up damaging the console when I do that since it's so soft.

[baltobernie]

Remember that the forward portion of this panel has a metal lip? The panel must be removed rear (smaller) end first. With the gear lever in 1st, I like to press two fingers into the boot, and try and grasp the panel by pinching the panel with thumb and forefingers thru the cutout hole.

[BartusCompater]

Ahaa, that might be where I'm going wrong. Thank you sir!

[puddin]

let me get this straight - there is no screws clips or hardware securing the wooden panel down???

i tried to lift mine out and it bowed up in the middle about to crack and i said F*** it
and got another beer.

[baltobernie]

There are sometimes two studs on the metal underlayment of the panel that snap in to female spring fasteners. These often rust away; maybe yours is joined together with rust?

[Italchic]

Yes, I have no female spring clips. My plastic pins don't have anywhere to go. My whole panel just free floats. I live with it.

[BartusCompater]

i tried to lift mine out and it bowed up in the middle about to crack and i said F*** it
and got another beer.

I think that's often the best path to take with any sort of frustrating repair problem.

[puddin]

so i guess after i bust this panel out it's gonna never set in again

[Adam]

I think I have a spare panel... I'll dig them out and post pics tomorrow. If you're interested, pay shipping and it's yours. I am tired of having duplicate parts dragging around.

[Adam]

I checked my box of spare fiat parts. Turns out that I do not have a spare wood center console.
Sorry