okroby

Recently the front cup holder(just behind the parking break lever) on my 08 gx470 is refusing open. My mobile is suck inside and i dont want to break it - any suggestion.

Ancient

You probably have too many items stored in that area, or something is against the bottom side of the top cover. Try pushing one side, then the other. What ever is under the cover causing problems may shift, allowing it to open.

okroby

Thanks for the suggestion, will try your suggestion. To be honest - the only thing i have in that was my mobile phone. which a bit slim as well.

Ancient

I check my 08. You usually press on the front part of that cover for it to open. It has to go down 1/4 of an inch. The latch mechinizm is in the rear at the hinge, below that compartment. You can bend the front part down, but if something is binding underneath the center of the cover, the back half of the cover won't move, and that is what you need to unlatch it.

Ancient

One more thought, if you recently spilled a coffee or soft drink over the sides, the mechinizm may be gummed up and not releasing. You might try the red nozzle on a WD40 can, and spray in the gap between the lid and console at the back on each side. Using a wrag, so you don't get in anywhere else.

aljodoro

The cup holder, the entire thing, is simply pushed down into the console and held by some friction clips. See if you can pry it up and out. The entire think will pop out. Then you can try to move or dislodge the phone which is keeping the lid from pushing down enought to release the locking mechanism.

It is so easy to pull the entire piece out of the console. Then you have a lot of options to deal wlith it.

Ancient

At the risk of setting the worlds longest post on cup holders, I was able to pull mine out. I had tried before, but from someone spilling coffee or soft drinks, the front edge of the cup holder was glued to the console. This picture shows the bottom of the cup holder removed. The (4) red arrows show the spring clips.

It is easier to rock this side to side to remove, when the cover is open, and the cup holder is not glued to the console. I used my fingers inside the cups, I did not pry up, or pull up on the cover. The latching mechinizm is on the passenger side, see red dots. By pressing down on that side only, you may be able to get it to click and unlatch if you can remove it. If I was going to pry up on it, I would not pull up on the front edge of the cover, I would try the sides or rear first, to remove the cup holder.

I am going to lube the spring clips and the sides of my cup holder, before putting it back in. Oh, you don't want to look down into the console. I will be doing a lot of vacuuming in there before I put it back. Maybe this will help someone in the future.

okroby

very nice - you guys are awesome. I was able to open the lid after applying small amount of pressure on the sides, im going to pull it out and lube a bit. Thanks very much

Ancient

If your is stuck, put some soap dishwashing liquid around the edges and let it soak, incase yours is stuck too. I just lubed the clips and around the edges, so I could pull it out for cleaning. Glad to hear that you got it out.