I have a 1990 420 SEL and I am replacing the gear shift and the wood trim piece on the center console. I have looked everywhere for instructions to remove the trim piece and cannot find any. How do you remove the trim piece from the center console. Thanks, appreciate any help, Tony.

Open the ashtray. Unscrew the two screws at the bottom of the ashtray. Pull it out gently, being careful not to cut or scratch the material on either side of it. The little storage tray below the ashtray should now lift out. Slide the wood trim piece forward, and it will come out of its sockets. Now you just have to remove the various switches and you are set.

Thanks Ben
 

Ben, greatly appreciate the info on the center console. I'll give it a try this weekend. Take care, Tony.

No problem. I should have added that you should be extremely careful when working with the center console trim piece. The wood and the laminate over it are delicate, and it is easy to put a hairline crack in them. It's entirely possible to remove these without incurring any damage, you just need to go slow and be careful.