Removing power sockets
 

Is there a trick to removing the cigarette lighter/power sockets?

I bought the tool, made by Dorman, but its junk. the tabs were too wide and catch on the bushing. first one ripped right out, ruining the bezel.

I filed it down enough to release the tabs, and grab only the metal cylinder, but it still requires prying to get the cylinder out, which damages the bushing/retainer...

I've watched videos, where people insert the same tool, and are able to pull the cylinder with little effort

What gives? i feel dumb.

Re: Removing power sockets
 

I've never pulled those little monsters.
Hoping someone that knows will pipe up. I'd like to know too.

Re: Removing power sockets
 

This will help a bit.

Re: Removing power sockets
 

I've seen that one, and it's actually bad advice...

The bushing is keyed, to prevent it from rotating, and the plastic on the bezel and bushing is rather soft. if you force it, you will damage both.

here's the one from the rear of the console as an example.
http://i.imgur.com/EPKdqbpl.jpg

the design is set up to that the bushing gets installed first, and the locking tabs on the side are engaged when the inner cylinder is inserted.
that's why GM has an official tool to pull the cylinder...

it's a great design for assembly, but not for future replacements.

Re: Removing power sockets
 

here's the back of the bezel with the port removed.
you can see the key at the top, and where the locking tabs dug in during removal.

http://i.imgur.com/x5u6PcYl.jpg

the side tabs ultimately broke off, making the bushing un-usable

I've been working this one slowly for 3 days.
here's my progress
http://i.imgur.com/yXbgfJyl.jpg

Re: Removing power sockets
 

This is a good demonstration of the correct process, but none that i've tried have been that easy.

Re: Removing power sockets
 

Dr Shock is pretty good. That's obviously how GM intended for us to remove them.
Once you've moved the square holes in the metal core past the pips on the plastic ring you should no longer need the tool.

It might be worth filing a square notch 180° from the existing notch. OTOH how often do you need to take these out.
The method in my video probably has a lower probability of snapping the pips off the ring. Keeping in mind that this is 20 year old brittle plastic. Rotate til one pip lines up so you can tilt it out and carefully rotate the ring til the other pip lines up with the notch so you can take it the rest of the way out.

Re: Removing power sockets
 

The only reason i went down this path, is because the power port surrounds/bushing on the new console were in bad shape, but the ones in my truck were in like new condition, so i had planned on swapping them.
and since i was swapping them, i was going to grab a couple of the covers from the yard..

this isn't something i plan to do too often, but after this whole ordeal, i honestly hope i never have to again.

I guess i'll just spend the money to buy new bushings, and power ports