2007 RZ2-- Any ideas how to remove my cupholders?

[retox1]

So like the title says, i'm looking for anybodies ideas on how to get my cupholders out. They must have been glued in with some pretty powerful stuff because i can't get them to budge. Its only the 6 cupholders down by the floor that are the issue. The others came out no problem. I tried running a razorblade around the lip to cut the glue, but that seemed to have little or no effect. In some places they're in so tight i can't get a razor in there. Pushing from the bottom doesnt help either. These things are really in there. I was thinking about trying a heat gun but i'm a little worried about accidentally melting something i don't want to in the process.

I was all excited, i have a few days here with no work so i was going to start my winter projects. One of which was to make LED cupholder rings. Now i can't get half of them out. Its a little annoying.

[KoolAid]

They could have been glued in by the dealer/owner or they were some of the ones that were knocked in, therefore they are a very tight. You may have to destroy one to get one out so you know what you are dealing with. Concerns me the others came out easy and these 6 do not. Really thinking the dealer or previous owner glued them in.

[retox1]

I managed to get one out. I got a screwdriver under the lip of one and pried till it started to move a bit. Sure enough someone added a little glue to them. Even after i got it pulled away from the glue it was still in there very tight. If i do 5 more that way its going to be a long night. I think i'll try a heat gun and a prybar from underneath. Problems like this just drive me nuts.

[chpthril]

Most manufactures glue them in from the factory or at least use a double sided tape ring. Use a narrow putty knife with some tape around it to protect the gel. just insert it around to cut the bond.

[retox1]

These ones had that double sided tape but at some point they had been removed and glued back in place. I did get them all, but it took almost five hours with a few beer, smoke and cursing breaks worked in there. The ones that gave me trouble were pretty tight to the wall so i wasnt able to work a blade or skinny putty knife all the way around. In the end a heat gun and pushing from the bottom with a pry bar got them loosened enough to get them out. One was a real pain and i used a 24" pipe wrench to turn it until the glue let go. That one will have to be replaced. Anyways, i guess i can start my LED project now.

[chpthril]

yes, those with the double sided tape ring only work once and a little silicone is sometimes needed to seat them when reinstalled.