centre console sliding cover snagging

[omodos]

Hi all, this part as shown in pic has started to snag, is it on the way out? or is there any sort of lubricant i can use to help with the issue, probably cant use any oil based product as this cover is plastic and it will get eaten away...any tips much appreciated

[tmv]

I would try to clean it and its track with some rubbing alcohol.

[bcredliner]

The cover rides in grooves on each side that you can see about half of the length of. You can see if they are dirty or dry. You can clean the grooves with a short thin screwdriver with thin cloth over the tip as the grooves are smaller than a Qtip. Once it is clean add a drop of a light oil like 3in1 as far back in the grooves as you can. It won't hurt the plastic. Run the cover back and forth a few times to distribute the oil, it may take a second drop.

If that doesn't fix the problem it is something associated with the roller the cover wraps around when it is opened. To get access to the roller remove the 'basket' under the flip up lid, Then remove the two screws on either side of the vertical wall at the front of the compartment.

[Acidphase]

They have silicone based lubricants perhaps an electrical one may work well in this applications just check out the additives.

You can also use petroleum jelly(vaseline) as well it will not corrode however both them may collect more contaminants over time. Careful with the rubbing alcohol it could over time dry out the plastic making it more brittle over a very long period of time.

However 3in1 oil is a great product and would re-condition the plastic after the alcohol so it was a good suggestion as well. Either way I wouldn't worry to much about it being corrosive it's not exposed to a lot of heat from friction or to the elements.