Removal of heater control side panels

[Flostles]

Hi,

The heater distribution control on my MK II currently only moves over the lower half of its sweep. Within the engine bay it appears the heater flap control can be moved manually, so presumably the screw holding the outer cable has come loose within the heater control panel.

Figure 5 on page O.5 of the service manual indicates that the heater control panel can be removed by undoing the two chromed securing screws. The car in question is very late (1967) and only has a single chromed screw.

After undoing this screw I have been unable to easily remove the panel. Applying some force I am able to bend the top corner (nearest the gear stick) out a little, but that is it. Rather than going for the brute force and ignorance approach, is there some technique for removing this panel? I have read elsewhere that the centre console also has to be removed - is that the case, especially as the service manual appears to indicate otherwise?

Many thanks...

Ross