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What Am I Doing Wrong? ( Center Vents )

J

JetBlackZ

Member
Chicago
I tried numerous times this weekend to remove the center vents. I went over the how to and it seems so simple yet I can not get the thing to budge. I put a thin flat head into the area with the clip. Put a little force downward, although it is really hard to tell if you are actually pulling the clip down. I then tried using a credit card on the side to pry it towards me and still nothing. I even tried putting 2 flat heads simultaneously and gently pulled but still nada. Is there something I am missing. I read how easy it is and it really should be but I was pulling my hair out trying to get this vent out. Anyone who has gotten it out have any advice? I am usually really good at things like this but for some reason this is still eluding me.

Any advice???
 
I found two dinner knifes to be the best solution in V formation, think a credit card would be to flexible, and screwdrivers even jewellers ones seemed to big.
 
If I remember correctly the bit you need to press on it just inside, not at the back like it looks like it should be. Took me ages to get it right too
 
Do one side at a time, and pull back on the vent adjusters lightly... not sure if they get lose with more use, but mine pop out really quickly. 10 second job.

I think the vent open/close position may make a difference too!?

Just get any old screwdrive in just a bit onto the latch and move it up about 1.5cm at the end and thats enough... the clips hardly need any deflection, it's all in the pulling it seems...
 
I pull it out using the centre part of the main frame, less likely to break anything.

Have to admit my clips dont do anything now with the Carbon Fibre Leather dash, it's just an interferance fit which is better and make removal that much easier.
 
Here is how I removed mine - it does take someone holding two screwdrivers that are pushing up the metal clips. Then you have your hands free to pull the vent assembly straight out towards you. I got a piece of string through, around the back and out again (string not shown), then pulled on the strings until it came out.

It is like everything else associated with removing in terior parts. unless you have done it before, you really don't know how the fastners work - you really risk breaking things due to the unknown!

Here are some pics -

Z4DashTrim640006.jpg


Z4DashTrim640005.jpg


Hope this helps!
:oldman:
Best!
Jack
 
Did you pull the string with your teeth whilst holding the screwdrivers..?! :wink:

An extra pair of hands would make this *so* much easier... I experienced a huge feeling of relief when this was all done, it's quite frustrating for such a "simple" task...
 
Just to add to that, those clips need to be pulled DOWN, not pushed up as the picture above implies.

The foam at the end makes it feel sticky though, but I did find the credit card (or in my case the old RAC card, bit thicker) is the best way to do it.

ipod13fs.jpg
 
Whoa now I am confused, the little clips inside the vents need to be pushed up to release or down? I have been trying to wedge a flat head in there and pull down at an angle to release the clips but as I said earlier I have been unable to get these darn things to come out.
 
Down - NOT up. There is a black hole in the top where the silver clip goes in. When you press the clip down, it slides underneath the gap.

If you push up, it will lock the vent even more!
 
Clips are to be pulled down - use a flashlight from below to find the clips and make sure that you pull enough. Also make sure the vents are closed. -Still, very hard to get the vents out - I'm thinking it may be easier if it's warm outside, as the plastic may expand a bit when warm?
 
Success ! I finally managed to get the clips out. A co-worker borrowed me one of his computer tools that was a very fine flat head. I could actually see the clips bend down and then a tug got it right out. The other issue I ran into was the aluminum panel had the most annoying clip on the back that took me forever to figure out. So a few bloodied knuckles later I have my new matte finish black panels installed.

Thanks to everyone for your input !!!
 
Frederik said:
Clips are to be pulled down - use a flashlight from below to find the clips and make sure that you pull enough. Also make sure the vents are closed. -Still, very hard to get the vents out - I'm thinking it may be easier if it's warm outside, as the plastic may expand a bit when warm?
Click to expand...

pvr said:
Down - NOT up. There is a black hole in the top where the silver clip goes in. When you press the clip down, it slides underneath the gap.
If you push up, it will lock the vent even more!
Click to expand...

OK - you're right - down! Been a while since I did it - but I took the pictures at the time for just this sort of discussion!
Glad it worked out!

Jack
 
Batesyboy said:
Did you pull the string with your teeth whilst holding the screwdrivers..?! :wink:

An extra pair of hands would make this *so* much easier... I experienced a huge feeling of relief when this was all done, it's quite frustrating for such a "simple" task...
Click to expand...

My wife provided the extra pair of hands!
 
OK, so it seems so straight forward, but i'm having a nightmare with removing the vents!



I've now poked out on of the vertical fins and marked the aluminium :headbang: :headbang: :headbang:

Are you ment to be able to see the clips because i've tried shining a tourch and still can't see them....or feel them with the screwdriver. All i can see the hole as per the photos, but no clip.
 
If you get the vents at the right angle, you should be able to see the metal clips with the aid of a torch. Persevere!

I removed the metal clips once I had the vent out. The vents stays in fine without them. It will make the removal of the vent much easier next time!
 
Done it!!! :thumbsup: just went back out to have another go with......paper clips!

Still couldn't see the clips for whatever reason but managed to 'fish' the clips down with a bent paper clip then insert a screwdriver to pull the clips right down.

Once those clips are far enough down that they're visable through the vent it came out (with a bit of a tug) easy!

Thanks for all the help on this thread.

:driving:
 
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