scsi
03-15-2013, 12:30 AM
Removing Eyeball Vents from an NB
As I mentioned above in the louver vent post, the hardest part was actually figuring out how to get the eyeball vents out without breaking anything.
Many people found success simply using brute force to pull them out, some using string/rope or ziptie(s) threaded into the vent to provide better grip, or using pliers or vice grip to grab the vent (but risk marring them up). I didn't want to take any chance of breaking the tabs holding the vents in so the idea of simply pulling them was out.
Some have been able to pry them out using a very small screwdriver. I found this ineffective and also left a small indentation in my dash. Great.
I've also read about using credit cards or other thinner cards and sliding them between the dash and the vent. I made several attempts with different cards I had around the house and was also unsuccessful.
Below is what I believe is the best/safest way to remove the vents.
Introduction
Tools:
Flat head screwdriver ~6"
Some sort of hook.. thing.. (you'll see in the pics below)
Beginning with the end in mind, here is what you hope to see when you successfully remove your vents. All 4 in the NB look the same in there with 2 tabs, one on either side of the vent. Hopefully a previous owner hasn't already broken those tabs. I hear NAs have different sizes for the side vents and the 2 in the tombstone.
http://www.discardedmedia.com/scsi/cr/remove_eyeball-00.jpg
Here is what the vent looks like. You can see the notch where the plastic tabs on the dash clip in to. There is also one on each side of the vent.
http://www.discardedmedia.com/scsi/cr/remove_eyeball-01.jpg
Side Vent Removal
Begin by removing the vent on top of the dashboard right above the eyeball vents, simply pry up with your hands, it's pretty easy.
http://www.discardedmedia.com/scsi/cr/remove_eyeball-02.jpg
Here is what that vent looks like once removed.
http://www.discardedmedia.com/scsi/cr/remove_eyeball-03.jpg
Use the flathead screwdriver to gently pry the tab away from the vent. I chose the 6" screwdriver because there's limited space due to the windshield.
http://www.discardedmedia.com/scsi/cr/remove_eyeball-04.jpg
Here is another view of what you're aiming to accomplish above.
http://www.discardedmedia.com/scsi/cr/remove_eyeball-05.jpg
That takes care of the tab on the out-board side of the car. The vent still won't come out at this point, but it is now free of that tab. For the in-board tab, this is where I used the hook. I went into the eyeball vent from the outermost opening and hooked it around the backside of the vent body itself. Pull gently toward you and toward the center of the vent and it was enough to unclip the tab.
http://www.discardedmedia.com/scsi/cr/remove_eyeball-06.jpg
The vent slid right out. Here you can see how the vent was hooked.
http://www.discardedmedia.com/scsi/cr/remove_eyeball-07.jpg
Center Console Vents
I removed the radio and din pocket to allow easy access to the bottom side of the vents. Use the flathead to pry the tabs one at a time on each vent and pull the vents out. Here is another reason I selected the 6" screwdriver, it easily fits inside of where the radio and din pocket go. In the pic you can see what you're working with.
http://www.discardedmedia.com/scsi/cr/remove_eyeball-08.jpg
Hope that helps someone some day!
As I mentioned above in the louver vent post, the hardest part was actually figuring out how to get the eyeball vents out without breaking anything.
Many people found success simply using brute force to pull them out, some using string/rope or ziptie(s) threaded into the vent to provide better grip, or using pliers or vice grip to grab the vent (but risk marring them up). I didn't want to take any chance of breaking the tabs holding the vents in so the idea of simply pulling them was out.
Some have been able to pry them out using a very small screwdriver. I found this ineffective and also left a small indentation in my dash. Great.
I've also read about using credit cards or other thinner cards and sliding them between the dash and the vent. I made several attempts with different cards I had around the house and was also unsuccessful.
Below is what I believe is the best/safest way to remove the vents.
Introduction
Tools:
Flat head screwdriver ~6"
Some sort of hook.. thing.. (you'll see in the pics below)
Beginning with the end in mind, here is what you hope to see when you successfully remove your vents. All 4 in the NB look the same in there with 2 tabs, one on either side of the vent. Hopefully a previous owner hasn't already broken those tabs. I hear NAs have different sizes for the side vents and the 2 in the tombstone.
http://www.discardedmedia.com/scsi/cr/remove_eyeball-00.jpg
Here is what the vent looks like. You can see the notch where the plastic tabs on the dash clip in to. There is also one on each side of the vent.
http://www.discardedmedia.com/scsi/cr/remove_eyeball-01.jpg
Side Vent Removal
Begin by removing the vent on top of the dashboard right above the eyeball vents, simply pry up with your hands, it's pretty easy.
http://www.discardedmedia.com/scsi/cr/remove_eyeball-02.jpg
Here is what that vent looks like once removed.
http://www.discardedmedia.com/scsi/cr/remove_eyeball-03.jpg
Use the flathead screwdriver to gently pry the tab away from the vent. I chose the 6" screwdriver because there's limited space due to the windshield.
http://www.discardedmedia.com/scsi/cr/remove_eyeball-04.jpg
Here is another view of what you're aiming to accomplish above.
http://www.discardedmedia.com/scsi/cr/remove_eyeball-05.jpg
That takes care of the tab on the out-board side of the car. The vent still won't come out at this point, but it is now free of that tab. For the in-board tab, this is where I used the hook. I went into the eyeball vent from the outermost opening and hooked it around the backside of the vent body itself. Pull gently toward you and toward the center of the vent and it was enough to unclip the tab.
http://www.discardedmedia.com/scsi/cr/remove_eyeball-06.jpg
The vent slid right out. Here you can see how the vent was hooked.
http://www.discardedmedia.com/scsi/cr/remove_eyeball-07.jpg
Center Console Vents
I removed the radio and din pocket to allow easy access to the bottom side of the vents. Use the flathead to pry the tabs one at a time on each vent and pull the vents out. Here is another reason I selected the 6" screwdriver, it easily fits inside of where the radio and din pocket go. In the pic you can see what you're working with.
http://www.discardedmedia.com/scsi/cr/remove_eyeball-08.jpg
Hope that helps someone some day!