Removing Eyeball Vents

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/c...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/c...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/c...eyeball-02.jpg

Here is what that vent looks like once removed.

http://www.discardedmedia.com/scsi/c...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/c...eyeball-04.jpg

Here is another view of what you're aiming to accomplish above.

http://www.discardedmedia.com/scsi/c...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/c...eyeball-06.jpg

The vent slid right out. Here you can see how the vent was hooked.

http://www.discardedmedia.com/scsi/c...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/c...eyeball-08.jpg

Hope that helps someone some day!

thanks to scenturion for some additional data

Quote:

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Originally Posted by scenturion

I followed your instructions on removing the vents! This was way better than the 'shove a credit card in there' method of the other DIY's

I ended up releasing the tabs on both sides of the driver's and passenger's vents. The passenger's side was pretty easy - you can get access to the inner tab through the glovebox like so:

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-I...120_122335.jpg

On the driver's side, I removed the gauge hood and unscrewed the cluster to move it out of the way. You can reach the tab from the opening, but the angle isnt ideal. I managed to use a small screwdriver, but a pick/hook would have been way better:

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-3...120_123427.jpg

Thanks for your post, it was incredibly useful! you should consider making a separate "DIY: removing NB eyeball vents safely" thread so it gets more exposure.

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Thanks for the great write up and all those great picts! I still believe it's much faster with the right DIY plastic tools such as curved blister packing but I completely agree with you on not using strings, screw drivers, excessive force, explosives, claw hammers and so on. With the simplest tools, all four vents can be removed in less than a minute.

http://gearheadsmiataclub.net/vB/sho...s-the-easy-way


P.s. Thanks for reminding me to post my old write up here on MR and thanks for your DIY spirit. Keep 'em coming! We need more stuff like yours.

to remove my vents, i just got a shoe string and looped it in the vent and just pulled real hard, and it came right out, and it took me like 10 seconds

I found it quite easy if you can get a hold of the trim ring and make it turn slightly either CW or CCW... takes about 10 seconds as well.

great write up anyway!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by ctrench

to remove my vents, i just got a shoe string and looped it in the vent and just pulled real hard, and it came right out, and it took me like 10 seconds

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That's the fastest way to break the clips which are molded into the dash and the reason for these alternative methods.

guess I got lucky with mine, I have always just used needle nose pliers, and yanked fast. Have not marred them up, or broken anything yet (knocks on wood)