sshoureas

iTrader: (1)

I hear this is common in thirdgens but what's the fix for loose dash vents that won't hold their position? Looks like there's supposed to be a foam pad that disintegrates over time? Does anyone make a more durable replacement material and are they difficult to remove and reinstall?

Drew

iTrader: (58)

Fairly common. The later cars have what is basically a foam rubber half circle, with a slippery plastic layer that slides against the outside of the vent housing. I've heard of people using the fuzzy side of Velcro. A self adhesive foam rubber might work. Walmart has adhesive backed Felt in the craft section that might work. Also seem to remember someone posting about putting O-rings over the retaining pins to give some tension, rubber washers would probably work as well or better. Just remember that whatever you use has to allow adjustment, and absorb the squeeks and rattles.

To get the vent registers out, there are pins molded in the ends, top & bottom, or right & left. Slip a small flat blade between the register and housing, and pry CAREFULLY in front of the pin, and tilt the register out of the housing.

Special Note : Later Firebirds have a few vent registers that are screwed to the dash, no amount of prying will get them out intact.

Galaxie500XL

iTrader: (1)

I used the fuzzy side of stick on Velcro on mine, worked great. The hardest part was cutting pieces of Velcro so they weren’t visible.

dmccain

iTrader: (2)

A touch of silicone works

Bow_Tied

iTrader: (1)

Drew, do you pry to push the vent/pin away from the housing or pry to lift the housing away from the vent? I thought the latter... but wondered if that would stress the outer edge of the vent where the flat blade would leverage against it.

Drew

iTrader: (58)

Not my video, but shows removing the vents quick and easy.

Drew

iTrader: (58)

Longer video showing how to get a gummy lectrical tape mess in your dash...

Bow_Tied

iTrader: (1)

Thanks for that, I didn't realize the pins are on a flexible tab, I was imagining that the housing had to be flexed, makes more sense now. I appreciate you linking the vids for me.

I don't think I will do the black tape deal. And that video intro was....

The o-ring looks like it would work ok. I also think a felt or rubber washer would work too.

Drew

iTrader: (58)

Yeah, the second video is mostly just for the additional views of the register. In the thumbnail you can see the remains of the foam half circle pad. Originally it would have been a thin layer of foam, with a slippery plastic surface. Over time the foam rubber rots, just like headliner foam, and the plastic layer comes off.

Bow_Tied

iTrader: (1)

I figured as much. Have you done such a repair and if so did you do the o-ring method?

Drew

iTrader: (58)

I got as far as removing the old foam/plastic, and I've got a pack of peel and stick felt on the shelf, but I've got a Contractor's Pack of irons in the fire. Cant beat the O-rings for simplicity and cost, but there are always alternative methods. It's on my list.