Anybody know how to remove the vents (Item 14 in the picture)? Looks like they just pull out. Thanks. Image Unavailable, Please Login
I think that I remember from reading older posts that they don't just pop out. I think they are screwed in and require dash removal.
Yup. They seem to just push in. I pulled one of mine out to take a look. The leather is getting tight so I need to find a solution to that. Image Unavailable, Please Login
Mine have alot of sticky stuff on them. Tried pulling them off, couldnt. Will try harder since u guys say the pop in and out.
Thanks for experimenting with the vents; I typically end up breaking stuff when I do the same. From your picture, I can't figure out what "captures" the plastic post. Any ideas? Seems like there is typically some kind of clip for this type of thing. BTW: I posted my question because I was told (by a reliable source) that you have to remove the dash to get the vents out without breaking the posts.
The Ricambi parts diagram seems to show screws, but mine didn't have them. They may be there and the last mechanic just didn't put them it. I'll ask a friend of mine who is a F car mechanic to see if he knows for sure.
Here's the only picture that I can find from Ricambi (Item 14); do you have another picture? The attached suggests that there is only one point of connection, with an undefined type of fastener. My source says that, to avoid removing the dash, mechanics intentionally break the posts, and then reassemble with the some "sticky stuff." Image Unavailable, Please Login
What is the reason you want to replace the air vents ? Stickiness or are they coming off ? If they are coming off it is the leather shrinking that is doing it. In this case you don't have any other choice than take out the dashboard, or, this might sound crazy but that is what i did on my car. If your windshield is pitted, you could take 2 birds with one stone and call a windshield company to take it out, work on the air vents and leather, then call them back to put a new one in. I did mine in this way and It came out absolutely perfect.
The defroster vents are warped, due to heat stress. Are you saying that, with the windshield removed, one can somehow get underneath the dash to remove the defroster vents without breaking them?
I am actually awaiting these parts and the smaller vents in CF from ValenceUSA. I have been told they are compression fit and should pop out with a good tug.
Are you saying I will need to remove the windshield to remove the vents? Or are you responding to one of the previous threads regarding the removal of the windshield?
They are held in place with spring washers. If you pry on them they will break the post off the vent. The vents warp from the leather shrinking on the dash & twisting them. You need to remove the dash to "properly" remove & replace the air vents. There is no way to access the spring washers to free the vents. Plus the new vents will not be secure to the dash without the spring washers to retain them. You can have upholstery shop stretch the dash leather to counter the shirking, but it's a temporary fix. It will shrink again in a couple years & warp the vent.
Your statements are consistent with those from StickyNoMore. Apparently, to avoid the dash R&R, one can bust the posts and take some (cheezy) means to fasten the vents to the dash. (Wonder where the spring washers go when you bust the posts?) BTW: From the Ferrari Workshop Manual, the dash R&R looks like a freakin' nightmare.
Its a time consuming job. The kicker is you have to remove the A pillars to remove the dash. To remove the A pillars you have to remove all the trim panels from around the roof (sun visors, dome light, door seals, etc all the way back to the seat belt side panels) I didnt remove the steering wheel, but you do have to remove the passenger airbag which has shims (count the # on each side before you remove the bag assy) I did it over a weekend & took my time. Took lots of breaks & didn't rush it.
> I just finished R&R of the passenger air bag; not too bad. For each side, I taped the shim stack with a little masking tape, and then marked the stacks left and right, respectively. I just left the tape on for reinstallation > Do the A-Pillars just pull out like the B-Pillars? > I've attached the FWM instructions (M 3.01) for removing the dash. Can you comment on which steps are unnecessary, and/or anything that is missing? Thanks. Image Unavailable, Please Login
No the right way is to remove the dash but, that is a lot of work, a windshield removal will also give you full access to the air vents and only take 20 minutes to take out and 40 to put it back in with new seals. However, if you go in this direction, you need to make sure the guy that does the job knows what he's doing !
Anybody know where to find Section M 3.04 of the Ferrari Workshop Manual? Image Unavailable, Please Login
I've done this before and can indeed confirm they are held on by spring tension washers. I think from memory about 4 of them per side. Actually if you've done it before you can whip out the dash in about 2 hours flat (and you don't need to remove the windshield)... It just requires you to remember where all the screws, washers, etc. are. Just don't over tighten the bolts in the dash too much or you may snap one (talking from experience here!). Be careful when removing the pop riveted panels near the roof as they are held on by 4 grey or white plastic pop rivets and likely to break (cheap to replace btw) if your not careful.
Thanks for the hints; much appreciated. A couple of questions if you will: 1. The FWM says that, to remove the dash, one must first remove the steering wheel and the steering hub. From Post #22 (above), it would appear that neither steering wheel nor hub have been removed. However, DMaury (see link below) evidentially thought that removing the steering wheel was a good idea: http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/138947128-post8.html Your thoughts on removing the steering wheel? BTW: DMaury agrees with you on your two hour estimate. 2. I've attached a picture of the "Yellow Clips" used to affix upholstery on the B-Pillars, under the rear window, etc. Are these the same clips that hold the panels near the roof? Image Unavailable, Please Login
