How to remove the sticky defroster vents on your 348

It helps to know the KW in your search for things on the forum.

I searched and searched for how to remove those little buggers of course just searching sticky vents.
It helps to have the word "defroster" in your search..

Here's one link I found..
http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/348-355/167616-defroster-vent-removal.html

but thought I'd throw some pics out there for it.

1) get yourself a #3 hex head bit.
2) screwdriver
3) plastic interior tool
4) shrink your hands

The first thing you need to do is pop off the little black covers over top of the circled screws. There will be 3 per side.

Use your plastic pry tool or a screwdriver. Remember, be careful or you'll dent the metal grid underneath. It is separate (on my car anyhow) so you ding into it with your tool, you can lightly tap the grid back into place.. yah... ask me how I know.

One tip --- put your hand over the top of the plastic cover... they tend to fly hard and fast in some instances. Again.. I know.

Once you get the covers off, grab your #3 hex and a wrench which fits it. Then shrink your hands and get in there and start to turn. At some point you'll get it loose enough to finger turn them.

Move over to the passenger side which, while the same toils, is easier to get to then the driver side with no instrument cluster save for you fellows on the other side of the pond.

Gather all your pieces and re-finish them yourself or send them out to your favorite vendor.

btw.. those screws are a little over an inch and they don't get easy to finger turn until you have about 1/4 inch out...

David

Putting them back is the reverse.
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Cool. I gotta do this.

 

Neat trick....

 

Nice job, I wanted to refinish mine as well so I might try to get them off now that I have an idea of how to do it. Thanks.

 

Thanks. Small wrench works too, but my tool box is a disaster.

Just put your finger on top of the hex and put downward pressure and turn.

Mobilized reply by David

 

Thanks for posting this... it has been on my short list to remove and refinish this.

 

Nice thread, and I like the improvisation with the tool.

 

Thanks Ernie!

Have to say screws went in much easier than they came out. Just put them back today.

Mobilized reply by David

 

A skew driver will make quick work of that.