windshield vents removal

did you try and pop them out? I don't believe you have to go through the process you mentioned from the WSM.
when mine became sticky, I simply took care of it while the vents were still in place. I taped light cardboard to the inside of the windshield and then proceeded to clean it a small section at a time.

 

The vents just 'pop' out. Put a small plastic screwdriver under the bit that rotates to stop/start airflow, and pry it out carefully. Takes 30 secs/vent.

 

He's talking about the windshield vents, not the main dash vents. Are you certain that the windshield vents can be pried out?

 

The vents at the base of the windshield cannot be removed from above. The upper dash needs to be removed to access the screws the hold the vents on the dash.

If you "pry" on them from above, they'll end up “permanently” removed, with broken retaining studs.

 

correct, there are 3-4 plastic tabs that will break if you pry and I'd say it's possible to break the vent itself if you pry. A previous owner had attempted to remove the vents to de-sticky them. So one was loose and the other still in place. So I've seen the tabs that will break off.

As described above, I used 70% rubbing alcohol on small swatches of paper towels and some long Q-tips and carefully rubbed off the sticky. Worked perfectly! took about 20 minutes for each one but they look new.

Just protect the area around the vents and you'll be a happy camper in an hour.

 

Glad it worked out! They now look a lot nicer, don't they. The forum is great as someone has usually been there, done that.