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  #11  
Old 07-10-2012, 02:47 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by King View Post
Here you guys go. Hope this helps and maybe saves you 700 bucks!
Thanks King its helpful.

Where can we find such PDFs for the rest of the vents (front, sides)?
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  #12  
Old 05-19-2014, 09:12 PM
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Sorry to revive an old thread, but I am trying to fix the adjustment tab that popped off my passenger side vent (it did not break, just popped apart). I have both the front tab piece and the hinged "fork" that engages the backside of the tab, but there also is a small metal clip that I can't figure out where to relocate.

The attached photo shows the two plastic parts as well as the metal clip. It looks like the clip may slide underneath the black hinge bar to limit the swing of the tab (the curve in the clip is about the same radius as the bar), but there's no obvious placement to me.

Thanks in advance for any help.
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  #13  
Old 07-18-2014, 10:23 AM
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Fixed mine just yesterday...

Quote:
Originally Posted by Clam_Alert View Post
Sorry to revive an old thread, but I am trying to fix the adjustment tab that popped off my passenger side vent (it did not break, just popped apart). I have both the front tab piece and the hinged "fork" that engages the backside of the tab, but there also is a small metal clip that I can't figure out where to relocate.

The attached photo shows the two plastic parts as well as the metal clip. It looks like the clip may slide underneath the black hinge bar to limit the swing of the tab (the curve in the clip is about the same radius as the bar), but there's no obvious placement to me.

Thanks in advance for any help.
I did this just yesterday on our new-to-us 2008 E70. So, the wire-pull trick didn't really work for me. I wrestled with it for an embarrassingly long time before I got a bit more creative. I used a small steel hook instead. I tried a few of my precision hooks, but they were a bit too sharp pointed and I didn't want to destroy the fork. Oddly enough, the cheaper Harbor Freight orange-handled hook works perfect for this procedure, since they're fairly dull on the point. I think it costs a dollar or two in an assorted set.

Anyway. Onto placement... sitting in your back seat that little notch on the plastic fork will be on the right, at least, it was for the right-side (passenger-side) vent. I assume the opposite is probably true for the left, all things being bilateral?? So, take a good look inside and review the other one for reference.

Now, gently insert the plastic fork, capturing that vertical rod inside. You can use the hook (from under the center slat) to help position the fork along the centerline of the horizontal slat while you slide the trim piece over the top. Finding either the right or left-most side of the fork, you'll want to be pulling it toward you, keeping pressure on it from inside the housing.

Once you have the trim piece over the top (silver tip up), eyeball the position of the fork, you will want to align it to your trim piece left-to-right as best you can. Keep that pressure on it by pulling on your hook, and just push the trim piece onto it until you hear and feel a snap. Then move to the other side of your fork and do the same.

If you're not the most steady-handed, this method can be tricky and frustrating. To prevent scratches you can cover the shank of the metal hook with electrical tape. Your back and neck may be a little sore, especially if you do this with child-seats installed like I did.

Dan

2008 E70 3.0 Alpine White
1996 E36 M3
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  #14  
Old 07-18-2014, 01:15 PM
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Thanks Dan, that's excellent guidance.
I ended up pulling out the entire vent and just fixing it on the bench. It was a little finicky, but anyone with a bit of patience can do it.

It's basically a matter of popping off the trim piece under the vent (flat trim tool or a butter knife works well) and removing the one screw that holds the vent in place. Then use a pair of small hooks to engage two holes in the bottom of the vent (just below the lowest vent slat) and slide the unit up and out.

Once out, you can either try to work on it like that, or take it apart further. There's a black plastic ring around the perimeter of the vent that you can pop off by working your way around the vent releasing the locking tabs. Then the vent slats easily pop out and you can quickly reattach the vent tab and reassemble the whole thing. Slide the unit back in, and replace the screw and trim piece.
Although expensive to just fix a tab, you could purchase a new vent assembly for about $35 and replace as described above in about 5 minutes.

Finally, that little metal piece in my photo above actually drops down into the tab so the little metal hump faces out. The hump acts as a "bearing" of sorts to ride against the front edge of the vent slat once the tab is reassembled back onto the slat.
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  #15  
Old 08-13-2014, 03:36 PM
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Same thing happened to me few months back, daughter kicked L side tab off - do you actually need the little metal clip - I placed it somewhere and I'm afraid it's MIA now. Thanks for the detailed fixes guys, will try it soon.
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  #16  
Old 08-13-2014, 06:35 PM
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I don't think it's essential but probably makes the tab sit more firmly and ride more smoothly. You could try it, and if it's not up to par, just replace the vent.

Alternatively, just go straight to plan B. A new vent is about $40 and will take about 5 minutes to install. $40 is a lot for a broken tab, but it makes the repair work a lot faster and much less finicky.
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