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Reviving a goodie from GT6ixer. I used this method on 2 broken vent slats and it worked great! Thanks Nate! Any update on how the repair held up over time?
Originally posted by GT6ixer in 2016
Not sure if anyone has had a loose slat or two in one of their AC vent assemblies, but I had one in the passenger door vent of my '84. It was bugging me so I decided to fix it. I'd thought I'd share how I did it incase anyone has a similar issue. It's not the most elegant repair but it'll save you from having to buy the entire vent assembly. And in the end the fix is invisible.
To begin remove the vent assembly with the broken slat by gently prying it loose from each end a little bit at a time.
Be careful not to lose the spring washer that is on the pivot post.
Once removed you can remove the wavy metal slat retainer.
With the retainer removed you can remove the broken slat by gently flexing the vent housing and twisting the slat out of its pivot holes.
In my case one of the two pivot nubs on the center slat had broken off. The fix was to use a thumb tack which has roughly the same diameter as the pivot nub.
First remove the head of the tack.
Next I used a set of vise grips to hold the tack while I heated the pointed end with my wife's crème brulee torch unlit it got red hot.
Now with the slat in a vice, simply and steadily plunge the hot tack into the location where the broken pivot nub was located (about 3/16" deep).
Once the melted plastic cools the metal tack is securely bonded.
Next I diked the tack until it protruded the same length as the original nub and then removed the sharp edges with a file.
Remove any excess plastic around the tack with a razor blade.
Now just reinstall in reverse order and the you'll have a vent assembly where all the slats move in unison.
Reviving a goodie from GT6ixer. I used this method on 2 broken vent slats and it worked great! Thanks Nate! Any update on how the repair held up over time?
Thanks for re-posting this. Yes, it has held up with no issues.
Someone just linked this thread to me in my post for a similar if not the same questions... That is here
I didn't see anything like that wavy retainer clip. Is there one in the center vent as far as you know?
Where can I gitme one ah them???
Yes, you should have something like that only longer. That clip allows all the vents to move in unison. Without it they all just flap around. I would try 928 International and see if they can sell you just that piece. Also yours should have a wave washer at either end of the vent housing like shown above. Those provide friction so that when you adjust the row of vents they stay in the position where you moved it. You can get those on McMaster Carr.
Yes, you should have something like that only longer. That clip allows all the vents to move in unison. Without it they all just flap around. I would try 928 International and see if they can sell you just that piece. Also yours should have a wave washer at either end of the vent housing like shown above. Those provide friction so that when you adjust the row of vents they stay in the position where you moved it. You can get those on McMaster Carr.
I love Master Carr! Thanks...
I have the washers, GT. They work well to hold the sections in place and for/in place of the clip,,, I have a plastic section that spans horizontally and is connected to each of the louvers allowing them to move in unison... At the top/botton (can't remember which) of each louver is a little post with a flat which fits into slots on the elongated peice connected to them all. All the louvers are expected fit into ridiculously small holes in the main framework to keep them in place... Basically,,, they just pop out of the framework AND the long connector. The framework, with the slightest tough, hoses and it's all downhill from there. Needing a fix...
04-08-2019, 08:42 PM
AC Vent Slat Fix
