Unfortunately the vanes on my driver's side aimable air vent (left of the gauge cluster) are broken, and after looking at the manual it appears that you have to remove the entire freakin' dash to get the vent out! It's held in by three screws. Anyone here ever replace theirs, and have a better method? Taking the whole dash apart looks like it would be a major pain. Thanks!

 

You must remove the entire dash to fix those vents.

 

wow that really sucks, cus i was planning on painting those..

 

getting the entire DRIVER'S SIDE vent assembly out without removing the dash is possible (i.e., forget about the passenger side!)....I did it, and man was it a major PIA. However, it's really not necessary. If the vanes are broken, simply get another vent assembly from a parts car (or just the vanes from an intact vent) and use it to replace the broken ones in the dash. The side vents have an outer trim ring that snaps in place; it's tricky to remove, but it's removal is necessary to being able to access the structure that supports the vanes. If you snap it into peices, don't worry, remember, you have the spare vent from which you can scavenge another trim ring. The best way I found to remove it is simply to sneak the blade of a flathead screwdriver between the trim and the vent housing (you can see the seam by looking in by the side of the vent opening) and use your fingers to get enough leverage to pull that sucka out. Once you got that trim ring out fo the way, you can figure out the rest. Good luck!

 

BTW, I noticed you were in Maryland.....if you need help, feel free to contact me

chris

 

Thanks for the great input...I'm going to try that soon. You were able to get the new vanes in without breaking them? I'll have to make a trip to the Brandywine junk yard in Upper Marlboro - where Maryland Maximas go to die! Take it easy,

-Al