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Thread: Air vent disassembly?

  1. #1
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    Air vent disassembly?

    Is there anyway to completely disassemble the interior air vents? I recently wrapped the center stack with carbon fiber vinyl and I am wanting to do the air vents. Removing the vents from their housing would make this project much easier.

  2. #2
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    You're talking about the air conditioning vents on the right and left of the dash, right?

    I'm not sure about the right one, but the left one has the headlight switch bezel. To remove that, you pry the cap off of the headlight switch knob revealing an 8mm nut. Remove that and the knob comes off revealing a Phillips screw. Remove that and the headlight bezel comes out, along with the air vent.

  3. #3
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    Yes, they can be completely disassembled.

    https://www.bimmerforums.com/forum/s...01-I-must-vent
    Last edited by s8ilver; 03-12-2018 at 10:14 AM.
    Nathan in Denver

    1999 M Roadster, VFE V3 S/C, Randy Forbes Reinforced, Hardtop, H&R/Bilstein, Apex PS-7, Supersprint
    1999 Z3 2.8 Coupe, Headers, 3.46, Manual Swap, H&R/Koni, M Geometry/Brakes, M54B30 Manifold, Style 42

  4. #4
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    Thanks S8ilver, that answers my question. Any tips for removing the center vents from their housing? I figured out how to do the side but no luck on the center. I felt like i was going to break them so I stopped while I was ahead.

  5. #5
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    Center vents are just pressed in. Mine used to just pop out when doing 80+ and the vent was closed lol. I'm sure it's happened to others too.

    You can pull on the upper part downwards to release it. It's not clipped in but the vent has a ridge on it that keeps it in place (or it should).

  6. #6
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    Quote Originally Posted by jajou318 View Post
    Center vents are just pressed in. Mine used to just pop out when doing 80+ and the vent was closed lol. I'm sure it's happened to others too.

    You can pull on the upper part downwards to release it. It's not clipped in but the vent has a ridge on it that keeps it in place (or it should).

    He's not asking how to remove the entire vent assembly from the car; he's asking how to break the center vent down into its components.

    I used a small flathead to separate that adjuster shaft thingy. It's been a while so I'll have to look back at exactly what I did. You pop the vents out the same way you did the sides IIRC, but have to disconnect that center wheel mechanism to get all the pieces out. Let me take a look at mine and try and remember what I did. It was fiddly for sure. I remember thinking I was going to break it too, but then it just worked. I planned to replace with a small nut and bolt or Chicago screw, as it did chew up the plastic a bit.

    Did you at least get it down to this point? Seems this would be enough for a wrap.

    20151019_163422.jpg

    I had to get the wheel out for the carbon and a bit of paint work.

    VentsCF.JPG
    Last edited by s8ilver; 03-14-2018 at 12:11 PM.
    Nathan in Denver

    1999 M Roadster, VFE V3 S/C, Randy Forbes Reinforced, Hardtop, H&R/Bilstein, Apex PS-7, Supersprint
    1999 Z3 2.8 Coupe, Headers, 3.46, Manual Swap, H&R/Koni, M Geometry/Brakes, M54B30 Manifold, Style 42

  7. #7
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    I appreciate any and all tips. I have to say your vents turned out very well! I wasn't able to get anything apart on the center vent. Though I didn't try too hard out of fear of breaking something. I did wrap the center and a side vent while intact with some leftover material. I'm not satisfied with the quality of the work of the center but the side turned out ok. Also, I want to do a silver color to give the interior some contrast. I think everything in carbon is a bit too much.

  8. #8
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    Quote Originally Posted by nthor71783 View Post
    I think everything in carbon is a bit too much.
    I hear you there. I'm not convinced I'll leave the side vents in CF. They look a little out of place unless I tie the door panel speaker grills in somehow. I was considering just painting the thin surrounds of the grills a shade of red to match my vents. The parts are cheap enough (vents are plentiful on eBay) to play around a bit.

    I do have door blades to install as well, but it's low on my list of priorities right now...

    20170415_140944.jpg20170415_141021.jpg
    Last edited by s8ilver; 03-15-2018 at 11:31 AM.
    Nathan in Denver

    1999 M Roadster, VFE V3 S/C, Randy Forbes Reinforced, Hardtop, H&R/Bilstein, Apex PS-7, Supersprint
    1999 Z3 2.8 Coupe, Headers, 3.46, Manual Swap, H&R/Koni, M Geometry/Brakes, M54B30 Manifold, Style 42

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