Author Topic: How do I remove the Dash Panel Vents? Problem Solved! Thanks to all!  (Read 3276 times)

rbouch8828

  • Full Member
  • Silver
  • ****
  • USA, MA, Framingham
  • Posts: 388
  • 280SL Mfg date AUG 1969
I have read a couple of threads on removing the dash panel vents, but have not been successful. They talked about removing the box behind the vent and then pulling some pins. In my case, the vent is loose all the way around, except for the lower right corner. I can easily move it in all directions, but can't get it off of that corner.

I tried taking the screws out of the back of the box and unhooking the vent slider, but those two things did not change anything.
« Last Edit: October 12, 2019, 21:55:16 by rbouch8828 »
RB

Tyler S

  • Associate Member
  • Platinum
  • ******
  • USA, CA, Encinitas
  • Posts: 1613
Re: How do I remove the Dash Panel Vents?
« Reply #1 on: September 12, 2019, 21:04:53 »
There is one more clip in the corner. You almost need a mirror and right angle needle nose to remove the clip. Be careful not to break the pin off!
1968 (67) 250sl. 4 speed manual. DB180 Silver
1955 220 Cabriolet A. White Grey
2019 E450 Wagon. Majestic Blue
1936 Ford PU Flathead V8. Creme on tan interior.
1989 Volkswagen T3 Westfailia Campmobile. Dove Grey (blue)

rbouch8828

  • Full Member
  • Silver
  • ****
  • USA, MA, Framingham
  • Posts: 388
  • 280SL Mfg date AUG 1969
Re: How do I remove the Dash Panel Vents?
« Reply #2 on: September 12, 2019, 21:13:15 »
There is one more clip in the corner. You almost need a mirror and right angle needle nose to remove the clip. Be careful not to break the pin off!

Hello Tyler,

Thanks very much for getting back on this.

I still have the box in the way. Did you remove the box first? That would seem to be necessary in order to get at the pin? Also, what is the pin fastened to? How is the clip attached to the pin?

Best,
Roland
RB

mrfatboy

  • Associate Member
  • Platinum
  • ******
  • USA, CA, Rancho Santa Fe
  • Posts: 1339
    • Mrfatboy
Re: How do I remove the Dash Panel Vents?
« Reply #3 on: September 12, 2019, 21:36:42 »
That last one is very difficult (if at all) to get off.

I can't remember if mine was broken by the PO or I just got lucky and it pulled out after wiggling a bit. 

There is a one way collar that grips the pin from behind. Much like a fastener of a ear ring.  You push it on and it grips.  The problem is that it really doesnt have an easy release.

Be careful.  Don't break the pin.

I didn't want to have to deal with those grippy fasteners again so I just threaded the pins and used a nut to reinstall.
1969 280sl (Aug 1968 build)
Signal Red
4 Speed

Tyler S

  • Associate Member
  • Platinum
  • ******
  • USA, CA, Encinitas
  • Posts: 1613
Re: How do I remove the Dash Panel Vents?
« Reply #4 on: September 12, 2019, 21:38:19 »
Roland, The pin is a cast part of the vent plate. The pin goes through the hole in the dash and is secured by a friction clip that is installed in the dash. The clips can be a pain to remove but if you can get ahold of it with needle nose you can spin it back and forth while gently pulling out on the vent face. Have a look at thread below.

https://www.sl113.org/forums/index.php?topic=7690.msg48830#msg48830
1968 (67) 250sl. 4 speed manual. DB180 Silver
1955 220 Cabriolet A. White Grey
2019 E450 Wagon. Majestic Blue
1936 Ford PU Flathead V8. Creme on tan interior.
1989 Volkswagen T3 Westfailia Campmobile. Dove Grey (blue)

rbouch8828

  • Full Member
  • Silver
  • ****
  • USA, MA, Framingham
  • Posts: 388
  • 280SL Mfg date AUG 1969
Re: How do I remove the Dash Panel Vents?
« Reply #5 on: September 12, 2019, 21:40:51 »
Perfect!

I will follow those instructions and see how they work out. Now I understand what is going on inside, so I can work my way through it.

Many thanks,

Roland
RB

kampala

  • Full Member
  • Platinum
  • ******
  • USA, CA, Hermosa Beach
  • Posts: 1209
Re: How do I remove the Dash Panel Vents?
« Reply #6 on: September 14, 2019, 09:03:36 »
I used a lubricant spray with that thin red straw that comes with it and sprayed a little on the clip / stem and was able to slowly pull vent and clip slid off. Still a risk of breaking the pin but lubricant helps. 
250sl - later - manual
280sl - 1971 - Auto - LSD

Aslam

rbouch8828

  • Full Member
  • Silver
  • ****
  • USA, MA, Framingham
  • Posts: 388
  • 280SL Mfg date AUG 1969
Re: How do I remove the Dash Panel Vents?
« Reply #7 on: September 14, 2019, 11:58:29 »
I used a lubricant spray with that thin red straw that comes with it and sprayed a little on the clip / stem and was able to slowly pull vent and clip slid off. Still a risk of breaking the pin but lubricant helps.
Did you take the box out of the back first? If so, how does it come out? I removed the two screws I can see at the rear and unhooked the slider bar, but that didn’t seem to loosen it.
RB

Pawel66

  • Full Member
  • Platinum
  • ******
  • Poland, Mazowieckie, Konstancin-Jeziorna
  • Posts: 5183
Re: How do I remove the Dash Panel Vents?
« Reply #8 on: September 14, 2019, 12:08:29 »
There is another screw holding the box. It is accessed through the vents, from outside. it is in top outside corner, you need a flashlight and try to look between the ribs of the vent out and up - you will see it. I will try to look for the post where Members helped me out with it.

When I put it back together I taped this screw to the screwdriver and aimed at its hole through the vents - not to drop it there.

I found the thread, take a look there: https://www.sl113.org/forums/index.php?topic=28566.msg206707#msg206707
« Last Edit: September 14, 2019, 12:19:56 by Pawel66 »
Pawel

280SL 1970 automatic 180G Silver
W128 220SE
W121 190SL
G-class

pj

  • Full Member
  • Gold
  • *****
  • Canada, ON, London, Ontario
  • Posts: 559
  • 1965 230SL
    • my home page
Re: How do I remove the Dash Panel Vents?
« Reply #9 on: September 14, 2019, 12:20:42 »
There's got to be a better way :-)
Peter J
1965 230SL #09474 named Dagny
2018 B250 4matic named Rigel

rbouch8828

  • Full Member
  • Silver
  • ****
  • USA, MA, Framingham
  • Posts: 388
  • 280SL Mfg date AUG 1969
Re: How do I remove the Dash Panel Vents?
« Reply #10 on: September 14, 2019, 12:27:01 »
There is another screw holding the box. It is accessed through the vents, from outside. it is in top outside corner, you need a flashlight and try to look between the ribs of the vent out and up - you will see it. I will try to look for the post where Members helped me out with it.

When I put it back together I taped this screw to the screwdriver and aimed at its hole through the vents - not to drop it there.

I found the thread, take a look there: https://www.sl113.org/forums/index.php?topic=28566.msg206707#msg206707

Thanks,

I will look thru the vent for that screw.

Is the part where he talks about “Seger” rings(?) important? I don’t know what he is referring to.
« Last Edit: September 14, 2019, 12:27:56 by Peter van Es »
RB

Pawel66

  • Full Member
  • Platinum
  • ******
  • Poland, Mazowieckie, Konstancin-Jeziorna
  • Posts: 5183
Re: How do I remove the Dash Panel Vents?
« Reply #11 on: September 14, 2019, 14:22:26 »
The "seger" ring - it is a circlip (I am sure the English name is different). In the air duct it holds the vent lever on its pivot. I had an issue with it, that is why I had to disassemble the box. Probably not important for you.
Pawel

280SL 1970 automatic 180G Silver
W128 220SE
W121 190SL
G-class

rbouch8828

  • Full Member
  • Silver
  • ****
  • USA, MA, Framingham
  • Posts: 388
  • 280SL Mfg date AUG 1969
Re: How do I remove the Dash Panel Vents?
« Reply #12 on: September 14, 2019, 14:30:43 »
The "seger" ring - it is a circlip (I am sure the English name is different). In the air duct it holds the vent lever on its pivot. I had an issue with it, that is why I had to disassemble the box. Probably not important for you.

Ok, thank you.
RB

66andBlue

  • Full Member
  • Platinum
  • ******
  • USA, CA, Solana Beach
  • Posts: 4709
Re: How do I remove the Dash Panel Vents?
« Reply #13 on: September 14, 2019, 18:01:06 »
I have read a couple of threads on removing the dash panel vents, but have not been successful. They talked about removing the box behind the vent and then pulling some pins. In my case, the vent is loose all the way around, except for the lower right corner. I can easily move it in all directions, but can't get it off of that corner.

I tried taking the screws out of the back of the box and unhooking the vent slider, but those two things did not change anything.
In addition to the two pins there is also a hook that keeps the plate flat when installed. Most often it is already broken off, nevertheless watch out for it.
See: https://www.sl113.org/forums/index.php?topic=18920.msg132180#msg132180

Alfred
1964 230SL manual 4-speed 568H signal red
1966 230SL automatic 334G light blue (sold)
1968 280SL automatic (now 904G midnight blue)

stickandrudderman

  • Vendor
  • Platinum
  • ******
  • United Kingdom, England, Richmond
  • Posts: 2815
    • http://www.colinferns.com
Re: How do I remove the Dash Panel Vents?
« Reply #14 on: September 15, 2019, 16:51:17 »
I couldn’t begin to count the number of these i’ve Seen with missing/broken pins.
Double sided tape is the easy solution for re-installation.