Skip to main content

I need to remove the vent grills that the windshield wiper shafts past through. It looks like I have plastic retainers in the sheet metal and possibly cast studs in the grill are pressed into them. I'm not sure because it is difficult to see in between the vents. I am also concerned about just prying on them, I'm not sure what they are made of, plastic or pot metal. I have noticed other Panteras have flat head screws that are used to retain the vents, but I don't have the screws. What do I need to know to remove these vents? Thanks.


Thanks guys, I wouldn't want to break the $125 vents. I appreciate such fast feed back, I really enjoy this site everyone tries so hard to help, I read it everyday at lunch!

[This message has been edited by Jon3613 (edited 07-01-2002).]
Original Post

Replies sorted oldest to newest

OK JON!! HERE'S THE SCOOP! WHAT A COINCIDENCE! AS I JUST FINISHED REMOVING AND REPLACING THE DRIVERS SIDE VENT JUST YESTERDAY! AND I DIDN'T SO MUCH AS LEAVE A SCRATCH. I REMOVED IT TO HOLE SAW A 2" HOLE INTO THE DRIVERS SIDE FOR VENTALATION, AS THERE WAS NONE BEFORE. HERE'S HOW I DID IT: DON'T BOTHER LOOSENING THE NUT AROUND THE WIPER SHAFT, IT HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH HOLDING THE GRILL ON! AND DO NOT! REPEAT DO NOT! PRY UP ON THE GRILL IT IS A VERY THIN "POT METAL". THE GRILL IS HELD ON BY 6 SMALL STUDS THAT PUSH/SNAP INTO NYLON SLEEVES. TO GET IT UP WITHOUT DAMAGE, I TOOK JUST A BASIC LARGE SIZE (LONG) NYLON WIRE BUNDLE "TIE RAP", I BENT THE THIN TIP TO AS MUCH OF A 180 DEGREES AS I COULD MAKE IT! THIS IS SO YOU CAN SLIP IT INTO A SLOT AS CLOSE TO A CORNER WITH A STUD AS YOU MAY GET! BRING THE TIP UP AROUND ONE OF THE GILL SLATS AND PULL THE END UP SO YOU HAVE IN EFFECT, TWO "HANDLES" AROUND A SLAT. NOW PULL UP STRONGLY BUT GENTLY AS IT WILL SNAP LOOSE FAST! VOILA! I DID BEND MINE GRILL SLIGHTLY AS SOME STUDS CAME LOOSE WHILE ONE OTHER DID NOT!(USING A FINE TIP TO SPRAY SOME WD-40 IN/ON THE STUDS WOULD HELP HERE). ONCE OUT I CAREFULLY BENT IT BACK OVER A CLOTH COVERED BOARD. IT ONLY CAME CLOSE TO BEING STRAIGHT, BUT WHEN SNAPPED BACK IN IT WILL BE HELD PERFECTLY STRAIGHT, AS IT WAS, AND YOU CAN'T TELL IT WAS EVER OUT! THE NYLON STRAP IS SO SOFT THAT IT DID NOT LEAVE EVEN A MARK ON THE PAINT. IT WAS A GOOD IDEA, IT JUST CAME TO ME. I USED SOME LIGHT GREASE ON THE SLEEVES AND STUDS TO AID IN PUSHING IT BACK IN AND IN CASE I NEED TO REMOVE IT AGAIN IN THE FUTURE. GOOD LUCK WITH IT! MARLIN.

[This message has been edited by MARLIN JACK (edited 07-01-2002).]
The 'factory' method was to slip a wide straight-blade screwdrive thru the grille slots and turn it, then use it as a puller. There are 6 total pins unless someone has already broken a few off; one at each corner & two in the middle. Factory grills are around $125 each. If all or many pins snap off the pot-metal grills, flathead screws can substitute; many Pantera now use black screws to hold these in.
Post
×
×
×
×
Link copied to your clipboard.
×