FYI Fixed '90-'96 Buick Century dash passenger 2 AC vents too loose, keeps closing, f
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FYI Fixed '90-'96 Buick Century dash passenger 2 AC vents too loose, keeps closing, f
Hi,
I found and fixed the 2 loose passenger dash AC vents that keeps falling into the closed off
position on both our 90 and friend'* 96 Century. 90-96 are all the same.
Thought I'd share pics and tell how for anyone out there with the same inconvenient problem, as I didn't find fix on it out there.
Open glove box door and use a small socket(was it 7mm or 1/4 or 5/16", don't remember), to remove all the top screws which both hold the glove box top and the large ac vents trim piece.
Now remove the trim piece pulls straight out however the ends can get caught on the dash padding so just push the padding as needed.
Now see the vents center shaft has a spring biting metal tension disk.
What you can't easily see is there is a small foam ring behind the metal disk that has dried/shrank over the years, causing the looseness and so not holding the position.
Using a deep socket that is larger than the plastic shaft, or screw driver, lightly tap on the ring disk so it'* now further/tighter on the plastic shaft.
Check for vents holding their positions like they should now.
But if this doesn't tighten and fix the problem, one of mine didn't. Then the metal disk needs more bite, so do this: slowly remove the bite disk using a screw driver to carefully wiggle, evenly slide it back until off.
Once off, use pliers to bend/crush the center biting teeth down flat some and gently reinstall it on the plastic shaft.
Reassemble.
Take care
I found and fixed the 2 loose passenger dash AC vents that keeps falling into the closed off
position on both our 90 and friend'* 96 Century. 90-96 are all the same.
Thought I'd share pics and tell how for anyone out there with the same inconvenient problem, as I didn't find fix on it out there.
Open glove box door and use a small socket(was it 7mm or 1/4 or 5/16", don't remember), to remove all the top screws which both hold the glove box top and the large ac vents trim piece.
Now remove the trim piece pulls straight out however the ends can get caught on the dash padding so just push the padding as needed.
Now see the vents center shaft has a spring biting metal tension disk.
What you can't easily see is there is a small foam ring behind the metal disk that has dried/shrank over the years, causing the looseness and so not holding the position.
Using a deep socket that is larger than the plastic shaft, or screw driver, lightly tap on the ring disk so it'* now further/tighter on the plastic shaft.
Check for vents holding their positions like they should now.
But if this doesn't tighten and fix the problem, one of mine didn't. Then the metal disk needs more bite, so do this: slowly remove the bite disk using a screw driver to carefully wiggle, evenly slide it back until off.
Once off, use pliers to bend/crush the center biting teeth down flat some and gently reinstall it on the plastic shaft.
Reassemble.
Take care
The following 2 users liked this post by jimtmcdaniels:
CorvairGeek (07-21-2022),
TommyB (07-23-2022)
#4
Senior Member
True Car Nut
That will help folks!
Thanks!
Thanks!
The following users liked this post:
jimtmcdaniels (07-23-2022)
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