Leven Ally Windscreen Air Vents
Discussion
Thought I'd get a set of these while the windscreen is out, and I've got considerably easier access.
Wandered out to the garage to start heaving at the black plastic numbers, would they budge? Carefully followed around the edge to ensure the dash leather was not sticking, still no movement.
So I get the torch out and have a peek, turns out there is a little metal rod 2mm thick, skewering the plastic vent through the long side, so I set off to work with side cutters and knife, being very nervous about slitting the dash.
Anyway, after lots of faffing about and the removal of just two of the seven vents in one lunch time I thought I'd call in the metaphorical calvalry and spoke to Simon @ Leven, and it turns out that for a handful of S's that used this fixing technique for the vents rather that the standard gluing method. Other than cutting the wire, my technique is the recomended one.
So this lunchtime, it's out to sort out the other five vents. All I can say is that for the first time during the last month I'm thankful I've no windscreen at the moment!
Moral of this story is, check your vents if you're going to get the ally versions, as you'll really struggle if you've got the wired type...
Wandered out to the garage to start heaving at the black plastic numbers, would they budge? Carefully followed around the edge to ensure the dash leather was not sticking, still no movement.
So I get the torch out and have a peek, turns out there is a little metal rod 2mm thick, skewering the plastic vent through the long side, so I set off to work with side cutters and knife, being very nervous about slitting the dash.
Anyway, after lots of faffing about and the removal of just two of the seven vents in one lunch time I thought I'd call in the metaphorical calvalry and spoke to Simon @ Leven, and it turns out that for a handful of S's that used this fixing technique for the vents rather that the standard gluing method. Other than cutting the wire, my technique is the recomended one.
So this lunchtime, it's out to sort out the other five vents. All I can say is that for the first time during the last month I'm thankful I've no windscreen at the moment!
Moral of this story is, check your vents if you're going to get the ally versions, as you'll really struggle if you've got the wired type...
Tripps,
Been considering the ally vents as the next step on the Pod-mobile...
... and I seem to have those bloody wire things too 
What's the best way to get rid of them? bearing in mind that my windscreen is in place!).
Was thinking of using a junior hacksaw blade and a pair of snipe nosed pliers, so it doesn't drop down the vent..
Been considering the ally vents as the next step on the Pod-mobile...
... and I seem to have those bloody wire things too What's the best way to get rid of them? bearing in mind that my windscreen is in place!).
Was thinking of using a junior hacksaw blade and a pair of snipe nosed pliers, so it doesn't drop down the vent..
Podie,
Hmm, my method was strictly windscreen-off stuff, use the side-cutters to clip the plastic on the centre of each side above plastic "bridge" between both sides, then pull the plastic to a safe point using pliers, and with a scalpel very carefully cut through the rest of the plastic, using the wire and pliers as guards for the dash material.
One method suggested by Leven was to use side-cutters to clip the wire, but even my best pair would do the trick - perhaps I'm just a wimp!
With windscreen in place though, a think your hacksaw blade trick will work best, although chances are you'll lose some of the wires. I've lost four of the seven wires, and expect I might hear them clattering around when I'm next our for a blatt. Once they go, they roll forward down the dash, completely out of view. Any ideas for recovery welcome...
Good luck!
Hmm, my method was strictly windscreen-off stuff, use the side-cutters to clip the plastic on the centre of each side above plastic "bridge" between both sides, then pull the plastic to a safe point using pliers, and with a scalpel very carefully cut through the rest of the plastic, using the wire and pliers as guards for the dash material.
One method suggested by Leven was to use side-cutters to clip the wire, but even my best pair would do the trick - perhaps I'm just a wimp!
With windscreen in place though, a think your hacksaw blade trick will work best, although chances are you'll lose some of the wires. I've lost four of the seven wires, and expect I might hear them clattering around when I'm next our for a blatt. Once they go, they roll forward down the dash, completely out of view. Any ideas for recovery welcome...
Good luck!
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