Replaced the defroster vents with new ones from Ray, but after a little sun -- they pop up on the outside edge. I've tried installing them different ways and even super-glue on the center piece, but the ends pop up.


I was thinking about drilling a hole and using a black headed screw on both ends but maybe someone has a Better idea?

Thanks for any help.

 

I know this doesnt help but how much are they from Ray?

You could try a different super glue. What glue did you use? Loctite and gorilla glue generally work well.

 

They should clip into place and sit nice and flat. How long ago did you install them? I'd be hesitant to use glue, adhesive, drills or screws on my dash.

Also, if the car sits a lot in the FL sun, consider picking up one of those reflector pads that sit on the inside of the windshield.

 

There must be some clip that's missing or broken or something. I installed mine 5 years ago, never had a single problem, and it's been in a LOT of Florida sun.

Dale

 

i got one from Mazda for about 25 bucks.

 

Could be something broken on the bottom where the clips go I suppose.
If that's the case, not sure how to correct.

 

I almost wanna say the end of the grille has a tab that fits into a slot. Been a LONG time since I fooled with that, but I'd pop them out and see what's up.

Are both sides (left and right) doing the same thing?

Dale

 

mine has the same problem.

 

This is my recollection too. Seems like it's usually the passenger side that has trouble staying down.
Been a while for me too. But IIRC I put the extreme right end (the end sticking up in the picture) in first...making sure it's secure. Thinking the vinyl may have shrunken a little, I used some clear silicone on the holes that take that tabs. Then snapped in the rest of it. I think there's one or two other tabs. After everything is in, as I recall, I used heavy books (WEBSTERS UNABRIDGED DICTIONARY) to hold it down overnight until the silicone set-up. Been in there for 3 or 4 yrs now with no issues.

The super-glue might be too rigid/inflexible. All that black vinyl and hard plastic probably expands alot in the sun.

 

I suspect the replacement units are expanding at a different rate in the heat, versus the rest of the dash which has been heat-cycled thousands of times. You might just chill for a while and see if, after some more heat-cycles, they start fitting better/staying put.
No WAY would I try to fasten them down with glue or screws...they'll break for sure when they expand.

 

Ive got a couple of new ones laying around and looked at that end. There is no tab or clip on the end. About an inch in from the end on the concave side is the clip that pops over an edge on the dash. Looks to me like either the clip or the edge in the dash might be damaged. I remember that installing the set i have in the car now was brutal.... I had to push way too hard to get the things to pop in.

 

My car sat in Osaka for a few years with no windscreen cover. The sun made my passengers side vent do this too I dont advise using glue, as that wont hold when things expand/contract in the heat.

I think this is to do with the small metal 'V' clips not holding in with enough tension to hold everything down firmly. The last metal clip is a bit too far away from the edge that lifts up, to keep tension on it.

When I get home tonight I might try springing the metal clip off the vent assembly, and bending it out into a wider 'V' shape, to give it more tension when the vent is pressed back into the dash.
FYI the center console main plastic insert plate uses the same sort of clips. And so does the instrument cluster hood. In both cases to get them to click in with enough tension, I had to spread the metal clips slightly, to increase their tension.

My 2c..

 

IMHO - Black Permatex is your friend. Great for fixing squeeky and ill fitting plastics.
It is also easy to remove when the parts need to come back out.
Seems to work in the south Texas heat just fine.. We had 74 days over 100 this year.

 

Slighty off topic but where can I get this? My stock one is in 4 pieces right now

 

If you were in the U.S. I'd suggest calling Ray @ MALLOY MAZDA.

 

Just ordered today from ray it was about $60 for the set.

 

As long as they have a 1-800 number I can call and make the military fit the bill

 

Mine pops up as well. I'll probably use electrical tape on the side to try to add friction.

 

Shoot Ray an email at HMKparts@aol.com. Hooah

This is the way Docta Choi ROLLS! Spirit R elec-tape ftw

 

sorry to bring this up again but mine does not only pop up but my new ones would'nt even click in anywhere... i guess its cause the dash is so old and dried up... i need help!!~

 

Before I knew about this thread, I had ordered a new passenger side vent. A month or so later (my car sits in a climate controlled shop), it popped back up. :/

 

could you either get some better clips or even maybe heat the plastic up and bend it down to un warp it

 

I've thought to saw them into either halves or quarters between the openings and let them lay.

I've tried gluing the broken ones together using model cement and a discount brand of crazy glue (cyanoacrylate) but havent been happy with it's bonding properties. used these glues with success on other plastics in the rx7. googled cyanoacrylate and found out there are a few varieties: methyl, ethyl and butyl.

Better question, has anyone had success gluing cracked vents together?

 

pop them off and pry the spring tabs out a little to give some added tension. issue is usually the dash itself may be cracked or worn where the tabs sit and aren't allowing them to grip. same happens with the center console shifter cover.

 

Epoxy that MFer so it stays down.

Its not as if those vents create enough tension on the dash to warp it. You'll just have to pry it off if they crack somewhere else. Hackariffic - but no biggie.