Screwed up today - broke fender vent mounting tabs
#1
Rotary Freak
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Screwed up today - broke fender vent mounting tabs
While waxing I noticed that the black plastic vent screen was out of place.
When pulled, the front of the vent popped right out (car had been wrecked and rebuilt before I bought it). Unfortunately the back came right out too when the plastic tabs that hold the vent in sheared off.
I plan to epoxy the screen back onto the vent.
I have been thinking that maybe I can epoxy a screw in place of the sheared tabs and then squirt a blob of silicone glue onto the vent where the tabs used to be and then press the unit back into place. I am hoping that as the silicone cures it will be pushed into the slot and hold the vent in place.
If this doesn't work I will go lube up and go to Mazda to buy a new one.
Does anyone have any other suggestions for getting the vent back on securely?
Does anyone know of a good epoxy for bonding metal to plastic?
When pulled, the front of the vent popped right out (car had been wrecked and rebuilt before I bought it). Unfortunately the back came right out too when the plastic tabs that hold the vent in sheared off.
I plan to epoxy the screen back onto the vent.
I have been thinking that maybe I can epoxy a screw in place of the sheared tabs and then squirt a blob of silicone glue onto the vent where the tabs used to be and then press the unit back into place. I am hoping that as the silicone cures it will be pushed into the slot and hold the vent in place.
If this doesn't work I will go lube up and go to Mazda to buy a new one.
Does anyone have any other suggestions for getting the vent back on securely?
Does anyone know of a good epoxy for bonding metal to plastic?
Last edited by BLKTOPTRVL; 03-13-04 at 05:50 PM.
#2
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My tabs were broken also. I epoxied the screen back on the vent then used 3M tape to hold the vent to the front fender. It holds it securely and can also be removed again if need be.
#7
Blow up or win
You might want to consider some stainless steel mesh in there instead of the OEM plastic grill while you are at it. Use the OEM grill as a form to shape it. Hold it in place with plastic epoxy putty. The putty comes in a small " tootsie roll" that you cut off and knead to activate. Just scuff the smooth plastic with some coarse emory paper and it will stick forever. Don't use regular sand paper since it will leave dust behind on the plastic and inhibit the grip of the epoxy. You can shape it with a Dremel tool or drill it - whatever.
If you go the double sided tape route get the "outdoor" version - it's grey. Works great.
An easy mod and a nice cosmetic touch.
If you go the double sided tape route get the "outdoor" version - it's grey. Works great.
An easy mod and a nice cosmetic touch.