Need some disassembly help

Does anyone know of the correct way to get these AC corner vent balls out of an early AC package tray? I want to clean them and one needs a repair to one of the slats.

I tried to just apply some simple pressure to one of them to removed it but that is the reason that one now needs a slat repair

 

I believe there are pieces of foam that hold it in.I could be wrong though

 

The felt just holds them in place. Does it look like the front part of the outer ring is glued on? I can't get to my car, to have a look.

 

Most of the foam has already fallen out and whatever was left was powderized.

I just removed the vents themselves from the package tray and now I can see that there is a steel ring that is installed from the back side. You can see in the photo that Ford put 4 little "crimps" in the steel ring to grip the outer plastic ring and hold it in place. Tomorrow, after work, I'll take a shot at removing one of the rings.

Does anyone have any spare vents - this might get ugly

 

A tech article on this would really be helpful. The felt has come out on mine so the vents flop around and won't stay in a position. I didn't see how to get them apart or replace the felt.

 

I might have to read another tech article to put new felt in as there wasn't enough of it left in the vent to know where it originally seats. I'm thinking that it may become apparent once I get the retainging ring out and get it cleaned up. I'll write up a tech article if all of these plastic pieces live through tomorrow's removal attempt

I was driving home from work today adjusting my dash vents in my Suzuki SX4 wondering if there is a nice newer model fully adjustable vent ball that might fit in place of the stationary slat version that we have now. Have to work on that one.

 

I had the same problem. I decided to just replace the old units w/ newer units I found on the net. I am waiting for the wx to get to the point where I can replace my heater box, package tray and stero. If u wud like I can foward the info I have on these vent replacements. They don't have any rotating balls.
I figured it was easier to do this than fiddle w/ the old units. If ur going for stock apperance than probably won't work for you. I will post the source as soon as I look it up.....

 

I prefer the stock outlets if the felt can be replaced but, if not, would use something non-stock that works. Yes, please post the info if you can find it. Thanks. Jim

 

The parts source for what I used is www.nostalgicairparts.com
Parts as follows:

#500 - 2.5 in. Pro Series Round Vent
#DH25 - 2.5 in. Flex Hose
#5055 2.5in. vent holder
There is some minor mods needed to fit them to the pack tray. I used some thin aircraft plywood to elevate them where I wanted. I have some hvy blk vinyl I will fill in the gap between the vent and tray upright.
I still have my round units. If I decide I want to reinstall them I just need to bolt them back - I don't think that will happen. Like eyeryone else, my felt fell out too as I was trying to wash 38+ yrs of dust away. I did'nt see any way to replace it w/o possible destroying the vent. So, I think this will work for me.
If u decide to go this route be sure to get the vent holder "#5055" unless ur installing the vents in the dash. I got some hose to cuz the old hose just fell apart.

 

They look great, Everett. Thanks for sharing. It would certainly be handy to know where yours came from just in case. Nothing is stock on my car anymore so changing these out (only if I have to) would not bother me a bit.

Do your replacements take the same 2.5 inch flexable tube from the defuser box as the stock ones did?

UPDATE: I just looked at the Nostalgic Air website and that is the Motherload of all air parts - the choices are endless - now I feel like breaking my vents on purpose so I can buy something LOL!!

 

Thanks for the info. Looks like a fine solution.:Handshake That's two things you've found that I didn't. The AK rubber bushings for the grill pegs were another good find.

 

Well! That's the reason for having a networking source. To heip each other in any way we can. I have got a lot of gud info from u on AC and heating.

 

I disassembled mine and replaced the felt...

......

 

Did you have to remove that steel retainer - if so any problems?

 

I removed mine and replaced the felt as well on the 72 comet and my 72 maverick. I think I removed the ring on one but the other I believe I rolled the vent to where the ball was fat side at 90 degrees to the housing and the slats horizontal and gently pushed the vent out the back. then you can replace the felt. I just used adhesive lined felt for small projects from a woodworking supply store. That was 15 years ago tho...