Dash Vents - Removal and Installing - Windscreen vents

[Peter60]

One of the most difficult things to do on a G60, I thought, was the removal/installation of the windscreen vents. I have kept putting this off but I needed it done. SoI started last week.

As it turns out it doesn't seem to be too difficult.

I thought I would document my progress.

Each vent has two hinges, tucked up inside the windscreen frame. When in place on a G60 it is impossible to see how they are fixed and very difficult to work on.

However, I was lucky in that I had a spare windscreen frame with the vents attached. Lying this flat on a table it was relatively easy to see how the vents were attached.

Vent 1.jpg

Each of the two vent hinges have a long pin holding the vent to the windscreen. The pin is about 70mm long and is 2mm thick. One end of the pin is bent to form an "L" whilst the other (that goes thru the hinge part on the frame) is just bent slightly. (This order may not be completely correct in all cases!!).

With the windscreen lying flat it is relatively easy to remove the pins with pliers. Pull, twist, bend and more pulling and they eventually come out.

However when the windscreen is in place it is impossible to access the pins - or I couldn't using a mirror, pliers etc.

Vent 2.jpg

However I found is that the pins are made of a very soft metal. The metal pin bends fairly easily.

So I was able to hammer (yes, not very elegant), using a long screwdriver or bar, the hinge part that is connected to the flap. The pin being so soft just straightened up and the hinge came apart fairly easily. I placed the screwdriver as close as I could to the pin and tapped it. I hope this makes sense. In my case I only had the two hinges - the vent covers had been removed. However I assume if the hinges were connected to the covers you would just need to tap each hinge in turn to remove them.

I haven't put them back together yet, but when I do I will update this post with details. I am assuming that I will reuse the pins after straightening them and it will be an easy job.

[RiverPatrol]

We love How-to's with pics. Thanks for sharing, this is good information.

[Peter60]

I am assuming that I will reuse the pins after straightening them and it will be an easy job

Famous last words!

First of all a correction to my earlier post.

If the hinges are actually connected to the vent (in my case they weren't) I think if the windscreen is in place on a G60 then it would be impossible to remove the pins!!!!! You can't knock the hinges sideways as the hinges/vent are one and the hinge part of the windscreen is on the inside of the hinges. Thus one windscreen hinge is stopping the other from moving sideways!

INSTALLATION

I think it took be about 8 hours to install both windscreen vents. Basically you can't see what you are doing.

The pins were easy to straighten using a hammer and metal plate.

I installed the pin into the hinge part of the vent, then tried (and retried and retried ..... ) pushing the pin into the windscreen part of the hinge. Eventually I got one then two thru.

Then to bend the pins was hard work. Again no room.

However at the end of the day success. Sore fingers but happy its over.

So I would recommend that the windshield frame be removed before replacing the vents.

I think it is easier to replace the gearbox/transfer case from under the G60 than to replace the vents with the windscreen fixed in place!