question on theose clips at A/C evaporator box
 

question on the black plastic box contains the evaporator. Question on those metal clips that hold the top (fan) and bottom plastic box together. How do you get them in place? Can they be pop in or slide in?

I did not disconnect the lines. What I did was popped the clips off the box. Lifted the fan. Lift the evaporator while slid the bottom of the box out. Now, I can slide the box back in, put the top (fan) in place but can't pop the metal clips in. arggg

do not use the clips virtually impossible to get them back on. Use #4 screws and drill a hole through both sections screw them together and done

Clips.
 

When I re-did our A/C I spread those clips open a bit, and slid them back on.

You are right, it is a pain.

If possible, remove the bottom of the box
and, re-attach the top with the clips.

pm me as needed.

Best,

Gerry

glad someone verified that it's impossible. Otherwise, I will have to fight to get them back in, and I don't see a way for me to do so.
Thanks rekstein.

I wish I can reattach them off the car, but I don't want to disconnect the lines and have to pull vac and replace the dryer. I think I am going to look for some screws now.
Thanks Gerry

I would suggest that it would be impossible with the housing in the smugglers box. With it out, I bought a pair of channel-lock circlip pliers which fit into the holes in the clips, and installation is a breeze.

I have that tool, and you are right, it would work only if the box is off the car.

And for srewing them back in, its funny that I now found out I need a very long and small drill bit to reach down there, which I don't have arggg.

How about circlip pliers with 90deg angle tips. My circlip pliers kit came with them.

I do have that, but there still is no room for it to lay along the box.

Clips
 

Also, if you decide to re-attach the clips with the housing in place,
be sure to place some paper towels or other blocking devices to
prevent the clips from falling into the smugglers box under the evaporator housing.

They can only be retrieved with a magnet by removing the fan resistors.

Gerry

Well, there you have it: the perfect excuse to go shopping for tools!
You're welcome! ;):D

I replaced the entire AC system in my 87. Your correct, those clips are a PITA. I used a long skinny "Hemostat" to hold the clip in place ( bottom part hooked in place) & then a long screwdriver to force the top part of clip to "snap" over center. I also packed paper towels around the edges so if I dropped clip, it didn't disappear in box of evaporator box. Hope that helps, good luck.
Terry

I have not pulled mine out yet but I looked in the smugglers box. The clips on mine have a piece of stiff wire (like lock wire) attached to them. It is threaded through a hole at the top and twisted together. I'm thinking that to PO used the Wire to pull the top of the clip over the top tab of the box.

Thanks for the warning. I decided to drill holes and shoot some little black screws in there. It's good now, but I had to remove the box to get nuts and bolts out of there multiple times. When I was done done, I dropped my little wrench in there and it got to underneath the plastic box. I decided to save it there :mad:

This didn't work for me. I also use a long needle nose pliers to pull it up while using the long pry bar to pry it in. didn't work. This was one of the reasons I had to keep removing the box multiple times too. This task was frustrated.

When you have to remove these clips, I advise you to either wait until you can disconnect A/C lines/hoses to take the box outside, or accept that you can use screws instead of those clips.

once I understood how they worked, I have used a hook on that little hole on top of the clip. still pita but it worked.

It can be done, it is not that hard.

When I first replaced the fan motor on my AC I did not want to discharge the system to pull the box out. Sliding off the clips is easy. Getting them back on, not so much.

First trick, tie a string or wire to one of the holes on the clip. That way when it goes flying off or is dropped, it is easy to retrieve. I used a pair of bent nose needle nose vice grips. They sell them at the tool places. They are the smaller size, and have a long, bent angle "mouth" on them.

And like many things in life, a little lubrication helps.

If I could do it, you can too. Good Luck.

I used circlip pliers with the 90 deg. tips- easy (with the box out).

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1479745618.jpg

I finally got a long little drill bit and put some small nice looking screws there. Keeping the clips for next time the whole evaporator comes out.
Thanks guys.