Center Vent Fix Needed

[Smoove1010]

The center vent ("centre nozzle" in PET parlance) has been floating around in its space in the dash since I've had the car and I'm determined to find a fix. I figured that there were mounting clips or tabs that a PO had broken off and here's the evidence:




I've searched forum thoroughly - can't seem to find how anyone else has tackled this - I can't believe I'd be the only one...

Any suggestions on how to keep the "centre nozzle" firmly in place?

Thanks in advance!
GK

[LIRS6]

I don't know the answer, but was curious if the correct unit is what you have - seems to be so, as evidenced b y this one for sale on EBay, but frankly yours doesn't look any different, I.e. It doesn't appear as though any tabs are missing.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Porsche-911-964-Center-Dash-Vent-A-C-Heat-91157205101-WARRANTY/132440113375

[Smoove1010]

Originally Posted by LIRS6

I don't know the answer, but was curious if the correct unit is what you have - seems to be so, as evidenced b y this one for sale on EBay, but frankly yours doesn't look any different, I.e. It doesn't appear as though any tabs are missing.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Porsche-911-964-Center-Dash-Vent-A-C-Heat-91157205101-WARRANTY/132440113375

Tabs are missing on that one too. My guess is that they are heat-welded to the top of the vent in those rectangular recesses.

[Smoove1010]

Here's what the factory clips look like.

[DaveMcKenz]

You may be able to bend a brass strip and screw it to the top of the vent box. This could simulate the locking tabs shown on the factory piece. You will need access to the tabs to release the vent, and that's probably why the original tabs were broken off in the first place.
Good luck,
Dave

[Smoove1010]

I’m sure you are correct - someone simply yanked the vent out of the dash w/o depressing the two tabs at the top of the housing - they probably didn’t know the right procedure. Whatever I come up with, I need to allow for future removal w/o breaking my fix all over again...

[wrxnofx]

Those tabs are crazy difficult to press hard enough to get the vent out. They are the same on the other vents. My suggestions is to put a WTB ad for one. If you want to use the same one, maybe some of the thicker 2 sided tape would help fill the gap.

[Smoove1010]

Originally Posted by wrxnofx

Those tabs are crazy difficult to press hard enough to get the vent out. They are the same on the other vents. My suggestions is to put a WTB ad for one. If you want to use the same one, maybe some of the thicker 2 sided tape would help fill the gap.

I'm sure those clips were meant for quick factory install, not so much for easy removal. I was thinking of two sided tape or even a velcro solution. I've got some springy steel strips I was thinking of bending into a shape similar to the factory solution but I'm not sure I can get the geometry just right by eye-balling.

Plan B is to buy a used part on-line but I'm not ready to give up quite yet...