One of the well known problems with the X300 are the flappy vent louvers when the crappy brittle plastic clip that syncs them breaks.







For those with 3D printers, I’ve uploaded what I hope is a solution.







Now on Thingiverse https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:4605748

~Paul K.

 

Can confirm they work, but boy what a pain to clip in!



(it was just a test fit on an old spare vent, so didn't bother with painting it)

 

How do you go about clipping it in?

 

pull the vent out of the dash by making a puller-tool out of the bottom part of a wire coat hanger, then align the vanes as best you can while pushing in the new clip from the back using a long nose plier.

i found it easiest to push from the back while looking down from the front, as i could then hold the vanes aligned while pushing.
Start by clipping in on one end, and make your way across, being very careful not to let any vanes jump out of alignment while pushing down on another.

At least on these side vents, the vanes loved rotating and unclipping, so it took quite a few attempts to get them all clipped in securely.

puller tool looks like this

 

also make sure the hooks on the puller tool isnt too long or sharp, as they could potentially scratch up the vanes and insides of the vents (and if they are too long they wont go in)

 

Just FYI I've gone at this with cheap fleamarket forcepts (Harbor Freight also).



~Paul K.

 

Hi FerrariGuy,
Great work on producing the vent clip.
I looked into this a couple of years back hoping that a 3D printed solution would solve my broken vent problem. I was able to design the part by replicating the dimensions of the broken pieces I had.
With limited access to a 3D printer, I was able to create the part, but ran into a problem with the PLA printing material being too weak and was not able to get a strong enough part from the process. I suspect there is a better option than PLA and would be interested to know what 3D printing materials you used to create yours.
I concluded that I would need to find the appropriate material to complete this, but was not able to fully test this out and wrap this up. I hope you found a suitable solution.

I have added a link to my design in the hope this will help progress this issue.

3D print .stl file
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1NlF...ew?usp=sharing

 

So for those without 3D printers, one of these days the "BOSS" will allow me to buy one, is anyone selling these?

 

i would suspect that if someone did make them from a strong plastic (possibly PETG with a nice level of infill) that one would be able to easily sell many of them.
i mean no man wants a floppy bit.......

 

Id also love to know if anyone with a 3D printer would like to print some off and sell to us fellow X300 owners in need?

 

I used to gather up all the faulty center vent assys when I worked at the dealer.
I would take them all home try to assemble as many as I could from all the broken units. I would sell them on eBay for about 1/4 the price of a new unit and they would be GONE in a few days!!!!!!!!!!!!! I think they were something like $400 each NEW 'back-in-the-day.

I might still have a box of broken ones (without the louver clips) but I probably tossed them. (too bad)

 

I recently have spoken to a co-worker who has a 3D printer and a CNC machine. He will cut these out of acrylic and give me a couple to test. If everything works out, I will get one for each of my vents broken or not. He will also be looking at a few other parts to see what he can make. I will give an update when I get the parts and I will let you know if he is willing to sell.

 

I'd make that drive, CDMA

 

He has come up with a few prototypes and working on the final but he is not using a 3D printer. He is actually using a CNC machine and cutting them out of acrylic. Seems to be stronger and I think over time, heat..cold...heat...cold, that it with withstand that better

 

I took a piece of ribbon and hot melted to the front of the louves. They work in tandem now

 

Explain please and do you have any pictures? I'm still trying to get some prototypes built but the guy that does the work has been out for quite a while

 

I printed these off, and they work great. I put them on Big Red before I sold her, and now I will do the same with the current x300. However, I wish a sticky had all the places for 3D parts. I went here, https://www.thingiverse.com/search?q=jaguar&page=11, and there are parts that I will be printing, but I was hoping to find the radio/climate control console. I do have a 3d camera and probably will start working on creating the plans unless someone has plans for it. I found the
Door card clip - https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:3465143
Fuel Pump Mount - https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:4694424
Jaguar - pipe clip - https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:4783327
Dash v ent clips - https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:4605748

And many more.

 

somebody made a climate control radio surround.
but AFAIK they are not listing it as a free download for self printing as they are looking to manufacture and market the part.

 

Yea I saw that but when you look at the KBB for these cars in most cases, the 500 that they want to charge is 1/4 - 1/3 of the cars worth. I can think of better things to spend my money on these cars

 

I have a 3D camera and am working on creating this. It's not easy since I just started working with my camera, but If I ever get a working copy, I will offer it up for all and will make them at cost. May not be anytime soon, but I will continue to try until I come up with something. What is kind of weird is that my XK8 I could get one for a few bucks new. zI just don't remember where I purchased them but I am pretty sure it was somewhere in Europe