I've recently repaired the broken centre vent assembly, so the flaps now all move in unison again. Attached is a pdf of how I did it.

Be aware that it's a fiddly job, and I didn't take as many pictures as I should have done. All suggestions for improvement welcome.

My thanks to Johnken for his review and added clarifications.

Mike

 

Good write up, not for the faint of heart to attempt. Thanks for posting and I'm sure this help quite a few.

I went thru a simalar process when I converted my center vents to add a back up camera. For air vents these things are overly complicated devices IMHO.

https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/x...e-cars-163561/

 

Excellent write-up Mike!

 

Thanks, Jandreu.
I saw your rear-cam conversion a while back, which encouraged me to have a go when mine went pear-shaped recently.

Agree that it's over-complicated: concept and execution both a bit rubbish, really

 

Nice sticky worthy write up. Do you think there would be any advantage if the sliders on page 6 were made from aluminum? It seems like it wouldn’t require mad machining skills or equipment. A few holes in flat bar stock with slots cut with a hand file or Dremel tool and Bob’s your uncle (as long as working the stock didn’t distort it). Considering its relative strength, would the thickness of the metal not be critical as long as it wasn’t too fat?


Depending on how prevalent the problem is, it gets me to wonder if this is an opportunity for one of you enterprising home machinist types to make a small batch of these. Here on JF we’re fortunate to have members offering home grown solutions to problems a lot more complex than this.


Thanks again for your excellent post.

 

I guess I'm just a lucky ****.


When I was seeing these threads/posts about how difficult it was to repair these vents I just didn't get it, as my experience was very different.


But looking closer to the details posted here...I had no broken bits, just multiple parts that had come unsnapped. It was fiddly to get all back together after pulling the vent unit out, but not hard, really.


So if you have malfunctioning vents, maybe you can skate by easy like I did, just have to pull that rascal and see.


Great DIY post, btw...certainly worth sticky status.

 

Mike, as I said to you privately, you did a hell of a good job. Thank you from all of us. I want to add my vote for a sticky on this one.

John

 

I have the same problem but only the slider of the horizontal slats broke off on both side.
I did not know how to take the whole thing apart at that time. So I did some measurement and used a 3D printer to made a replacement part.

I just clip in back in from the front with these tool.

 

Obvious question ng, can you print out summore??????? (p.s. You're a genius)

 

Brilliant.
I didn't realise that it is possible to R&R these little *&*!^$ without dismantling the whole thing. Perhaps being a surgeon helps

Thanks for posting,
Mike

 

Or a Jaguar Doctor

 

Yes, I can print more.
Or I can forward the g-code file for anyone who like to print it themselves.

 

I like your 3D design better than mine. And I used the same tools to install the arm. I used a dental pick whose tip was bent in to a hook, and once the arm was positioned with the four louvers, I used the hook to pull the arm upwards thus engaging the annular snap fits. It worked out well and functions like it should yet l still like your design better.