Not a big problem as such, more of an irritation. The eyeball vent next to the drivers door refuses to stay in any set position, after a few miles it droops and points to the floor. There must be some kind of low friction material to hold it steady. Does anyone know the proceedure for removing these things? I do not wish to break anything! It also has a satin chrome surround, this was fitted when I bought the car new, not an aftermarket item, so the fixing could be different, part of the 2004 facelift I think, I do not wish to bend or kink this item either! The Mazda manual does not help very much it merely states ‘remove vent’ Finally any tips for making the said item behave as it should? I could jam it in a set position but I would rather it functioned correctly. Any suggestions gratefully received.
There was indeed. The thread was called “Air Vents”. Go to “SEARCH” (top right hand corner), type in Air Vents, and click on any of the results, and you’ll get to the thread. (I’m not sure how to find the principal section where “Air Vents” is in the Index.)
The answer seems to be to dismantle them, clean out the rubbish and use a bit of Velcro if necessary. I keep meaning to do my own . . . .
(Geoff will probably say there’s a quicker way to find the thread, but it’s pleasant enough taking the scenic route and not a lot longer . . . .)
Try sticking a short piece of plastic electrical insulating tape in the cup part that the ball swivels on. All you are trying to do is to make the cup diameter slightly smaller than the ball so it will stay in place.
I used a bit of black bodgit tape (Duck tape or the like). I swivelled the ball around until I could see the side of it, placed a small piece of tape thereon rubbed it down so that stuck really well and then gently swivelled the ball back again. Hey presto all ok.
Pop them out of the dash, take them apart and you will see felt pads on the inside of the body, basically thay are full of dust and crap and gone smooth(no pile),put them in warm soapy water and clean them with an old tooth brush, reactivating the pile, leave it over night to dry or in the sun,and put them back together again, and back in the dash…like new,dont use sticky tape. heat and tape dont mix, gooey sticky mess springs to mind.
Mazda-mender. Could you be a little more explicit about the phrase ‘Pop them out of the dash’ Do you mean the rotating centres or the whole unit including the chrome trim? Are there any small plastic tabs or lugs lurking anywhere which could break? Two points here plastic has a nasty habit of breaking under too much force and ‘pop it out’ was what my dentist said to me about three years ago when I needed a wisom tooth extracting! So that particular phrase has another meaning for me. However I am sure once I know the exact way to withdraw them from the dash the rest should be, famous last words, obvious. Thankyou to everyone for your replies.
Can you enlighten me, I tried with string threaded through but didn’t budge, have got some thin cord but not tried it yet. Is there a certain knack to pulling them out or is it relient on strength (if so thats me out of the game)
I am sure most of the other ways will work including your way with the allen keys, i have tried the the string method in the past and hit problems with it,but i have been useing my way for over 20 odd years and never hit a problem AT, and no need for an old rag just incase of a slip.
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