6 replies to this topic

[Borocrazy]

I'm hoping someone can help. 

One of the windscreen de-mister vents (the triangular shaped parts) under the dashboard is broken on my 1994 JDM Mini so I would like to replace it. 

Looking from under the dashboard I can see it is held in place by two downwards facing screws which are accessed from the top of the dashboard near the windscreen.

It would seem that I would need to remove the vent trim shown in the photo to access to the two screws but I cannot work out how to remove the trim. There are no screws holding it in place and it doesn’t seem to unclip. 

Can anyone offer any advice? 

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[Bobbins]

The plastic cover is an integral part of the dash top and can only be removed (without damage) by sliding it forwards off the dash top, obviously not possible with the dash top fitted. The triangular vent below is secured to the steel dash top rail (below the vinyl dash top) by two small screws screwed in from above. I've not done it but it might be possible to release the dash top enough to gain access to the screw holes? The dash top is anchored at both ends and in the centre, it's the centre fixing that might prove awkward ... I've only removed a dash top without the windscreen fitted and not sure how difficult it is with the screen in place!

[mab01uk]

With the windscreen fitted it is not easy to remove the dash top and can result in more damage than it is worth......can you not repair the windscreen demister vent with duct tape or similar, they are only plastic in later Minis and not worth a big effort to replace if you can repair from below in situ so it does not leak air.

Edited by mab01uk, 05 September 2020 - 09:35 AM.

[Ethel]

I'll guess the  end the screw goes through has broken off?

 

They're not the best made things & tend to leak as much air as the deliver to the screen anyway.

 

You could use aluminium tape to clag it on to the dash rail proper & attach some sort of brace to the  pointy end of the screw by pushing on a spire nut or star washer

[Borocrazy]

Thankyou for your replies, very helpful and informative. I never imagined that fitting a new vent would involve so much effort.
The broken one in my car has snapped off completely. I tried to secure it with tape but however much tape I used no air comes through the vent. I wouldn't be too bothered if it wasn't the driver's side.
Looks like a fun weekend project taking out the windscreen and dash top ! 

Thanks again to you all for the replies.

[Chris1275gt]

I managed to get mine out of my clubman without removing the screen, it's not easy as you need to prise the 4 bolts out of the slots. When I put it back I cut down the bolts to about 10 mm which makes it easier to refit and now comes out quite easily. I had good access to underneath though with no instruments and everything else had been removed.

[MikeRotherham]

Later ones only have 3 bolts.

 

I bought a good used dash top and someone had cut the bolts down as well.

 

Hopefully, when I get to fit it the windscreen won't need to come out.