Very easy way to install the rubber boots behind the center vents..

[painterdave72]

All you have to do is pop the actual vent parts out of the frame.. there is one spring clip on each inside of the vent.. just pull the snap out a little and pull the vent out the front of the frame .. then just put the frame in the opening and you can very easily pull the rubber boots on by hand.. took me about all of two mins.... Dave..

[DMCflux]

Very smart idea. I'm just at the point of putting my console back in. You saved me tons of time/frustration :worship:

[Elvis]

yeah nice trick, and the third time you do that the old plastic breaks !


use a 2-3mm solid wire like from a cheap coat hanger and bend it so that it has
a little 5-10mm hook on the end.
now while inserting the vents push the rubbers in place with that wire.

Been there, was frustrated, got this tip from a Delorean Guru, been happy afterwards
without breaking plastic.

[DMCMW Dave]

What fill frustrate you will be if the rubber boots are distorted from the last time somone did it wrong. You can stretch them over an object and heat them with a hari dryer, then let them sit overnight and they will regain the original shape. We use a plastic hammer as the "form" but anything of the correct size could work.

[Nicholas R]

What fill frustrate you will be if the rubber boots are distorted from the last time somone did it wrong. You can stretch them over an object and heat them with a hari dryer, then let them sit overnight and they will regain the original shape. We use a plastic hammer as the "form" but anything of the correct size could work.

This is what I always run into. Those damn rubber sleeves are always deformed on both ends so no matter which side you put on first/second, theres always something not fitting. Hadn't thought of trying to reshape them though. Will definitely try that next time they're out.

[jawn101]

I posted this in some other thread way back when but this seems like a good time for it again... I chucked mine in the freezer for a few hours before reinstalling them. They hardened up and it made them very easy to slip back into place, and as they warmed they got flexible again. Of course your mileage will vary if they are already distorted/folded in on themselves from previous bad installs.

[Rich_NYS]

I posted this in some other thread way back when but this seems like a good time for it again... I chucked mine in the freezer for a few hours before reinstalling them. They hardened up and it made them very easy to slip back into place, and as they warmed they got flexible again. Of course your mileage will vary if they are already distorted/folded in on themselves from previous bad installs.

Dude.....this just changed my life.

Those two boots were the bane of my existence until I read your post. My rubber boots were/are distorted; I was struggling with the reassembly, with a moment of [expensive] rage probably not far off.

Last night I put the boots on the vent and wedged some folded paper towels between the boots & vent housing (to "splay" it out a bit.)

Today I installed the boots, then vent in about 30 seconds....nice!

[Josh]

I posted this in some other thread way back when but this seems like a good time for it again... I chucked mine in the freezer for a few hours before reinstalling them. They hardened up and it made them very easy to slip back into place, and as they warmed they got flexible again. Of course your mileage will vary if they are already distorted/folded in on themselves from previous bad installs.

WHAT!

This is so smart.

You are the smartest person ever

[jawn101]

WHAT!

This is so smart.

You are the smartest person ever

LOL, thanks guys. Glad to help.

[mr_maxime]

I saw this a while back but sadly mine were too distorted to make this work

[Rich_NYS]

Dude.....this just changed my life.

Those two boots were the bane of my existence until I read your post. My rubber boots were/are distorted; I was struggling with the reassembly, with a moment of [expensive] rage probably not far off.

Last night I put the boots on the vent and wedged some folded paper towels between the boots & vent housing (to "splay" it out a bit) then put it in the freezer.

Today I installed the boots, then the vent in about 30 seconds....nice!


*Edit in bold.

[Rich_NYS]

I saw this a while back but sadly mine were too distorted to make this work

The square part on mine were distorted, but I put them on the vent assembly first, then into the freezer so they'd hold the shape.

[lazabby]

Pictures?

[Rich_NYS]

Pictures?

I didn't think to take pics, sorry.

[Rich]

Dude.....this just changed my life.

Those two boots were the bane of my existence until I read your post. My rubber boots were/are distorted; I was struggling with the reassembly, with a moment of [expensive] rage probably not far off.

Last night I put the boots on the vent and wedged some folded paper towels between the boots & vent housing (to "splay" it out a bit.)

Today I installed the boots, then vent in about 30 seconds....nice!

Yes, Jawn101 IS a genius.

For those trying to recover mangled boots with this method don't give up. Take the vent and the boot out of the car and warm the boot up a bit. It's just vinyl and can take a little heat from a hair dryer. When it gets more flexible then work it onto the vent in order to set it up for the freeze + installation. I like the idea of the paper towels as spacers during this 'boot adjustment' step.

Let it sit that way for a day or two. It can't hurt. Then do Jawn's freeze-down and proceed with an easy installation.

[jawn101]

Who would have thought this would be my best idea yet? I thought for sure it would be the hamburger earmuffs. Oh well.

[Josh]

Who would have thought this would be my best idea yet? I thought for sure it would be the hamburger earmuffs. Oh well.

sounds like a close second to me.
You have to start getting patents for all your genius.