Cleaning rear vents---beware..

[BillyRay]

Well....I got this early morning detail brainstorm..HEY lets take the rear vents off and clean all the water spots under the vents and detail the vents.
Things start Ok...one nut off two nuts off..shit..I dropped a nut.
Then get flashlight but no nut so now I,am at the middle section and now the whole staft is unscrewing along with the nut.
I finally get all the nuts off and remove and clean the vent area. Like it was said before the vents are a little warped too. I called Ford this morning to see if maybe a recall...non yet.
I also checked on a wholesale price on these vents..$186.00 per side/retail 235.00. I notice two of the plastic shafts are cracked so now I reinstall the vents with 5 nuts holding instead of 6. These vents are cheap so handle with care. I have a black no stripe car and I,am thinking about getting an xtra set and have them painted silver to match the wheels and front hood levers.
I know this when I washed this car again I will cover the vents so NO WATER gets in and leaves nasty spots.

 

[spddmnjay]

Here is a link to AZGT selling non warping engine vent sets. This may be a better option for you.

http://www.fordgtforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=8072

 

[Neilda]

Hmmm!

I won't be taking my vents off any day soon.

 

[KJRGT]

I got my center vents replaced under warranty for being warped.

 

[junior]

Anyone knows the torque value of the holding nut ?

 

[nota4re]

Anyone knows the torque value of the holding nut ?

A most excellent question, junior.

My strong recommendation is that if/when any of these nuts loosen, you carefully remove it and then put a drop of blue loc-tite on the stud and HAND TIGHTEN the nut. I would suggest nothing more that 1/4 -1/2 turn past hand tight. The blue loc-tite should prevent them from falling off and the "just past hand tight" will keep them from rattling.

 

[fjpikul]

When we were at Rally I in Detroit at Saleen, their techs replaced some of our vents on the spot. Owners of later, '06 cars have some double-sided tape on thier vents that earlier cars don't have. If you MUST pull your vents, think about adding some double-side tape to even them out. Hey Bullitt, remember these gals?

 

[tpraceman]

Frank you need two ladies to deal with your nuts?:eek

 

[junior]

A most excellent question, junior.

My strong recommendation is that if/when any of these nuts loosen, you carefully remove it and then put a drop of blue loc-tite on the stud and HAND TIGHTEN the nut. I would suggest nothing more that 1/4 -1/2 turn past hand tight. The blue loc-tite should prevent them from falling off and the "just past hand tight" will keep them from rattling.

Sounds like Meister Ryan just got himself a full tank of gas on me. See you in soon at the next oil change.:thumbsup