Driver's underdash HANDGING down - how to fix

[luluchiboy]

My driver's side underdash is handing down and need to be fixed.. how did it hold itself up in the first place and how to fix?

Also any tips about replacing those plastic heater vents... the fins seems to be broken...

Thanks from a newbie...

[Ekapol]

Also any tips about replacing those plastic heater vents... the fins seems to be broken...

Mine broke too. I stocked up quite a bit of them since last time. Not sure if you have Federal Elan or UK version. I have Federal version with me.

You could get them from your local Ford dealer or IM me.

[RayD]

My driver's side underdash is handing down... how did it hold itself up in the first place and how to fix?

Can you post a picture or two?

Ray

[luluchiboy]

What do you mean by the federal version vs UK?

I'm a newbbie sorry.

Mine is a USA version??

so I can actually purchase parts for a Lotus at the Ford dealership?

WOW. also what part number should I be asking them about... and how to take out old ones and install new ones?

I would really appreciate some help from some experts.

Thanks.

[Elanlover]

Ekapol, are these in the parts cross reference section? I didn't realize these were the same vents!

[Doug]

the vent in Ekapols hand is the Federal/USA one. It is a Ford part and has the part number on its side. You can pull them straight out with your hand, but to avoid making marks prying on them with a screwdriver or sorts, you can take some wire from a hanger, bend the tips and stick 2 in and use them to pull it forward and out carefully and you shouldn't damage anything.

[tweetdriver63]

My driver's side underdash is handing down and need to be fixed.. how did it hold itself up in the first place and how to fix?

Also any tips about replacing those plastic heater vents... the fins seems to be broken...

Thanks from a newbie...

By "underdash" I think you're referring to the knee bolster, right? If so, the two clips that hold the thing on at the front (closest to the driver) have either borken or come off from where they hold. You have to find the two nuts that hold the thing one at the other end (toward the pedals), remove them, then re-attach the clips to the metal ridge they hook on.

There's some info on finding those nuts here. Go down to about the fourth post. It sounds like a real pain in the arse, but I have to do it too. My bolster is off at the front, of my own doing.

[Ekapol]

the vent in Ekapols hand is the Federal/USA one. It is a Ford part and has the part number on its side. You can pull them straight out with your hand, but to avoid making marks prying on them with a screwdriver or sorts, you can take some wire from a hanger, bend the tips and stick 2 in and use them to pull it forward and out carefully and you shouldn't damage anything.

Elanlover, they might look different than yours. I have a USA Elan (Federal).

[Nige]

The vents are the same as the UK for the centre of the dash (and I assume rest of the world as well) the outers are different to this on UK models. I can confirm these vents are ford parts and if I get the chance to have dig amongst my spare parts pile this weekend I'll find the part number and post it.

[Elanlover]

Elanlover, they might look different than yours. I have a USA Elan (Federal).

Different from the Fed one I have??????

[DaveT]

Manchester repair or Fothergills operation is also good if your underdash is a problem

[Ekapol]

Elanlover, they might look different than yours. I have a USA Elan (Federal).

Different from the Fed one I have??????