Center A/C vent/cupholder removal - 2003 Boxster S

[nota911]

I'm sure this has been covered before but I just can't find anything.

I started dismantling the dash today, the objective is to get full access to the radio cavity and get the radio surround on the bench for easier adjustment of the new cage.

But I hit a brick wall. I do not know how to remove the plastic frame with the cupholder and the two vents. I got the "horseshoe" off (boy were those colored switch connectors a B%£ to get off), loosened the four Torx screws plus the two holding the metal radio support bracket, but there is something holding the vent/cupholder section still that I don't know how to deal with.

I thought it would be just a couple of clips, but I have pulled pretty hard and I feel if I pull any harder it will break into pieces.

Are there any screws I have missed? Or do I need to remove the vents and/or cupholder separately?

[kbrandsma]

The center vent and cup holder is one unit and slides out together. There are no screws. There is a center raised sections with saw teeth that once the unit gets snapped in prevents it from coming out. I used a thin plastic upholstery tool to slide in above the saw teeth and below the upholstered dash and then pull it out.

[JFP in PA]

[nota911]

Thanks a million! I would never have figured that out myself. I could easily have ruined the entire frame by pulling too hard.

This site is a gold mine!

Edited September 5, 2012 by nota911

[nota911]

Hmm.

I think I found the 2 locking tabs on top of the vent section. I have inserted trim removal tools as far as they go and there is clearly a feeling of them clicking in.

Problem is, the instructions are unclear - am I supposed to get to the clips THROUGH the vents or BETWEEN them and the top of the dash?

I have tried both, with identical results - the darn thing is as stuck as before. I don't believe it is supposed to be this hard.

Edited September 6, 2012 by nota911

[whall]

I accessed the clip through the louvers, between the first and second louvers (from the top). I used a long, thin common screwdriver. It's difficult to see the clip. The assembly goes back in a lot easier......naturally.

Bill

[whall]

Ooops!

Edited September 6, 2012 by whall

[nota911]

Finally got it out after I switched to a couple of steel grill skewers.

The instruction image had me confused as it looked like a standard flat screwdriver was used but the gaps in those clips are small.

[JFP in PA]

The tool in the illustration is actually one of Porsche's nearly unobtainable $1,000 special tools. :eek:

We use a long, thin "electrician’s screw driver" that we found at Sears, works fine.