Fixed the Plastic Thing

[Zilverado]

Here are "before" and "after" shots of my repair to my heater/vent door control arm (or what ever you'ld call it). The broken plastic piece in the first picture was a discontinued part at the dealer, so I fashioned my own metal replacement. I guarentee you, that metal one will last a whole lot longer than the plastic one did.

Although the air movement through the defrost vents is now better, the door does not want to close as far as I think it should. The spring lever at the top of the box (circled in the second picture), appears to be vaccuum controlled. Is this adjustable? If not, it seems OK now - - I just thought I'd ask.

[79Silv4x4]

Originally Posted by Zilverado

Here are "before" and "after" shots of my repair to my heater/vent door control arm (or what ever you'ld call it). The broken plastic piece in the first picture was a discontinued part at the dealer, so I fashioned my own metal replacement. I guarentee you, that metal one will last a whole lot longer than the plastic one did.

Although the air movement through the defrost vents is now better, the door does not want to close as far as I think it should. The spring lever at the top of the box (circled in the second picture), appears to be vaccuum controlled. Is this adjustable? If not, it seems OK now - - I just thought I'd ask.

I can't help ya on the adjustment problem but if you have an extra metal replacement I'd be glad to take it off our hands

[Zilverado]

Originally Posted by 79Silv4x4

I can't help ya on the adjustment problem but if you have an extra metal replacement I'd be glad to take it off our hands

Thanks for the props Buddy. Sorry I didn't make any extra brackets, but it's pretty easy to make. I just used a piece of galvanized strapping - the kind of stuff used as fence post hangers and joist hangers (at your local Home Depot) and cut, bent and drilled it to suit. You'll notice mine has an extra hole in the lower left corner. This is a premade hole in the strap that just happened to be in that location.

So, it's easy to make. Tools I used - - bolt cutters to cut the stuff (you could use a hack saw), bench vice to hold the piece, hammer to bend it, bench grinder (just to make it pretty), and a drill. Actually, I used my tap and die set to tap the hole for the vertical "pin" screw, but this could be done with a simple screw and nut. I was also hoping to use my welder, but there was no need.

Anyway, that's all there's to it.

[cochino12]

Originally Posted by Zilverado

You'll notice mine has an extra hole in the lower left corner. This is a premade hole in the strap that just happened to be in that location.

I was also hoping to use my welder, but there was no need.

Anyway, that's all there's to it.

ha ha I was wondering what that hole was for. I think I need to make a new peice w/metal now too, instead of waiting for it to break in the middle of winter, AGAIN

Originally Posted by Zilverado

I was also hoping to use my welder, but there was no need.