Calling HVAC experts .....

[K5_Fla]

84 K5 Blazer -

What is this plastic piece for in front of the air box? My issue is when I turn on the air it comes out everywhere… putting the setting on the defrost, floor, etc…. still come out everywhere.

It looks like this plastic piece was broke off …. there should be more parts?

 

[K5_Fla]

 

[driney]

Mine broke exactly the same way. I didn't take any pics but I used a couple of small angle pieces to reinforce the old one after I glued it. I didn't look very hard but I couldn't find that part new.

 

[K5_Fla]

I found the part at classic parts - my question is - how in the hell can get the old one out ... the little nail screw like thing holding it in place seems impossible to remove... I have been trying. I guess cut it out ?

 

[Fordum]

Well, a couple of ways come to mind. From what I can see, the only plastic there is the yellow part.
The pin and arm are metal.
Take something and heat the pin until the plastic turns loose.

Or, if you have a whole new plastic piece, just crush that one with a pair of vice grips.

Failing all that, find a nut big enough to fit over the head so it does not hit the threads and the nut is thicker than the head.

Take a clamp or vice grips and put one jaw on the nut and the other on the end of the pin and squeeze.

As the pin rises up, keep adding nuts until its flush with the bottom, at which point you should be able to pull it the rest of the way with the vice-grips.

 

[Can Can]

Man...........it's been a long time, but I think I drilled out the factory unit and replaced it with a machine screw and lock nut........

Or did I simply brace the old piece with some banding screwed into place???

Sorry, I honestly can't remember, as I performed repairs on a few rigs with the same problem all those years ago.

Good luck, brother. And good pics, BTW!!!!

 

[Fordum]

Also, its hard to tell from the pics, but does it have really coarse threads?

If so, try grabbing it on the bottom with vice grips and see if it will start to unscrew. If so, grab the top as soon as it gets high enough and finish removing it.

 

[K5_Fla]

I'm going to try this now.... Great tip..im sure it will work

"""""""Failing all that, find a nut big enough to fit over the head so it does not hit the threads and the nut is thicker than the head.

Take a clamp or vice grips and put one jaw on the nut and the other on the end of the pin and squeeze. """"""""""""

 

[K5_Fla]

THANKS FORDUM - it took 3 seconds to get out using the nut on top and channel locks.... great tip

 

[Fordum]

Cool, sometimes there is just no substitute for big nuts........

 

[K5_Fla]

lol .... I heard that!

 

[K5_Fla]

ok.. I got the new plastic piece…. installed and everything works like a charm. My defrost can almost blow the windshield off now! It’s great… all controls works as they should.

While I was in there…. I also did a bunch of “housekeeping”….. tape up all the vents and around the box. In the areas that could be seen with the eye… I used black silicone around the seams. good and air tight now.

I had to get a pack of 5 of the plastic clips - I’m going to keep a few spares , but will sell 2 of them. If need one… send me a PM with your address.

 

[496truck]

BINGO!!! The search function does actually work for any newbs lookin for info...

This little plastic clip is broken on mine too. I temporarily rigged the door closed with a piece of aluminum sheet bent to fit behind the door and in front of the box and held in place with a self tapper. But now I have defrost only which is fine but I'd like it to work properly. I need to get one of these clips.

Got any left? I'm gonna send you a PM...

 

[Blue85]

While epoxying the plastic piece back together, I wrapped it with a little piece of stainless band. It tucks under the metal door at one end and under the screw at the other, passing over the plastic piece in an arc. The plastic, door and the strap are all epoxied together. It's been at least 4 years with no problems.

I just felt like getting the whole thing done same day.

 

[496truck]

Yeah, I was thinking it wouldn't be hard to bend up a piece of steel into a U shape, drill a hole for the link pin, and just tack weld the new piece to the door.

Gonna check with my local Chevy dealer first, see if the clip is still available, and go from there. K5-fla didn't have any left and I don't feel like buying a pack of 5 from whatever source he got them from.

 

[British Slave]

You can buy one at a time from Classic.