How to clean side Vents..

[spyder803]

Originally Posted by GT_YellowJacket

I hate to continue the minor thread-jack, but the '03 is different than the older models. The side vent is one piece.

For the '03 model:

1. Remove screw
2. From the lower front corner of the exterior of the vent, press up and toward rear of car while pulling out. This will unseat the one clip built into this part.
3. *Carefully* remove the black plastic part now in front of you. This flimsy molded part costs $70 to replace! Pull toward you on the interference fit retention clips in this order...Bottom, side, and then top. The top has to be slightly turned after removing the others to get it out.
4. Once you have that out, remove the one screw you see immediately in front of you.
5. Remove the flexible plastic screen retained by the screw you just removed.
6. Remove that damn snorkel. Trick is to pry it toward the rear of the car to unseat the snaps and then pull outward. You'll feel like you are pulling hard enough to break something.
7. Reverse everything in steps 5-1 and you're done.

This is all from memory, so anyone with and '03 or '04 please chime in if I missed anything.

Thanks, I was able to get it off following your advice.