Seized vent flap

What a task to get the pins out without damaging anything.
The N/S vent responded to releasing fluid and some repeated opening and closing to free it off.

But the O/S what a task that was. Eventually l had to remove the metal bracket that supports the screen, and then tap a screwdriver along the rolled edge to open it out a bit. And even then it only came out after removing the actuating lever so the vent flap could be opened right up, and repeatedly spraying with WD-40 followed by tapping the end of the pin with a hammer to free it off.
The rolled edge bracket on the vent had been bent by someone forcing it open when it was seized, so having finally removed the flap l had to fix that before it could go back on.
Doing that bent the aluminium vent so l then had to carefully straighten that out.
Then the bracket on the screen frame needed closing up with pliers.
Fortunately l had a pair of good used pins.
And l thought it would be done in half an hour.
But l got away with just a bit of lost paint on the bracket, so a good result in the end.
I guess these vents get forgotten about, some people never use them.
A drop of oil every so often will prevent them seizing up

Or give it a whack wif 'ammer.

I tried that, but it bent the end of the pin and then it wouldn’t come out even when it was freed off.
I had to bend it straight which was really difficult to do without damaging the paint on the scuttle panel.

When I did mine I replaced the pins with the stainless versions of the later "bolt" pins as had similar issues removing the old split pin!

Good idea
I’ve ordered some.

lightning said:

Good idea
I’ve ordered some.

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I havent had to remove them again yet, but the ones in the series have been in nearly 5 years and still look new. They were also liberally greased when fitted.