2008 Saturn Astra Front left air vent replacement

Tiny
TOSKANIN
  • MEMBER
  • 2008 SATURN ASTRA
  • 65,000 MILES
Hi. Do you know how to replace the front left air vent (next to the driver on the left)? I've checked online factory repair manuals for my 2008 Saturn Astra, but for some obscure reason they only show how to replace the air ven on the right (passenger side). I can't seem to find this information anywhere. Can you please help me?
Tuesday, September 17th, 2013 AT 11:42 AM

7 Replies

Tiny
SATURNTECH9
  • MECHANIC
  • 30,869 POSTS
Can you post a pic of the front of the even in the car and the side area of the dash facing the door?Also do you have the new vent yet?If so can you post pics of that also.
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Friday, September 20th, 2013 AT 8:42 AM
Tiny
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Yes, I have the new part. The part number is 13228919. Below you'll find the pictures. Please let me know how to proceed. Thanks.
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Friday, September 20th, 2013 AT 1:34 PM
Tiny
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You those two tabs on the new vent the sliver ones looks like that's what holds it in.I have not honestly ever replaced one of those vent or have done much work on those cars. They replaced the ion model and our dealer didn't sell many so not many to work on coming back into fix.I haven't even seen many driving around. So does right side say it just pops out?Does the right side look the same from outside installed as the left?
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Friday, September 20th, 2013 AT 2:05 PM
Tiny
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Yes, the left vent looks exactly the same as the right vent when installed. On the right side, it says you're supposed to remove the instrument panel first using a plastic wedge. I'm not sure why they only mention they right side and not the left.
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Friday, September 20th, 2013 AT 2:53 PM
Tiny
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So the dash top removal to replace the right side? If so that would make sense to be able to release those locking tabs. So that dash top is all one piece that runs all the way across the dash to the left vent?
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Friday, September 20th, 2013 AT 3:16 PM
Tiny
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I did it! I ended up taking off the headlamp/foglamp switch (right below the vent) first. This gave me more freedom to work. Then I used a plastic wedge and I carefully popped out the vent. The four silver tabs just go into their respective holes inside the dash. Once the old vent is out, you just push in the new one and it pops right into place. Overall, it was much easier than I originally thought, but with this car you never know. Some things are super easy, others basically require you to take half the car apart (for example, the cabin air filter found on the passenger's side)! Thanks for your willingness to help, I really do appreciate it.
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Friday, September 20th, 2013 AT 8:57 PM
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
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Your welcome I was worried those tabs would give you a issue if you used a plastic tool to just pry it out.
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Friday, September 20th, 2013 AT 9:26 PM

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