Interior Fan Grill removal

[Rek]

Can anyone help me with how the plastic directional grills are removed from the metal. There is a plastic clip and pushes out but the hinge doesn't come out when lifted. Given this is 50 year old plastic and probably NLA I would rather not attempt too much force.

I am painting the metal section and the directional section has 50 years of dirt on it that is proving stubborn to most substances.

 

[Rek]

Worked it out. They are just very tight.

 

[eriknetherlands]

Indeed, good that you managed. Just for others that stumble upon this thread; they come out sideways. I used 3 needles to pry it put.

edit; triggered by Rek's comment below, i checked my own pictures: Indeed I also inserted a screwdriver from behind, not used any needles (confused it with something else).

Herewith enclosed some pictures from my rebuild:
Part:

first clips, unclip with gentle tap:

stick in a small screwdriver from behind:

detail pic; showing how to push the clip up (and out)

final result:

this allows you to further disassemble and clean.

 

[Rek]

Yes, the outer rings come away from the inner solid piece. Pins will work but I used a small screwdriver from the other side and pushed them out.

 

[Rek]

Now finished

 

[eriknetherlands]

Fresh air again, Nice.
Ready for the q-tip mob!

 

[Rek]

Yes - that has already been done. 50 years of dirt, probably tobacco smoke is very hard to shift.