Trying to add rear AC mod fail!

[mek]

Well tried to tackle the rear ac mod and i dont how anybody can get the new rear panel to snap into place so easily?? Ive watch the YouTube video and theres no way in hell it just goes right in. Ive trimmed all the tabs but the issue is the tube hitting the arm rest spring bracket from inside! And to top it off i broke a tab on the new panel!! Argh nothing but issues.

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[mugendc4]

I'm assuming you bought the mikstore rear ac kit. It won't see flush regardless how much you trim. I've contacted them about it and it seems a lot of people have the same issue.

 

[mek]

I'm assuming you bought the mikstore rear ac kit. It won't see flush regardless how much you trim. I've contacted them about it and it seems a lot of people have the same issue.

Yeah its the Mikstore. Im not too worried about it sitting flushed. I just cant get the whole piece to even go in and stay put. Its like theres something pushing the vent hose, im guessing its the spring bracket. Im going to see if i can maybe flatten the tube with a heat gun and grind the tabs down a little more.

 

[mugendc4]

The bracket shouldn't get in the way unless you didnt put it back in correctly. I would double check if the vent hose are lining up correctly

 

[ModJPB]

I did the Mikstore rear center vent mod too and had the same exact issues. Watched the videos which helped get me started but it was still a huge pain. I had to trim A LOT off the tabs and make the edges thinner. The vent tube hits the armrest spring bracket not allowing trim to be pushed in. AND because I had to refit it constantly, the top left tab eventually broke off.

For clearance of the vent tube and armrest spring bracket, I tried...
-leaving the bottom screws out, but the armrest was sloppy
-bent the bracket to be more flush, still wasnt enough clearance.
- used a Dremel and cut about a 1/4“ of plastic so the bottom screws will pull the bracket further in, still wasn't enough.
- used a heat gun to reshaped the vent tube, wouldnt seal around air vent and restricted flow.

I eventually was so upset I went ape with the Dremel and removed a tremendous amount of plastic for clearance. It's now in, but the armrest feels a little loose and the vent trim is still hitting the bracket which makes is stick out slightly. It works and looks fine from a distance but there is still a small gap on the upper left.

Only thing I can tell you is, however much plastic you THINK you need to grind off the center armrest console, GRIND EVEN MORE!!!

 

[mek]

I did the Mikstore rear center vent mod too and had the same exact issues. Watched the videos which helped get me started but it was still a huge pain. I had to trim A LOT off the tabs and make the edges thinner. The vent tube hits the armrest spring bracket not allowing trim to be pushed in. AND because I had to refit it constantly, the top left tab eventually broke off.

For clearance of the vent tube and armrest spring bracket, I tried...
-leaving the bottom screws out, but the armrest was sloppy
-bent the bracket to be more flush, still wasnt enough clearance.
- used a Dremel and cut about a 1/4“ of plastic so the bottom screws will pull the bracket further in, still wasn't enough.
- used a heat gun to reshaped the vent tube, wouldnt seal around air vent and restricted flow.

I eventually was so upset I went ape with the Dremel and removed a tremendous amount of plastic for clearance. It's now in, but the armrest feels a little loose and the vent trim is still hitting the bracket which makes is stick out slightly. It works and looks fine from a distance but there is still a small gap on the upper left.

Only thing I can tell you is, however much plastic you THINK you need to grind off the center armrest console, GRIND EVEN MORE!!!

Same exact issue I had! With the top tab broken how did you manage to make every still (kinda) fit right?

When you said you had to trim 1/4 of the plastic, which piece are you referring to?

Thanks by the way this helped a lot! I guess I wasnt the only one.

 

[ModJPB]

I ground/cut about 1/4" (I'm guessing, I didn't actually measure.) of depth of plastic where the armrest bracket screws in. Do the bottom screws mount area first because it'll shift the armrest backwards and the armrest won't latch. Once you find the amount that gives enough clearance for the vent tube you can then grind/cut the plastic where the upper screws go in to shift the armrest forward again until it latches again.

 

[mek]

Those metal brackets are tough to bend! I tried to put on the 2 screws from on the bottom but theyre jusy not long enough.

 

[mugendc4]

are you using the DE5 bracket or FL5? When I did this mod, I swapped and purchased all FL5 parts including the FL5 bracket/armrest. The DE5 brackets notches don't quite fit too well in the FL5 center console, possibly the reason why you have to modify more.

 

[mek]

are you using the DE5 bracket or FL5? When I did this mod, I swapped and purchased all FL5 parts including the FL5 bracket/armrest. The DE5 brackets notches don't quite fit too well in the FL5 center console, possibly the reason why you have to modify more.

I was thinking about doing that. Do you know the part number?

 

[mugendc4]

I was thinking about doing that. Do you know the part number?

83405-T60-A21ZA. It's a bit pricey since it comes with the armrest and bracket.. Unfortunately you can't buy them separately. If you like alcantara, it's a good option or you can just sell it which I did.

 

[mek]

83405-T60-A21ZA. It's a bit pricey since it comes with the armrest and bracket.. Unfortunately you can't buy them separately. If you like alcantara, it's a good option or you can just sell it which I did.

And that would solve the gap issue? Which site did you order from?

 

[mugendc4]

And that would solve the gap issue? Which site did you order from?

I bought it from here https://www.alldiscountparts.com/
I'll email them first just in case since their online doesn't reflect their inventory. It won't solve the gap issue since you bought the mikstore kit but it may fix the issue with the bracket concern.

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