How to reinstall the cowling vent panel?

[spoilsport]

Is there a trick to getting the vent panel back on? I got the right side on by pushing hard but the left side is being stubborn. I'm afraid if I use the wrong technique I'll break the plastic bar that goes into the metal clip.

 

[BkrK12]

I have successfully used the blade of a big flat screwdriver right agains the plastic bar. That way you are only pressuring the bar against the clip and not stressing any of the surrounding plastic. Resist the urge to pry the clip open. Those wings have been, very occasionally, reported to come flying off at high speed. Good Luck.

 

[spoilsport]

I have successfully used the blade of a big flat screwdriver right agains the plastic bar. That way you are only pressuring the bar against the clip and not stressing any of the surrounding plastic. Resist the urge to pry the clip open. Those wings have been, very occasionally, reported to come flying off at high speed. Good Luck.

Yes, I can see why they might come flying off. I almost convinced myself it was clipped in, when it was not.

 

[joebiodiesel]

I have successfully used the blade of a big flat screwdriver right agains the plastic bar. That way you are only pressuring the bar against the clip and not stressing any of the surrounding plastic. Resist the urge to pry the clip open. Those wings have been, very occasionally, reported to come flying off at high speed. Good Luck.

Yes, I can see why they might come flying off. I almost convinced myself it was clipped in, when it was not.

I had one fly off last week while traveling at high speed. I bet I had not reinstalled it properly, and that's why it came off. I got it to go back on by striking it with my hand, near both of the clips. A sharp, firm hit popped them both back into place.

Joe

 

[escapefjrtist]

The plastic bar is also half-round. At the proper angle, they will be easier to snap back into the clip. Once you install them a couple times it does get better.

Good luck.

--G

 

[spoilsport]

The plastic bar is also half-round. At the proper angle, they will be easier to snap back into the clip. Once you install them a couple times it does get better.

Good luck.

--G

Got it back in pushing down on the clip with a screw driver. It took about twenty tries. Not exactly elegant. :dntknw:

 

[spoilsport]

The plastic bar is also half-round. At the proper angle, they will be easier to snap back into the clip. Once you install them a couple times it does get better.

Good luck.

--G

The sharp hit method didn't work for me. I think it would work well if there was firm support behind the clip, but there's not(and I couldn't readily figure out how to provide it) . It's mushy and most of the force of a hit just bends plastic.

 

[Greb]

I've had mine off and on numerous times. Place the panel in the closed position and squeeze the two panels together at the location of the clip till it snaps into place.

 

[spoilsport]

I've had mine off and on numerous times. Place the panel in the closed position and squeeze the two panels together at the location of the clip till it snaps into place.

Thanks! That's the tip I needed. Much appreciated.

 

[Harald]

Another option is to never take those panels off. You'll just need to leave the long shaft T handle allen wrenches in the toolbox and just use shorty sockets or L wrenches. I've had all the plastic off my FJR numerous times and have never taken them off and don't plan on in the future (especially with all the reports of them flying off at high speeds).

 

[spoilsport]

Another option is to never take those panels off. You'll just need to leave the long shaft T handle allen wrenches in the toolbox and just use shorty sockets or L wrenches. I've had all the plastic off my FJR numerous times and have never taken them off and don't plan on in the future (especially with all the reports of them flying off at high speeds).

Excellent suggestion. I was using a T handle, but I have a short little socket wrench that should work find to get the panels off without removing the wings.