Despite the video showing the vent for 06-08, the 09+ vent comes off the same way.

Jeff

 

No it won't? Have you done it?
First try before you write.

Very difficult and the video is no good for 2009 and up.

 

Yes I have done it. Yes, it is the same procedure.

Jeff

 

More then 30 people has PM for help on this.
You are lucky.....

 

iirc, there is a special tool you can buy from home depot. not a specific lexus tool but a particular curved pointy screwdriver that should help greatly.

 

what do u use that tool for
??

 

pick your nose with it...LoL... nah its so you can hook onto the vent to pull it out easier

 

I've been playing around for hours with my 09 IS, I cannot get the tab/clip to go down, it keep snap back to its original position, which is much higher than the youtube video suggests, my screwdriver had to be almost vertical to reach it, anyone have some idea how to make it work?

 

If anyone actually succeeds in getting the center vent off, can you take a picture of what you can see/access behind it? (or if this type of picture exists, can you link to it?)

I ask because I'm considering doing this to address the dash rattle - I'm not looking to take out the whole dash pad - and seeing a picture of what I could actually access if I removed the vents would tell me whether or not it's even worth trying.

Thanks a lot!

 

I took my car in for dash rattle and the tech called me into the bay to show me where he was putting the foam. The entire console was removed including the shift area etc. I asked him why and he said that there were 2 screws under the area where the coin holder is and to access them he had to remove the center console.

So maybe instead of prying from the top, possibly damaging your dash, make the job a little bigger (ppl have posted how to remove console for CF wrapping etc) and remove the center console to get to those 2 screws. That way the whole assembly can be removed from the bottom.

I didn't take any pics of the work he was doing, was kinda shocked actually, at all the pieces of my baby lying on the floor.

my dash still rattles btw...

 

I had a hell of a time getting the center vent out in my 06 a couple weeks ago, whoever designed the tab system should be shot. I had to eventually get someone to help me while i pushed one of the clips that wouldnt stay down he pulled outward on the vents. Then once i finally got the damn nav unit out the vents kept falling apart, i was pretty sure i was gonna just have to buy all new vents, but somehow i got them back together and they work fine.

 

A couple of free paint can openers from Home Depot or Lowe's will help. They look like a cheap beer bottle opener on one end and have a broad hook on the other. They are given away free is you buy paint or prob if you ask for a couple. Push the clips down, then hook the opener/openers hooked end just in front of the clip and pull. No scratches no damage. The open end is even handy for slipping a finger in for pulling.

 

I couldn't get the tabs to stay down on my '06. I'd get one to stick but then jostling the assembly trying to get another one down caused the first one to pop back up. So i stuck a small screwdriver into each one (4 total) and wedged it in there so the tabs would stay down. Then I was able to pry the vent out. It was a major PITA. It would definitely be easier with another set of hands.

 

I'm in the process of swapping out my dash LEDs. I thought the center vent was super easy but it really wasn't. The tabs kept going back into place so I freaking got mad and jammed four flatheads to push the tabs up. Then, I stuck in a flathead from the side and pried it out. If anyone does it this way, the careful. Because if you aren't, the vent may crack.

 

It's very easy to do. Don't worry about the dash pad. It's like form cover in rubber. I took it out on many customer's car. The trick is not to damage the taps. Then they will stay down. Pry on the taps have little teeth on it. If you already pry on the other taps. Then 4 pocket screwdriver with a trim hook is the best way. But, make a trim hook from cloths hanger. You want that little hook grab the very back of the vent(about 5" deep). Not on the face pice. Then they all come out together.