What sadist at Behr designed that a/c console?!

[thehackmechanic]

Just finally finished the reinstallation of the Behr a/c console around the evaporator assembly. Holy hand grenade, what a pain in the ass. 40-year-old plastic designed to crack when muscled back into the position the mechanic at the dealership slammed it into in 1972, which must be accomplished with 8mm bolt heads you can't reach unless you have the fingers of ET.

Heater box and evap assembly were rebuilt first. Then leak-tested the system for three days with nitrogen before I was ready to button it up, as I hope it's another 40 years before someone has to go in there again.

Note to all who come after me: The ears for the faceplate go below the dashboard, and the ears for the evap assembly go below that. Try it the other way and it fits but the louvers in the evap assembly won't rotate.

Beer.

[bnam]

There's also a tiny plastic wedge shaped shim that goes between the console and dash through which that 8mm bolt passes. Cracks more easily if those shims are not there.

Byas

[Collinster742002]

I know what you mean! I got the Behr going again in my car after rebuilding the fan motor, and that doggone faceplate broke at the 2 mounting tabs at the top. You just can't win with automotive plastics!

[mac]

The same guy who drew up the A/C console had the assignment to draw up the heater box & controls. (he didn't have to install nor repair 'em)

He must be a real Behr!

mac.

[jgerock]

C'mon guys. It's not that bad if the pieces haven't baked outside for years. I've pulled my Behr A/C console twice - both times moved into the pass. footwell without opening the lines. First time to clean the dusty vents, then another time to pull the heater box and install a better faceplate.

It takes a little practice...

[lilmo]

Drove my tii in Central Texas for 15 years, 10 of those as a daily, with no AC. Some folks would complain if you hung them with a brand new rope . . . . . .

[bluedevils]

I just happen to have a mint Behr face, just saying. It won't be cheap.

[bnam]

I agree with Jim -- i have no hesitation now in removing the console.

[TobyB]

I'm not sure you can actually use the modern word 'design'

with things like this-

it's more of a 'Ah, that's close enough, it's time for more beer.

Who needs air conditioning in these little things, anyway?'

sort of affair.

Kind of like Ford bolts that have studs welded to their heads so that

they can be 'double ended' fasteners'

t