Crystal Lite Blind Repair

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lrp374
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Crystal Lite Blind Repair

Post by lrp374 »

The broken clips need to be removed before the new clips can be installed. The pieces left on the cable and blind are very tough. I found a pair of wire cutters and a hack saw worked.
Attachments
Blind rod with broken clip
Blind rod with broken clip
100_8070 1a.jpg (370.24 KiB) Viewed 8781 times
Blind rod with clip removed and C spring clip in place
Blind rod with clip removed and C spring clip in place
100_8073 2a.jpg (340.87 KiB) Viewed 8781 times
Broken clip on push rod
Broken clip on push rod
100_8075 3.JPG (406.49 KiB) Viewed 8781 times
Broken clip removed
Broken clip removed
100_8074 4.JPG (289.21 KiB) Viewed 8781 times
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lrp374
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Vehicle: 91 Super Exceed
Location: Kamloops

Crystal Lite Blind Repair

Post by lrp374 »

New Clips

I spent a great deal of time the last 6 to 8 months trying to buy new plastic clips. They are no longer manufactured so are difficult to find. I ordered them twice from suppliers who took my money only to say they are not available and thankfully gave me my money back. Now that I've got the blinds apart I'm not sure that the clip could be installed without some method to remove the compression collar.
Bending the pipe strap to fit in the channel so it will hold the rod takes a little practice. The important points when creating the clip are to have the large hole end up in the center of the channel opening to hold the rod and have it operate without binding. The trimming of the strap to allow it to be bent/pinched around the cable is critical to getting the large hole in the right position. The shape I used is slightly different than Jamie used as the first set I installed let the blind rod pop out. Bending the clip to reduce the distance between each side of the blind seemed to solve the problem. Jamie provided good comments and pictures in his post so it is worth reviewing.
http://www.delica.ca/forum/viewtopic.ph ... ade+repair
Attachments
Test clip
Test clip
100_8076 1.JPG (316.94 KiB) Viewed 8780 times
More practice test clips
More practice test clips
100_8077 2.JPG (441.71 KiB) Viewed 8780 times
Final clip rear
Final clip rear
100_8081 3.JPG (309.67 KiB) Viewed 8780 times
Final clip front
Final clip front
100_8082 4.JPG (385.99 KiB) Viewed 8780 times
takeuchi
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Crystal Lite Blind Repair

Post by takeuchi »

I have a front left (rear clip) broken clip. How much will I have to remove just to get at that one spot?

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lrp374
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Crystal Lite Blind Repair

Post by lrp374 »

That is the blind I needed to repair. I don't think it will make much difference that the one end is still good. In order to repair the blind you will need to remove the blind stops, likely for both ends. This is necessary to get @ the cable and rod to remove the plastic and install the new clip. In order to remove the stops you will need to remove the bolt that supports the blind track. To get @ these blind stops and track support I think you would need to:

remove curtains and associated trim
remove the center trim around the light
remove the trim panels around the light on the PS
remove all the channel trim associated with the area you're working in
loosen or better remove the entire front ceiling panel

I think this would be the minimum to gain access to remove the blind track supports and remove the blind stops. This should allow the cable to be run out the end of the track far enough to get access to remove the plastic and install your new clip. If you need to remove the blind mechanism then the light will need to be removed. If this is the case the entire roof system needs to be removed which means the curtains etc. on the DS of the van. It's not hard just time consuming.

Hopefully this makes sense. If not let me know and I'll try to improve my explanation. In any case be prepared to remove the entire roof once you get started. The bonus of that is it's easier to do a through roof rust check!! Good luck.

Larry
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lrp374
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Crystal Lite Blind Repair

Post by lrp374 »

I used a test 'bench' to operate the blind and test the clips. I found it valuable to make sure they don't bind. To bend the clips I tried needle nose pliers, pliers, vise grips and a vise. All I can say about the process is be patient and beware of metal fatigue. The 12V fused supply was very handy as several of the clips got wedged in the channel and blew the 5A fuse.
Attachments
Test ' Bench '
Test ' Bench '
100_8083 1.JPG (481.65 KiB) Viewed 8773 times
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lrp374
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Crystal Lite Blind Repair

Post by lrp374 »

Install:
The install is basically a reversal of the removal. However, when removing the ceiling you have a choice. When installing it back in you must install some items first to be sure the overlaps are correct. Since I took things apart trying to only take out what was necessary my install order is different.
Below is my install order which seemed to work if you've taken out the entire roof system.

1.All the ducts.
2.Center florescent light.
3.Front roof panel including the sun roof back the the door pillars and seatbelts.
4.Rear roof panel including speakers, rear light, CL controls
5.Trim for the roof between the CL panels.
6.Side panels and curtains.
7.Florescent light trim.
Below are a few random pictures of the install which may be of some benefit.
Attachments
Center area after florescent light removed
Center area after florescent light removed
100_8047a.JPG (398.49 KiB) Viewed 8773 times
Rear panel area
Rear panel area
100_8049a 1.jpg (469.41 KiB) Viewed 8773 times
Front blind area
Front blind area
100_8050a.JPG (490 KiB) Viewed 8773 times
Front area one duct removed
Front area one duct removed
100_8051a.JPG (454.48 KiB) Viewed 8773 times
Drilled screws from florescent light support
Drilled screws from florescent light support
100_8053a 3.jpg (675.54 KiB) Viewed 8773 times
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lrp374
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Vehicle: 91 Super Exceed
Location: Kamloops

Crystal Lite Blind Repair

Post by lrp374 »

Remainder of pictures for install. Good luck and be patient for those who do this repair!!
Attachments
Rear panel @ center light
Rear panel @ center light
100_8092a 4.jpg (350.3 KiB) Viewed 8773 times
Front area - center light
Front area - center light
100_8093a.JPG (332.6 KiB) Viewed 8773 times
Trim between CL glass
Trim between CL glass
100_8094a 5.jpg (339.05 KiB) Viewed 8773 times
Rear window curtain trim
Rear window curtain trim
100_8100a.JPG (347.92 KiB) Viewed 8773 times
Front window curtain trim
Front window curtain trim
100_8101a.JPG (351.88 KiB) Viewed 8773 times
OMO
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Vehicle: 1991 L300 P35W
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Crystal Lite Blind Repair

Post by OMO »

Hi - I have a 1991 L300 P35W with Crystal Lite roof, with a curtain in need of repair. I've located the replacement mechanism on-line, but the motor looks a little different --- mine has more plastic, this one is more metal looking. Can anyone offer any guidance or advice as to whether or not this mechanism will fit, and what the differences are, etc. For example, was this a re-design to make it more durable, etc?
Thanks!

Mine looks like these:
http://thedelicapage.blogspot.com/2007/ ... tions.html
http://bp2.blogger.com/_miAPLExhPeo/Rnd ... 1600/3.JPG

Potential replacement looks like this:
http://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/jYMAAOSw~ ... -l1600.jpg
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