is it just me? my vent controls are getting harde and harder to move .... i dont event move them any more im scared im going to break them.

has anyone else had this? any known fixes? what the heck causes it?

 

Common issue do a search for HAVC controls, Blend door kit, etc...Im on my phone so a bit of a pita to link threads for you. Yes you can get a kit from Mitsubishi to fix the issue

 

cool thanks ill look it up

 

if your talking about the temp control knobs then yes its a known problem. the mixer/blender box overtime gets gunked up and eventually either stops moving, and or you break the temp knob which requires replacing the whole control unit since this knob is made into it or not sold individually. the only knob you can buy independent is the fan control knob.

the reason the gears get gunked up is due to the earlier evos and lancer models not having a cabin filter. if you take out your glove box and look at the ducting you will see an indent in a rectangle shape this is where the cabin filter goes in the evo 9s. the evo 9's also have a revised set of gears for the mixer box to help with the problem as well.

if its getting hard to turn any of the knobs i do suggest this. look for the hvac how tos on the cabin filter and im sure you willl find the others. i suggest not moving the temp knobs or position knobs until you fix the problem. you will need to buy a cabin filter first, cut out the rectangle, and install it to prevent this from happening again.

you should also go ahead and buy the revised gears and new linkage for the knobs and install them as well according to the how to. this is also only a preventative measure.

if you caught the problem early enough like i did you are lucky. you can get under the dash after doing the above and look from the driver side right beside the gas pedal and up some you will see the white mixer box with gears. using your hands with some force depending on how bad it is slide them manualy back and forth. mine freed up alot after doing this a few times but you will still need the new gears to help. if the mixer box is completely stuck or binded to the point where the gears will not move you are screwed my friend. at the dealer it will cost you around 1300 dollars to fix this problem since the mixer will have to be replaced and well the dash and all has to come out for that.

if i find the links i will post them for you. hope i helped

 

here ya go everything you need to know

https://www.evolutionm.net/forums/ev...ega-guide.html

 

late model 8's have the newer set of gears as i checked a few days ago in my car.

 

it says DRIVES 03 Evo VIII so his doesnt have the gears nor a cabin filter which the late model 8's "MAY" have that im not sure about.

 

ment to quote your second paragraph, guess my phone derped out. From what i know wasent their a recall for this in 04?

 

dam it seems like alot of work.... oh well here goes nothing... whats the worst that can happen right

 

as far as i know there was never a recall just a technical bulletin or whatever its called and they simply resolved the issue in later models and gave us with the earlier models the shaft with no lube. kinda like the whole brembo fading ordeal aka pink brembo's. it never was that big of a problem as they saw it since 90% of the time if caught soon enough the cabin filter and revised gears fixed the problem.

EVOocho dont let that thread scare you. the only major part of the situation is "IF" you have to replace the mixer box. WHATEVER you do do not force the knobs and break them or you will be searching for the entire unit like i said.

mitsubishiparts.net sells the revised gears and linkage for under $100. i think i got it for like $80 or something like that. the cabin filter which the part # is in that link can be picked up at any parts store for like $10 and takes ten minutes to install. it says to cut the rectangle out but all i did is used a razor to score the plastic and took a screw driver and tapped it to break it loose using the handle part. the plastic is thin so it didnt take much force and broke right along the line. the gears arent hard to install either. the only thinkg that sucked was the way you must position yourself depending on how big you are under the dash. laying on your back for extended periods of time with the kick panel in the middle of your back isnt comfy.

 

cool now i just need some time to do it..... thanks for the encouragment

 

When I got the revised gears (levers) they were $15. That was a few years ago. Maybe $20 now. I never did the filter or door, the levers were all I needed. The filter is for when you park outside and leaves and dirt fall in. My car is always garaged.

I bought the blend door, still have it in the box in my garage. So if I need it, it is there. Still, pulling the dash is a whole lot of work.

 

how long would you say it took to change the gears?

 

I replaced the gears over my thanksgiving break, it honestly took about 10 minutes.
Just make you've got a good pair of needle-nose pliers. After you get the wire disconnected from the gear you're gonna have to pull it out of a snap in support, I know you don't want to break anything but you are gonna have to pull on it pretty hard to get it out.