76 Deville , how to remove dashboard vents grills

[Jim007]

Inquiring about how to remove the dashboard vent grills in a 76 Deville. I've seen older posts, can anyone recommend or advise how to remove these vents? I am trying to replace my passenger side view mirror & the shop manual says the upper dashboard has to be removed to access the mirror control cable mechanism. It recommends a tool that is no longer available. Thanks.

["Cadillac Kid" Greg Surfas 15364]

You CAN use two small flat bladed screwdrivers, OR two needle nosed pliers to simultaneously pull the two pins in to remove the grill, OR use the tool as shown in the FSM. I've done both ways, and the tool is by far the best. Using the former method cost me several broken grills, so about 30 years ago I bought the tool and it is now "child's play"
Greg Surfas

[_Cap_]

For now ive been just using my fingers, but I think I am going to see about printing me one of those tools that greg mentioned. Its a very simple thing to make, but hard to find out in the wild

[Big Fins]

I made a set using a picture that Greg posted. I use a set of BBQ tongs and bent them to shape, then used a bench grinder to get the correct width. After nothing the center of the ends, they slide right over the tabs to remove the vents without breakage.