Figured this has to be sort of a common issue! Works on the HHR so should work on other model cars as well if the vent are similar to ours
This is how I changed the louver only on the dash vent WITH OUT REMOVING the dash !
. I did this on the one I got from Dave so when it warms I'll do it on my HHR,
Pretty simple just use a tiny screw driver or plastic tool.
Twist the screwdriver slow and the plastic vent will bend enough to pop out the louver pivot pin !
I started on the lower pin, then next,
Move the louver around slowly and you can pop out the other side .
When you reinstall the louver start with the lower pivot hole

 

Great tip, these are getting on and those pins get sloppy, resulting in closed vents or rattling vents.

 

Steve yea I figured the vent could be a issue
for others..
! In my case I believe my daughter put her foot on the dash :) and broke the plastic pin.
I also am no mechanic as you know so simple is better for me lol
Figured others would like a easy way to replace a louver !
Hope it helps someone

 

Warmed up today to 45* so did the swap out today :)
The old swivel pin from the old louver was stuck in the hole, so getting that out was easy with needle nose pliers !
There is enough flex from the mounting panels and the louver to make this pretty easy
Went pretty smooth ,so no dash removal make me real happy lol
Hope this helps someone

 

I fixed your spelling of the word louver.

Great information this will save hours of work replacing the dash vents

 

I am curious has anyone else tried this ? I have 2 more coming fro Dave, for back up on my LT1 and Son;s LT2 for that Oh Crap moment lol

 

Thanks for posting this but I am confused. You said:
"This is how I changed the louver only on the dash vent WITH OUT REMOVING the dash."

I've got a 2006 and out of the four vents in the dash three of 'em had broken louvers. When I popped out the center console one - the one above the shifter - there was a piece of plastic broken that holds the screws for one of the vents - there is a junk yard down the street that has a 2006 with the identical interior to mine and no broken louvers so I'm gonna blow 20 bucks or something and just buy the whole piece.

What I don't understand: Are you saying you replaced the louvers closest to the doors...and attached the mechanism that makes 'em work together? I don't see how this could be done without getting behind these things because there is a connector that connects both louvers so they move together. I already played around with one that was not broken from that center console - you're right: it was easy to pry the thing out. But if you're talking about working from the front, on the ones closest to the doors, how would you hook the two together with that arm? It seems impossible to do without getting at the backs of those things. I will attach a pic with the connector that I am talking about. If I could get two out, still connected with this piece, that would work I guess. Thanks.

 

I just removed the louvers only !
I did not remove the dash like you did !
The complete Louver in my picture was one I picked up from junk yard as a practice piece
Maybe your 2006 is different them my 2011 ?

 

Well it was a good tip, anyway. At least I can replace some missing louvers. Thanks for explaining.

 

With great care I pulled one from the boneyard, only to get home and discover that it was already broken before I pulled it. Will be going back for another try. Will try to get more than one next time.

I suggest a warm day, a very small flat screwdriver with the sharp edges polished off a bit, a small needle-nose pliers, and a lot of patience.