How to fix ducted heating ceiling vent?

[J-P]

The heating vent all of a sudden decided to fall off today. It is clinging on with just one clip. I am unable to figure out how to unclip the one that is holding and search for any missing peices on the other two clips.

how do I go about fixing this? I thought of putting some liquid nail but then realized it would be a big job when replacing. Would screwing work? Or how do I buy clips and put it back?

 

[Dave-1]

Evening @michelle0911 

Now thats an interesting problem.

My first solution was pretty much the same as @EricL 's suggestion

I have two more  

Second Option

Can your hands touch all three prongs at once? If they can then leave the prongs all the way up verticle wise, then slide the whole unit up into the hole. Once the prongs are past the plaster you can realease and push upwards. I am hoping that they will come down and hold the duct in place.

Third Option

Tie a piece of smooth string around the three prongs while they are in the up position, the knot make it like you would for your shoes. Push the duct up gently and then once its almost in place pull one of the bows strings and volia (I so hope that works as it would be a great outcome and sound effect!)

Fourth option.

A bit of @EricL 's and a bit of the second option. So we focas on the two rear facing prongs on the duct, Holding the prongs up with your fingertips and ignoring the third prong (its looking at you) Push the duct up at a tilted angle so the prongs you are holding vertical with your finger tips slide past the plaster. Once they have gone past the plaster and with the duct still at an angle, use a flat blade screwdriver to lever the third prong vertical and then gently push the unit up. Slide the screwdrive out as the prong goes past the plaster ceiling. This option I think is the hardest.

Just found this video, it really dosnt show too much but at the 26second mark the prongs look like yours, it appears that he stands them all up and when the unit is pushed up the pressure then snaps them like a mousetrap so they prongs come down on the ceiling.
Ceiling Vent Installation 

Can you stand all the prongs up without them snapping down before you put the vent in place?

Dave

[michelle0911]

Thank you Eric, Nailbag and Dave for taking the time to reply.   Clearly the geniuses who designed these ducts didn’t put any effort into making the process of installing the, straightforward or easy LOL!   Anyway, I will try all the suggestions and let you know how I go.  Thanks again Michelle

[michelle0911]

Thanks guys,  after a bit of cursing, I finally got there with the flat screwdriver method 😀

[Dave-1]

Evening @michelle0911 

"Cheering"

Dave

[EricL]

Hi @michelle0911 

Thank you very much for the update, it's good to hear that the flathead screwdriver method worked!

If you need further assistance, please let us know.

Eric