This bolt is too loose!!!
Discussion
I decided to check the cabin (pollen) filter in my F30 yesterday. First step is to remove two bolts with 10mm heads from below the glovebox. The first bolt was stiff but I got it out. The second bolt screwed out about half way and then became very loose. I can turn it but it will not come out or go back in. I think the problem is that a captive nut has come loose.
I have managed to pull down the plastic trim very slightly so I can just reach my fingers to where I think the captive nut is. However I can not hold the nut no matter what I try. I have also tried to remove the glovebox by taking out four screws from the top of the box but this did not work either.
Has anyone got any more suggestions for holding the nut or getting the bolt out?
BTW: The cabin filter was last serviced at the dealer and I think they have caused the problem by putting thread-lock on the bolts.
I have managed to pull down the plastic trim very slightly so I can just reach my fingers to where I think the captive nut is. However I can not hold the nut no matter what I try. I have also tried to remove the glovebox by taking out four screws from the top of the box but this did not work either.
Has anyone got any more suggestions for holding the nut or getting the bolt out?
BTW: The cabin filter was last serviced at the dealer and I think they have caused the problem by putting thread-lock on the bolts.
Metal or plastic?
In my experience bmw service items / access panels have half or quarter turn plastic nuts or screws. Filters are very often under a cover retained with spring type fittings.
Yours may we’ll have a full metal item that needs undoing conventionally but it seems strange as does the use of thread lock.
In my experience bmw service items / access panels have half or quarter turn plastic nuts or screws. Filters are very often under a cover retained with spring type fittings.
Yours may we’ll have a full metal item that needs undoing conventionally but it seems strange as does the use of thread lock.
Definately a metal bolt, I know because I got the other one out.
Just to be clear: The bolts are not part of the filter housing, they hold on a piece of plastic trim below the glovebox. The trim must be taken off to gain access to the filter box, but the filter box has its own screws.
I can pull down the trim very slightly and see the captive nut. In fact I'm not sure it is called a nut because it is round and does not have shoulders like an ordinary nut. That makes it much harder to grip the nut while I turn the bolt.
The space is so tight that I block my own view of the nut when I put in a tool such as a snipe-nosed pliers.
Just to be clear: The bolts are not part of the filter housing, they hold on a piece of plastic trim below the glovebox. The trim must be taken off to gain access to the filter box, but the filter box has its own screws.
I can pull down the trim very slightly and see the captive nut. In fact I'm not sure it is called a nut because it is round and does not have shoulders like an ordinary nut. That makes it much harder to grip the nut while I turn the bolt.
The space is so tight that I block my own view of the nut when I put in a tool such as a snipe-nosed pliers.
Can't help but chuckle at the appropriateness of your username.
By the sound of it you've got a thread insert that has lost it's grip on the plastic component it sits in. If that's the case your only option to remove it (without damaging plastics) is to grip harder with pliers/small mole grips.
By the sound of it you've got a thread insert that has lost it's grip on the plastic component it sits in. If that's the case your only option to remove it (without damaging plastics) is to grip harder with pliers/small mole grips.
Gassing Station | BMW General | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff