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HELP Redpants; what's the best way to get this out
Redpant, or anyone who has done this type of work. what's the best way to get this what looks to be a two inch screw/bolt out of the lower bumper drain crack. i just noticed this today. not exactly sure where this bolt belongs to, but it's sticking inside out from the under side of the front bumper edge. i checked the exterior of the bumper, and doesn't look like any bolts are missing. so this might be from inside, or somehow at some point lodged inside and ended up now hanging between this crack. i tried to yank on it, but the head is stuck in the crack pretty well that it's not coming out due to the head being pretty large.
i was worried that if i don't get it out, it might end up back inside the engine bay. but i watched Redpants' video about front bumper removal, this drain crack and this bolt is sitting exactly right in front of where the front driver side air box meets the rest of the front impact steel frame. so it doesn't look like it's likely to end up anywhere inside the engine bay.
so i guess my question is, any easy way to get this thing out? or should i just leave it there and wait until next year's annual service.
Last edited by howzz1854; Dec 14, 2018 at 05:17 PM.
Remove front wheel Take the wheelwell liner out to get to the air filter box and you should be able to find it .
thanks, your suggestion lead me to a different solution. since i don't have a floor jack that's low enough for this car, i turned the wheel to the right and attempted to unbolt a couple wheel well liners, but i couldn't get the curb flap to loosen to access the screw. so i unscrewed one of the bolts that holds the front scrape guard in place, and once i did that, the screw was only an inch or two within reach. i was able to use a needle nose to get it out of the opening. one thing to note tho, the threads that hold the scrape guard in place are actually clip threads, so they slide all over the place. i almost lost the clip thread after i losen the scrape guard screw. luckily i was able to use my finger and needle nose to move the clip thread back into its original position, otherwise the screw that threads the scrape guard back in place wouldn't be able to thread back into place.
That is one of the screws that fastens the air box. When did you last have your air filters serviced.
edit: just thought it might alternatively be one of the screws that fastens down the MAF sensor. Same general area and would have been removed to service the air filters too.
Last edited by BMW-North; Dec 14, 2018 at 09:44 PM.
That is one of the screws that fastens the air box. When did you last have your air filters serviced.
about a month ago. i guess one of the screws for the air box is easily missed. i recall Redpants' video referring to one in the rear that people tend to miss. i guess i'll keep it with me until next time i go in.
