I'm having one of the worst days I've had in a while, so I decided to finally install my popcharger to cheer me up a bit... yeah, that didn't work. I was installing the filter onto the short MAF tube and noticed there was a bit of play between the filter and the tube, so I decided to tighten the bolts down a bit more (although they were already tight). Turn one once and SNAP... now I'm royally screwed. I need help and suggestions please. Thanks.

 

Umm... i need a pic with a view of exactly where that is on the car... that way i can suggest the best possible way to get that out. I had this happen to me on my old eclipse gsx's throttle body. I was scared as hell, but i fixed it!

 

Looks like youll just have one less bolt holding it down. But like conceyted said another pic from farther away would be better for other to say what you could do. Sorry to hear

 

Here is another pic. There is NO way I can use just three bolts, there will be a bad leak and air will come into the tube behind the filter. I can't even put the stock airbox back right now because I don't have that bolt for it. I HAVE to get this bolt out... ideas? I wish I had access to a vice grip or something. Also, did anyone use any type of sealant around the tube/filter connection to prevent leaks? Thanks.

 

oops

 

Wow, looks like you need some type of wrench that can grab onto that. Not sure where that is at though.

I was fortunate to only do this when I installed my popcharger. Luckily I just superglued mine and it was all good.

GL on getting that screw loose. I am assuming you can't drive the car?

 

Do you own some visegrips? That should do the trick. Then use your OEM bolts that came with your stock airbox. Those should work for the replacement of that broken one.

 

That is easy... you get a drill with a very small bit, drill in the middle, then use an extractor set (they turn counter-clockwise) to extract.

Remember, the right tool makes the difference.

Cheap alternative : try to grab the part sticking out with the edge of a vice-grip. If you grab it, hard enough, then turn it counter-clockwise and there you go...

 

I read that you don't have a vise grip, ask a neighbor or a friend. If you cant find someone, get a ride to pepboys or local shop and buy a pair. Gl again. I feel your pain, mine was not as bad, but at first I thought I was up a creek without a paddle.

 

Dont worry I have had this happen to me. Its nothing a Tap and Die set cant fix, you can pick one up at Sears or some hardware shops have them. if you dont want to spend some money then you can try alternative ways of taking the screw out. check out this web site. and good luck. http://www.bhi.co.uk/hints/screws.htm

 

I don't think you'll be able to get on that with vise grips. Take the part to Sears with you and they'll have what you need. First, pick up one of their damaged screw removal sets and that should do the trick. If worse comes to worse, and it's really in there good, you'll have to drill it out and if your lucky, you can get it all out of there without damaging the threads; if not, just tap new ones. PITA, but fixable.

 

If you drill that out, with a screw extractor (what I would reccommend) make sure you place a magnet near it to collect all the metal shavings. you DO NOT want that falling into your intake! Eeeeesh, that could be a disaster!

 

Sometimes when I dont have the right tool around, I have used a dremel with a cutting wheel and made a small "cut" across the center of the bolt, then used a flat head screwdriver, this can also be done with a little time and a small saw blade or something of that nature.

Of course, the right tool would only take you about 2 minutes.

 

When you you do finally get i out use shorter bolts. Looks like the Dremel method will work for you or try a pair of flush cutting wire cutters to grab that sucka.

If they were tight and the MAF housing was loose, I'm guessing the tapped holes in the filter housing where not deep enough and the bolt bottomed out.

Test all of the holes by screwing one in without the MAF housing to see how deep the threads are.

 

dremel to the max

 

Definitely try Dremel first! It's not long enough for a vise grip, cuz you slip once and it's gone! Make it look like a flat head screw with the dremel and then use a flat head screwdriver and twist it out!!! Best bet!!!

 

Well I got a small hacksaw and made what looked to be a very nice neat little grove... then I twisted and the two separated metal pieces just kinda peeled off... now I have NOTHING to work with...

 

With that provacatice subject line.....I assumed you blew the motor up. So this "disaster" is really just a minor mishap....whew...sorry...I know that doesn't make you feel any better. A cheap tap/die set from Sears will do the trick. Take a deep breath..and relax...then smile.

 

Use a small sharp like approx. 1/8 inch drill bit at SLOW speed right in the middle of the broken bolt. Don't press too hard, let the drill bit do the cutting. A couple drops of oil will help. As much as possible try to keep bit centered...don't slip...steel bolt (hard)...aluminum filter housing (soft)...don't slip.

Get screw extractor from Sears (inexpensive). Turn counterclockwise to remove. If you use the extractor, you'll be fine.

Not hard to do, just take your time.

 

Wren use the screw extractor tool, I've used them at work many,many times. Its simple and this is exactly what its made for.