1st Gen R53 Cooper S Most liked posts in thread: Stock airbox screws stripped?

  1. dadsalfa

    dadsalfa New Member

    Dec 17, 2009
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    #2 dadsalfa, Mar 22, 2010
    fatter screws

    I have an 03S with stock airbox,so I don't know if this would work for you,but I used larger diameter stainless steel sheet metal screws when mine stripped out.
     
  2. bee1000

    bee1000 New Member

    Dec 23, 2009
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    #3 bee1000, Mar 22, 2010
    Sounds that will work until those strip out, then I'll get bigger and bigger screws!:)

    I'm taking my car for service today and I'll check to see if it's possible to buy a new base to the airbox. I didn't see it (or the airbox at all) on Real OEM.
     
  3. Nathan

    Nathan Founder

    Mar 30, 2009
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    #4 Nathan, Mar 22, 2010
    On RealOEM its under Fuel Preparation System => Intake muffler

    RealOEM.com BMW R53 Cooper S SUCTION SILENCER/FILTER CARTRIDGE
     
  4. Eric@Helix

    Eric@Helix New Member
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    #5 Eric@Helix, Mar 22, 2010
    Just get yourself some bigger sheet metal screws and carefully thread them by hand. When you feel slight resistance and you see that the screws are bottomed out, stop tightening. The OEM ones get stripped when people try to over-tighten them.
     
  5. ScottinBend

    ScottinBend Space Cowboy
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    #6 ScottinBend, Mar 22, 2010
    Why use the box top at all?

    The Alta seals against the bonnet anyway.
     
  6. bee1000

    bee1000 New Member

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    #7 bee1000, Mar 22, 2010
    Thanks! Looks like an inexpensive part so I'll probably just have it replaced if necessary. I'm not really a DIY guy who would want to get into retrofitting it with new screws (and I don't particularly want to spend on a DDM right now - unless someone makes me a great deal at AMVIV).

    As I'm sure you know, tightening the screws clamps the lid down onto the filter to seal it shut. I try to get it tight-but-not-too-tight, but I suppose I failed. The metal screw into plastic ain't the best solution!

    I just have Alta's drop-in filter for the factory intake, not the Alta intake.
     
  7. ScottinBend

    ScottinBend Space Cowboy
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    #8 ScottinBend, Mar 22, 2010
    Ahhhh........now I see. Stock air box was the clue, right?

    :blush2:
     
  8. bodinski

    bodinski New Member

    Jul 10, 2010
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    #9 bodinski, Jul 22, 2010
    Stick half of a thin toothpick (or a small piece of insulated electrical wire) in the hole then install the screw. It should tighten down just fine this way.
     
  9. k-huevo

    k-huevo Club Coordinator

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    #10 k-huevo, Jul 22, 2010
    I use a long 8-32 machine bolt and nut, place the nut on a strip of tape, screw the bolt through lid and bottom box until it barely exits, stick nut on bolt end and screw, remove tape when threaded, hold nut while tightening.
     
  10. Tüls

    Tüls New Member

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    #11 Tüls, Jul 23, 2010
    Yep, it's only plastic. Take it easy, they are just holding down a top, not holding in pressure. ;) :D
     
  11. Dr Obnxs

    Dr Obnxs New Member

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    #12 Dr Obnxs, Jul 24, 2010
    There are a lot of games you can play...

    you can fill it with epoxy and drill a pilot hole. There's the toothpic, there's Keiths suggestion. The screws are thread forming screws for plastic.

    I've got an extra base, I think. PM me if you want it for cheap.

    Matt