[davidpark_90]

I've been trying to replace my kidney grills, but I have a problem with hex screws..

I went and got a 10 dollar set of torx screwdrivers, and got 5/6 screws taken out. However, the damn far left screw won't come out. It just keeps spinning and spinning. I could really use some help here, I don't know how to get the last one out...

I guess some people have the same problem as mine..
should i go BMW dealer? any suggestion for me?

[AndreM818]

if it keeps spinning and spinning..then just pull it out or try taking the whole entire grill off

[davidpark_90]

Originally Posted by AndreM818

if it keeps spinning and spinning..then just pull it out or try taking the whole entire grill off

DMAN.. what if the screw break of somethin?

i havent replaced matt grill yet...

i would need the screws after removing the top of grill...

[AndreM818]

Im not to familiar with the e90..but there are DIYs for it
http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=3830
Your talking about the part on the hood i presume.

[06Arctic]

DO NOT PULL THE SCREWS!!!! That can damage the hood.. I would take it to the dealer to take it out this way, you can get a replacement.. I had the same problem and the dealer took it out without question. I used the OEM High Gloss Performance grilles (maybe thats why they were more cooperative). But spinner bolts are common.

[200Duece]

you might be able to wedge a credit card under the head of the screw while you thread it out. the pressure from underneath should help the threads to catch and twist out

[davidpark_90]

Originally Posted by 200Duece

you might be able to wedge a credit card under the head of the screw while you thread it out. the pressure from underneath should help the threads to catch and twist out

well, i just got back from my body shop. they said it aint come out with high-tech tools..
all i can do is just take it to dealer..
i just made an appointment at BMW dealer.
im afraid of they might charge "labor fee"....

GOD DAMN screw...

[NiVeDh]

I just used a lot of force and it pulled the little gold nut out from the grill - kind of damaged the plastic but nothing serious.

[CarForHire]

The threads are on the top part of the grill. Shouldn't matter if you're planning on using a new grill.

[SV Concepts III]

You could have stripped the threads or pulled the plastic from the metal threads. If you are going to replace the grill, you can break this one off.

[200Duece]

Originally Posted by davidpark_90

well, i just got back from my body shop. they said it aint come out with high-tech tools..
all i can do is just take it to dealer..
i just made an appointment at BMW dealer.
im afraid of they might charge "labor fee"....

GOD DAMN screw...

Can you see what the screw might be hanging up on? What does the other side look like that came off. Is it something that you can snap off, like stated earlier?

[davidpark_90]

i just took it to dealer, and they said it had to drill out.. also, it costs around 85 dollars.
i was like, what??? god damn expensive, all you guys do is just taking damn screw out..
if i break the top of grill and screws, is there any possibilites to get the same screw somewhere?

[CarForHire]

Originally Posted by davidpark_90

i just took it to dealer, and they said it had to drill out.. also, it costs around 85 dollars.
i was like, what??? god damn expensive, all you guys do is just taking damn screw out..
if i break the top of grill and screws, is there any possibilites to get the same screw somewhere?

If I were you, I would take one of the screws that you did manage to remove, and take it to Home Depot or somewhere similar. Ask them if they have anything similar, and go from there. Good luck, and sorry about that.

[davidpark_90]

Originally Posted by CarForHire

If I were you, I would take one of the screws that you did manage to remove, and take it to Home Depot or somewhere similar. Ask them if they have anything similar, and go from there. Good luck, and sorry about that.

yeah, ill give it a try.
but then, how come I take the out from the chrome thing?
just break it off?
ugh,. i think i cant do anything by myself...
i really need someone who can help me out aruond here
i live in pleasant hill, CA..... lol....!!

[scanboy]

Originally Posted by davidpark_90

yeah, ill give it a try.
but then, how come I take the out from the chrome thing?
just break it off?
ugh,. i think i cant do anything by myself...
i really need someone who can help me out aruond here
i live in pleasant hill, CA..... lol....!!

If you can take the chrome piece off (i.e. separate chrome from black plastic), then you're good, that's actually a solution someone gave in the DIY, but I find that very difficult without breaking the chrome's tab. If you don't mind having a small hole in the black plastic, just drill a hole directing to the female part of the screw, stick a screwdriver into the whole to stop the female part from spinning and unscrew it. This is what I did, and I took it out in 5 mins. You can fill the hole up with some silicone glue.

[davidpark_90]

yay, guys! thanks!!

i just took that shit out!
but, it fell into the inside of hood..
what am i supposed to do.. lol...

[CarForHire]

Originally Posted by davidpark_90

yay, guys! thanks!!

i just took that shit out!
but, it fell into the inside of hood..
what am i supposed to do.. lol...

That was always my biggest fear.

[mycoupe]

If you can't figure out how to get a stuck/stripped screw out...you should not be working on your car AT ALL! Either pry up underneath the screw while trying to remove it, or drill the head of the screw out and get a new one. Problem solved.

[Motorsport.Nick]

I'm having the exact same problem with the same screw! I'm going to drill it out

[Cmaddox335]

No need to drill it out, just pry something between the hood and the top of the grill where the screw is. This will put pressure on the nut. The nut that the screw goes into is broken from it's mount so you just need a way to hold it still.

[Silosvick]

same problem kind
however my problem is the screw keeps spinning and spinning and i cant get the crew to tight

Torx bolt

any suggestion guys?

[N52UNED]

Reviving this old post ... a little FYI

I had the same issue as the OP.

If they just spin, you're not going to be able to save for reuse unless you customize them somehow. The only screws that came out without breaking loose were the center screws on both trim pieces.

Tools:
1 - Small flat screwdriver (regular screwdriver)
1 - Small ViceGrip type plyers
1 - T20

(blue Loctite if the screws don't still have enough Loctite remaining ... reapply if necessary)

Take the screwdriver and wedge underneath the plastic trim and apply a small amount of pressure. Use the vice grips to turn the screw. This will either give enough tension to grab and unscrew or it will break it from the plastic (it might need a bit of coaxing to give way fully). After the trim is off ... Use the vice grips to hold the female connector in place as you unscrew it with the T20 bit.

When installing ... start off with the middle screw. Tighten it about halfway. The same with each end. Then tighten each in a pattern. Do not fully tighten them yet. Keep the hood in the sun for a bit to allow the plastic to soften (it won't actually feel soft). Tighten down the screws until they are snug. Make sure to put downward pressure on the trim piece when tightening or else they'll wobble. Do not overtighten ... snug is good enough since they have Loctite.

Hope this helps.