[s5s]

Hi, there are a number of components under the hood (e.g. cabin air filter, air filter box) that have metal bolts that screw into what is a plastic hole. Inside, I can see some rubber-y material but with time I take it this will be chopped up to a point it won't hold the bolt. I believe I already have this happen to one of the bolts of the cabin air filter. Is there a replacement part for these rubbers? What can be done to restore the hold of the bolt by the plastic part?

[e91Owner]

Originally Posted by s5s

Hi, there are a number of components under the hood (e.g. cabin air filter, air filter box) that have metal bolts that screw into what is a plastic hole. Inside, I can see some rubber-y material but with time I take it this will be chopped up to a point it won't hold the bolt. I believe I already have this happen to one of the bolts of the cabin air filter. Is there a replacement part for these rubbers? What can be done to restore the hold of the bolt by the plastic part?

I’ve just put a little JB weld in there, let it set for a few minutes and screwed the screws back in. Just use it sparingly.
If JB weld isn’t available in the UK, it’s just a two part epoxy that is black/dark grey.

[Tambohamilton]

Service life is huge, you just have to be sure to find the thread each time you install the screw instead of forming a new thread each time. There is no rubber insert in the plastic, but I've seen some repaired with threaded metal inserts glued in

[Simbl]

I have seen some owners have drilled out and epoxied threaded rivets in and used a new bolt. Seems like a nicer solution than jb weld.

[Brian86]

This is fine. Just don't over tighten them, and be careful to re-use the original thread each time.

I took apart a VW the other day that applied the same screws the e9x/n52 intake snorkle uses at the radiator support, to hold the throttle body on the intake manifold.