RE: <E36> Screws in Backwards

["Bassett, Carl D." <Carl.Bassett@xxxxxxx>]

Austin -

If you are going to replace the screws, I would take a metal file and file
the end of the screw along the longitudinal until you get a flatter side
that the grips can lock on to, this should allow you to back it out.

Carl Bassett '87 325iC

- -----Original Message-----
From: austin wood [mailto:awood@domain.elided]
Sent: Tuesday, March 28, 2000 4:28 PM
To: bmw@domain.elided
Subject: <E36> Screws in Backwards


Hello, I had a little accident with a pot hole, and my lower engine 
cover ripped off.  I thought no big deal, I'll just go to the parts 
store and pick up a new one (Boy was I wrong!).  When I investigated 
the damaged further, I noticed that not only the cover broke off, but 
the piece it screws into.  To get this piece out is quite a job. So, I 
had to remove the bumper to get to this piece.  I also needed to 
remove the front panel, but the side retaining screws holding it in 
were placed in backwards by my mechanic (You would think for $71/hour 
you could put some screws in right!).  If you have the Bently Service 
manual for the 1992-1998 3 series cars, you can see a picture of these 
screws on page 510-8 figure 19.  The only way I could get the piece 
out that I needed to remove was by breaking it.  So when I got the 
piece out I was able to get the screws out that were on the passenger 
side (So the screws in the picture are not exactly the ones I'm having 
trouble with).  However, I am still unable to get the screws out that 
are on the drivers side (If you look at figure 18 on the same page, I 
am talking about the B, side retaining screws).  Can someone tell me 
how to get these out?  I've tried gripping the backside of the screws 
with channel locks, but to no avail.

Any help is appeciated.
- -austin wood  

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