air box bolt / nut rusted together!

761 Views 11 Replies 5 Participants Last post by cyclochip, Oct 15, 2003

cyclochip

Discussion Starter · Oct 14, 2003

I got my new K&N filter today, and was eager to do my first little 'mod' to the car.

I got three of the four bolts of the air box off, but #4 wasn't having any of it. The nut is rusted on, and when I turn the bolt, the nut turns with it.

I've doused it w/ WD-40 to no avail. Still stuck. The geniuses at Ford designed to so that it's damn near impossible to get even a pair of needlenose pliers in there to grab it, and even if you can, it's a SMOOTH ROUND nut! I can't get the pliers to bite enough on it to break the bond.

Has anyone had this problem before? How did you solve it?

I can't imagine something like this would be covered under warranty, would it?

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EggYolk

· #2 · Oct 14, 2003

Let me guess - its the top left bolt that you can barely reach anyways?? Man, [censored] that

I wouldn't take it to the dealer for warranty because they're going to get suspicious as to why you want it off in the first place or if you say a mechanic did it when you were changing your oil or something, then we will say they aren't liable because someone else screwed it up. I know you tried WD-40, but I would use to PB Blaster. Dude, a nun's ____ gets loose with that stuff

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cyclochip

Discussion Starter · #3 · Oct 14, 2003

Actually, it's the bottom left one... Right by the battery terminal.

If I did take it to the dealer, I don't think they'd be too suspicious. It's just a K&N filter, and there are no other mods to the car. Yet.
I was planning on using the whole 'it's more economical / better for the environment' reasoning if I did take it in and they said anything.

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SaxManZX3

· #4 · Oct 14, 2003

Actually, it's the bottom left one... Right by the battery terminal.

If I did take it to the dealer, I don't think they'd be too suspicious. It's just a K&N filter, and there are no other mods to the car. Yet.
I was planning on using the whole 'it's more economical / better for the environment' reasoning if I did take it in and they said anything.

Ya i mean you can buy the k&n's at the dealer.............

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IDversusEGO

· #5 · Oct 14, 2003

you can buy a lot of things at the dealer. that doesn't mean they will approve of it's effect on the warranty

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cyclochip

Discussion Starter · #6 · Oct 14, 2003

I can't imagine something like this would be covered under warranty, would it?

Apparently, it is.

I tried soaking it in more WD-40 and then went out and bought some of the PB Blaster. Soaked it and let it sit overnight. Checked it before work and then at lunch, and the bolt still wouldn't budge.

I called the dealership, told them about it, and the service manager said bring it by any time, we'll take care of it.
Being impaitent

I took it by after work. They tried what I had tried, and got the same results. Then a mechanic came by and took the whole airbox off and went back into the shop.
When he came back, he explained they had gotten enough of a bite w/ Vise-Grips, but they had broken one of the (non-important) plastic tabs off. So, he got me a new airbox bottom!

He put everything back together and I drove off. Didn't cost me anything.

This dealership has a new customer for life. Or at least until I move to Texas.

Thanks for everyone's replies!

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llama_in_a_focus

· #7 · Oct 14, 2003

so what is your location now?

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cyclochip

Discussion Starter · #8 · Oct 15, 2003

Heh, didn't realize I didn't put all that stuff in my profile.

Southaven, MS is my current location. It's a neighboring city of Memphis, TN, where I've lived all my live up until two months ago. The move to Texas is about 4 months away, I think.

I noticed the line in your sig... Either you're a fan of 'Silence Of The Lambs' or 'Family Guy,' huh?

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EggYolk

· #9 · Oct 15, 2003

Cool...atleast everything worked out

I didn't think a dealership would do that

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llama_in_a_focus

· #10 · Oct 15, 2003

oh yeah! family guy is what i was thinking!

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llama_in_a_focus

· #11 · Oct 15, 2003

i lived there in memphis about a year ago! i lived off of reaeigh lagrange by the car lots are.....cannot remimber the name of the road though. if you say it i will though.

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cyclochip

Discussion Starter · #12 · Oct 15, 2003

Covington Pike

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