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The answer is "it depends". Finally got to do it, and found that on one air filter cover one screw is broken, and on the other cover - three are broken. Out of four mind you. Obviously there in no way to drill out the broken piece of metal screw out of the plastic, so I just cut the plastic bosses around with metal saw, removed upper part, and then was able to remove the remnants of the screws out. Then I glued cut off pieces back in place, now waiting for the epoxy to hardened, before adding some glass fiber cloth on the outside of the joints for strength (total of about 48 hours). Now comes the question: where can I get the screws to replace the broken ones. What would the correct nomenclature be? These are 37 mm long thread forming screws with torx washer head. Thread diameter is 5 mm, thread length is about 15 mm, the remaining portion of the screw does not have a thread. Any ideas?
P.S. I know that I should be able to find some suitable wood screws, but then I'd have to drill out larger holes in the cover for them not to grab the cover, but only grab the bottom part of the enclosure.
One potential consideration is filling the original holes with TAP Silicone (or other suitable fill) and then re-drill a new pilot hole in the TAP Silicone and use the original sized screws.
One potential consideration is filling the original holes with TAP Silicone (or other suitable fill) and then re-drill a new pilot hole in the TAP Silicone and use the original sized screws.
Original sized screw - is the problem. Where can I get them? So far no luck anywhere.
Original sized screw - is the problem. Where can I get them? So far no luck anywhere.
Stop by your home depot and pick up a package of 8-32-1 1/2" screws. Should work fine. I seem to remember the original screws are special order from Germany for some Gawd awful price of like $9-$10 each, plus shipping.
Just a suggestion: you might take the broken screws to a Fastenal store and ask the people there to come up with a match. Good luck, Mate. Please let us know how you get this sorted.
If you have an Ace Hardware nearby, they usually stock all sorts
of screws. You could probably find something very close to the
original (including torx head) for around $0.40/each.
Just a suggestion: you might take the broken screws to a Fastenal store and ask the people there to come up with a match. Good luck, Mate. Please let us know how you get this sorted.
Tried that. They gave me a sheet metal screw which might work, but thread seem to be too shallow. Will look for a better fit.
Stop by your home depot and pick up a package of 8-32-1 1/2" screws. Should work fine. I seem to remember the original screws are special order from Germany for some Gawd awful price of like $9-$10 each, plus shipping.
You've got to be joking. $200 for a part that can be fixed in 100 different ways (including duct tape, if everything else fails ), which nobody, but me, will ever see, with no loss in performance/reliability? I wonder, how many people on this forum would solve this problem by buying new part? I guess even guys who service their cars at the dealer would not. Because dealer mechanic would never tell them that he broke theses screws.
OK, no way am I using duct tape to fix my car! Well, wait, I did use some temporarily on my backup camera wiring due to a running splice, but I have since replaced that with a longer wire and now no duct tape. But seriously, you do need to be concerned about any "pieces" on the downstream side of the filters getting sucked into the intake. Just make sure your patch job is 100%.
Ebay
Not worth the trouble to fix at that level of repair unless they're no longer available used or new
You can even upgrade to an AMG case (used ) for <new replacement cost
OK, no way am I using duct tape to fix my car! Well, wait, I did use some temporarily on my backup camera wiring due to a running splice, but I have since replaced that with a longer wire and now no duct tape. But seriously, you do need to be concerned about any "pieces" on the downstream side of the filters getting sucked into the intake. Just make sure your patch job is 100%.
I thought about it. Fortunately, all work had to be done on the parts outside of the actual filter enclosure.
Speaking of short cuts. Somebody mentioned that glove compartment on the SL55 he had bought was glued shut. This is an unacceptable short cut in my book. But using Velcro would've been just fine. Both appearance and functionality preserved.
Ebay
Not worth the trouble to fix at that level of repair unless they're no longer available used or new
You can even upgrade to an AMG case (used ) for <new replacement cost
Te only thing that I can say in self defense is that it took me less time to fix it, that it would have taken to get part from e-bay. But I like the price and might still buy it. Thanks.
By the way. While installing air filter assembly, I noticed a metal pipe sticking up just behind the plastic cover (towards fire wall). It looks like some sort of dipstick could be in there, but there nothing. No cover, no dipstick. Any idea what it is?
Thanks.
You should have two dip tubes - one for engine oil, on for transmission fluid. The oil dip tube will be visible with the engine cover in place and should have a round cap on it. The transmission dip tube will be under then engine cover and is supposed to have an anti-tamper cap, similar to this:
You should have two dip tubes - one for engine oil, on for transmission fluid. The oil dip tube will be visible with the engine cover in place and should have a round cap on it. The transmission dip tube will be under then engine cover and is supposed to have an anti-tamper cap, similar to this:
Thanks. The one that I saw is clearly an engine oil tube. But it is open. Dipstick runs $3 new. P/n 137 010 03 35.