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The grilles are getting difficult to remove without damaging the plastic screws that expand the attachment hardware.



Today while putting the left side back in the car, out for some work I was doing, I gave the screws a brush of anti-seize. Replaced a few of the screws with chewed heads with parts on hand. Had one missing assembly and now all back together.

While doing the right side, I noticed the big outer lamp was loose. The top 'joint sleeve' as BMW calls it the socket the adjusting ball goes into on the lamp housing was broken. I'm really glad it was the top one as just backing out the adjuster gave enough room to pop out the broken part and install the new one (well it looks new) from my parts dept. Got aiming close enough until dark when I can check it. I want the lights to light up the highway, not some test facility computer rig. Doing that for years and works great.

I'm on a roll, think I'll pull the drivers p/w switch and give it a cleaning. It has been a bit touchy lately.

That was quick. Of course, a Nick Sander, fiberglass spot sanding and feathering pencil is great for cleaning the two inside contact points that arc more than the others.

BTDT. Almost any lubricant works on those fasteners, without the mess Anti-Seize can cause.
Even a shot of silicone seems to last quite a while.

BMWCCA2 wrote: Sep 21, 2022 8:27 PM BTDT. Almost any lubricant works on those fasteners, without the mess Anti-Seize can cause.
Even a shot of silicone seems to last quite a while.

Yep, while not really a fan of it, WD40 works well on those. I've also been known to use sheet metal screws and those have worked well.

try chap stick if you have any. Its basically just wax, works well on plastic zippers that get stuck.

For plastics like that, I like to use Finish Line bicycle "Teflon Plus Dry Lube." It comes out as a liquid, but the carrier dries and it leaves a waxy film that doesn't wick out or let gunk get in.

i often use Wurth HHS-K on plastic fasteners, but am a habitual user of never-seize, anywhere else.

The Wurth HHK-S is for the hood hinges, too.

Folks are lubricating these on a regular basis, aren't they? Especially the right one since it is NLA and these things do freeze up over the years.