Hi everyone,

Since I have had a weird rattling from the air cleaner, I took it off the other day and thought the rubber mounts were good. However after I replaced two of them anyway, the rattling is almost gone.

The problem is that the one closest to the turbo is so destroyed and so hard to take off!!! What kinda tool do I need to take the stupid thing off anyway?

BTW, is there meant to be an 8mm nut from the bottom of the air cleaner bracket securing the rubber mounts from the bottom?
I read the Haynes manual and these 8mm nuts are not there. However they are on mine.

I twisted the rubber soo many times that people must've thought I was crazy. The other two took some effort too, however they weren't as bad.

Any tips?
Do I need to use a pair of huge pliers or something?

Thanks

-Holson-

BTW, remember, when your air filter rattles, replace those rubber mounts even if you think they're perfect.

*another funny thing was that a kid actually recognized the turbocharger.. probably from reading those Tuning Magazines or something.. he was probably quite surprised to see a non-shiny turbo

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2008 BMW 335i Coupe

I thought so too, however I'm pretty sure that it's still one piece. I tried twisting the rubber part of it too and it just flexes.. however I couldn't get enough grip on it.

Maybe I'll just use a Dremel, saw the rubber part off and "Drill-Out" the bottom part...
I can't believe it's this hard....

I'm pretty sure that I can destroy the rubber piece. However, how does it look like once it's destroyed?
If it's just a flat thin metal piece then it's going to be very hard to twist it... in that case my only option would be to drill it out...

can't wait to fix this...

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2008 BMW 335i Coupe

hehe looks like a cutting job it is..

I just replaced the rubber mounts in my car. Two were in pieces. The bottom and top threaded portions are not connected. They are molded into the rubber. Pretty easy to separate though. Just use a screwdriver to pry up part of the metal flange and use a pair of pliers to turn it. Thats how i did it.

perfect, thanks a lot guys!
I can't wait til tomorrow... I guess my hands are itchy after exams..

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2008 BMW 335i Coupe

Mine had nuts under the bracket on all three...had to get a small wrench under there to hold them in place.

I've got a tip for you--I don't remember where I picked this idea up, but it has worked very well for me:

Save one half of one of your old broken mounts, if you have one with at least half of the rubber still firmly attached. Remove your air filter housing (DON'T do this with it still bolted on) and drill a small hole in the side of it that faces the valve cover, just large enough for the stud from the old rubber mount to fit into, and then put a nut on it from the inside. Make sure you drill the hole in the right place so that the rubber mount will rest lightly against the valve cover once everything is reassembled. This keeps the filter housing from vibrating around so much, and will GREATLY extend the life of your new mounts.

Be sure to clean up all the metal shavings after drilling the hole...you DON"T want that stuff getting sucked into the engine!

Mike

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1979 300 SD
350,000 miles
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1982 300D-gone---sold to a buddy
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1985 300TD
270,000 miles
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1994 E320
not my favorite, but the wife wanted it

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I had a rubber "donut" from one of the suspension pieces I changed and jammed it between the air cleaner housing and the valve cover on the 300D. Works great and is tight enough to stay in.

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Jim