How to remove plastic screws to fix wiper issue?

[Thadeus1991]

Hey guys,

I've got a question in relation to this post which explains how to get to the wiper motor in order to deal with the well known grease issues. Wasn't sure whether asking within the 'How-To' would be the right place, so thought I'd post it here.

I did get stuck at Step 6 and was hoping maybe someone has some advice (the question will probably out me as an absolute
noob )?

STEP 6
Using the flathead screwdriver, remove the four plastic retaining screws from the front edge of the wiper pan. These screws are made of very weak plastic and whilst they have a cross-head, I found that using the flathead screwdriver was much better, as you can dig it into the plastic slightly. Once the screws are removed, gently prise out the plastic grommet thingy that they were screwed into.
(the screw locations are highlighted in red in the image below)

The flat head didn't work for me but, to a degree, some pliers did the job when I used them to turn the screw from the outside. I managed to get one of the screws out of the pan that way. The second one snapped clean of, so there is now no head left on that screw. What happened is that I kept turning the screw when a clicking noise occurred and the screw didn't really come out further. I kept turning anyway and it snapped off. The remaining two screws came about half way out but also then started that clicking noise and are 'stuck' half way out (didn't want to snap these, too).

Any idea how I can get the remaining three screws out? I've already ordered replacements from BMW, so I'm happy to destroy the old ones in the process - I'm just not sure what said process should be...

Any tips would be greatly appreciated - thanks guys!!

 

[enuff_zed]

I'm not 100% certain, but you 'may' find the screws go into a bit of a void behind. If this is the case it may be possible to use a thin screwdriver, or pin punch and push the remaining screw body back through to the inside.
If you have new ones incoming then once the panel is off you can hopefully retrieve the broken bits and fit the new ones instead.

 

[colb]

Get a pair of long nose pliers behind the heads and lever them out, they may break so having replacements to hand is a good move. Once you get the wiper arms off the scuttle cover will lift off to reveal the wiper workings. A couple of bolts and a nylon clip once removed will allow the workings to be lifted up and out, disconnect the wiring connector. Turn the unit over and take the six cover plate bolts out and lift the plate off to reveal the contact plate thats covered in the grease thats migrated across it. Use electrical contact spray to clean all the grease off and the contacts. Reverse order to put it all back.

 

[TheDan]

I am so sick of these plastic fixings too! I recently removed my scuttle cover to clean out debris and had to break all of them to get the cover off!

It then got worse... I bought new screw clips and fitted them stripping three of the crossheads in the process!

When I have the time I am going to find an equivalent sized metal screw (coated of course) and use that with the plastic "nut" instead of the plastic screw.

 

[Thadeus1991]

So - I ran into the next issue with this...
Turns out the part number (51 71 7 001 494) for the rivets in the original post was not for the right part. That number is for plastic rivets but they are waaaay to big.
Does anyone have the correct part number? Maybe @TheDan as you seem to have bought them in the past?

I bought new screw clips

 

[TheDan]

So - I ran into the next issue with this...
Turns out the part number (51 71 7 001 494) for the rivets in the original post was not for the right part. That number is for plastic rivets but they are waaaay to big.
Does anyone have the correct part number? Maybe @TheDan as you seem to have bought them in the past?

These are the ones I bought (https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/10x-BMW-...er-Clips-for-Trim-Panels-Linings/280947752964) with PN 51481915964. They fit just fine, but I hate the plastic screws. As I said above, replacing for metal screws as soon as I find some.

 

[Thadeus1991]

Thanks a lot - ordered them now. But shame I won’t be able to get it done this weekend now

I agree, the plastic screws are terrible - do let us know if you find a metal alternative. I reckon half the folks in the forum would benefit from it and be thankful!