twocosmicfish
New member
First of all, as an engineer, let me just say that the Ford engineers responsible for this subsystem are IDIOTS.
Now, the problem. The plastic air filter housing on a 2003 Focus is closed by means of 4 screws. Unfathomably, these screws attach to PERFECTLY ROUND AND MOSTLY INACCESSIBLE NUTS that have no purchase on anything other than the screw itself. Strangely (at least to Ford engineers), when I turn these screws the nuts turn in place with them, making it impossible to open the housing. Even better, I cannot even remove the housing and work on it outside the engine bay as one of the first steps in doing so is to remove the thrice-damned nuts.
I have tried WD40 a few times to no avail - I would be surprised if there was an oil that could remedy the problem as there is nothing on the housing for the roudn nuts to grip. Does ANYONE have any ideas on how to open this thing, other than just cutting through the screws and replacing them?
Now, the problem. The plastic air filter housing on a 2003 Focus is closed by means of 4 screws. Unfathomably, these screws attach to PERFECTLY ROUND AND MOSTLY INACCESSIBLE NUTS that have no purchase on anything other than the screw itself. Strangely (at least to Ford engineers), when I turn these screws the nuts turn in place with them, making it impossible to open the housing. Even better, I cannot even remove the housing and work on it outside the engine bay as one of the first steps in doing so is to remove the thrice-damned nuts.
I have tried WD40 a few times to no avail - I would be surprised if there was an oil that could remedy the problem as there is nothing on the housing for the roudn nuts to grip. Does ANYONE have any ideas on how to open this thing, other than just cutting through the screws and replacing them?