I went to do the rest of my 60K mile maintenance today. The oil was done about 600 miles back. Air filter no problem. Wipers no problem. Polyrib was replaced by previous owner 12K miles back with the water pump and belt looks good. Cabin filter - now this was an issue. The plastic cover of the passenger side has one torx screw holding it in place. I unscrewed it and got about half way before it started spinning place. I peeked under the panel to see the rubber bushing spinning with the screwdriver. There is no way that I could figure to get that screw out so I have to replace the cabin filter while pulling the cover back. All worked but I was wondering if anyone had had the same problem and if you had a more elegant solution

 

Gently apply pressure by pushing down on the cover while backing the screw out. Your goal is to apply enough downward pressure to keep the rubber grommet underneath from turning while you take the screw out. Another way is to slide a flat blade screwdriver in from the battery tray side to hold the grommet. If in the end the screw is a bit crusty and you can't apply enough pressure to back it out, you can try and lift the whole thing up and pop the rubber grommet out.

 

Unfortunately, I tried both. I was able to actually get a needle-nose pliers in under the plastic cover and grip the grommet but the threaded receiver appears to have separated from the rubber grommet.

I tried pulling it straight up but that was also unsuccessful.

You are correct that the screw is a little rusty.

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You will see once you have it out that the threaded piece pops into a groove in the rubber grommet. I think a little bit more upward pull and it will pop out. Try pulling up on the screw with some pliers...it should pop out. Might try and shoot some WD-40 in and around the rubber grommet and down the screw shaft. It is really not all that hard to pull that up. I would not try and pry under the cover you might break it. I replaced the two screws on either side with SS metric screws and a nice shiny SS washer. Looks really nice. Good luck!

 

I've had an issue similar to you, narkose - and during the removal process I had to destroy the bushing to get the panel off. Be patient, and they'll pop out - one of mine actually split in half as I pulled it out.

Does anyone know the part number for the bushing? I've considered installing a nutsert instead, but would prefer the OE part, if I can find it.

-Chris

 

Dare I say it is #13 in this diagram for 1999-2005 996
http://www.autoatlanta.com/porsche-p...section=813-20
P/N 99950009200
$4.52

 

Crazily enough there are aftermarket fasteners that one can purchase that allow you to finger tighten the panels down. If I can track down the source I will post a link. I bought them about a year ago and they are terrific.

 

That would be great