The location that I have chosen to install my OCC is a tight spot. It's in the compartment that houses the ABS module. How do I remove the wall shown in the attached picture to get access to drive the SS self-taping screws to hold the bracket?

 

I can't answer your question, but have you seen how much thread is holding your struts on? Shouldn't you look into longer bolts when using the M7 STB? Looks dangerous to me.

 

That thing with the strut bolts is normal from what i have gathered. And you cant change the bolts anyway so there is nothing you can do about it.

To answer your question. Try to find a guide on removing the wall behind the airbox, i know there are a bunch of those given the amount of CAI's there are. The proccess should be somewhat similar (or at least that is what it looks like).

 

So that makes it OK, and safe?

 

There's been lots of discussion on this in the past - every car with M7 STB or reinforcement plates and stock struts looks like that. Supposedly (according to others who claim to know - I only repeat what I've heard) those bolts don't feel a lot of forces unless the towers start to mushroom - which is what the plates prevent... (at least in normal conditions)... Mine have been installed for 17,000 hard street miles and haven't moved or loosened... I've heard no reports of failures from the field... and if there have been any, I'd LOVE to hear about them... I'd also love to see hard data... but so far just have positive anecdotal evidence...

Note that I do NOT make a habit of starting an argument with Dr.Phil - much respect, sir...

 

No argument. But a few notes might be in order:
1. The OEM nuts are one-use only and it appears as if these are the original nuts.
2. It is relatively easy to drill out the original strut mount plate bolts and insert longer bolts through from underneath with nylock nuts and lock washers for extra security.
3. I have noticed from experience that these 3 mounts points can move -- in that they have variance in their location. In fact the variance is so big that it can actually change camber and caster by up to 0.5deg. This being so, I'd rather have lots of threads holding those 3 nuts on than a couple of old threads as this photo suggests.
That said, and here's where there's no argument: due to the variances identified, plus other sources of variance, I am not surprised that you have 17000 miles on such a setup without any problems. I was simply suggesting that a better setup would increase the probability of such an outcome as yours occurring, rather than an alternative, and more unfortunate, possibility.
But I have taken this thread OT, so I do apologise. And will cease and desist.
Cheers to BlimeyCabrio!

 

The cowl partition on the airbox side has (I believe) 5 screws of various types around the perimeter - one expanding plastic clip/screw that holds the end at the strut tower, normal screws (T25?) on the other side, and special torx screws with extended "****" heads on the bottom that the airbox actually snaps onto...

The Bentley manual says that this one (which they call the "plastic bulkhead") is held by the screw you can see on the strut tower side... the manual says:
1) remove the screw,
2) release fuel pipe from retaining clip
3) peel off the rubber seal on top,
4) Detach plastic bulkhead and pull forward to clear ABS module.

 

Thanks for the info, I've removed the passenger side of the plastic bulkhead, but there's still not enough room to get a drill in there to drive the screws. Looks like I'm going to have to remove the two reservoirs out to pull the bulkhead far enough out the way.

 

Right angle drill? Maybe from your local tool rental place?

 

Thread jack:

I assisted in installing a JCW STB and it comes with new bolts. The new ones have a sleve on them so they go inside the strut tower from above. When you look at them, they seem to be barely hanging on like the pic, but in fact, there is like 90% of the bolt on the thread.