I'm trying to get my car into service mode/position, ultimately to take the head off. I'm using this video ( ) as a guide and I really like the idea of having the radiator and a/c completely out of the way. BUT, I can't get the blasted headlights out, and these are attached to the large plastic thing that has the fan built into it. The removal bolts just spin. They are threaded into this pressed in sleeve, and the sleeve is spinning in the plastic it is pressed into.

Anyone have a solution? I could cut the head of the bolts off I guess, but I doubt I could find replacement clips with the threaded sleeve.

 

Yeah, it's a bad design for cars that run on salted winter roads.

Put the impact on it and spin the crap out of the bolts until they melt the plastic and the whole thing comes out. Replace them with regular bolts and nuts. I used stainless steel hardware in the hope that they'll be more rust resistant.

I had trouble with the upper bolts too. I ended up sliding long-nosed ViseGrips underneath to grab the nut sleeve assembly so I could remove them.

 

I did end up as you had said, I was able to grab hold of a couple of the threaded nubs with pliers, I had to drill the bolt head out though. Spinning the other style until the plastic melts is a great idea, I hadn't thought of that. I was almost going to cut those, as I found ECS Tuning does sell replacement threaded parts. In the end I just dealt with the front plastic/fan propped up on a board and pulled out, it gave me enough room to get the cat/turbo/exhaust manifold off.

So I guess this wasn't the most insightful thread, hopefully it'll give ideas to someone if they stumble onto it though.

Thanks Leora.