It is annoyingly common. Such chintzy pieces of plastic yet so essential to proper function.

@squeasel: You are now ready to replace your first broken regulator when that inevitably happens. Your discovery of that little window to access the hex nut is all part of the fun. :tsk:

If I were changing a regulator (and I have done so many times) I would change out those plastic clips too while I'm in there. They're not expensive and I think it is smart to be cautious and avoid troubles later.

I am replacing my right rear window regulator and am having some difficulty removing the nut that holds the glass at the bottom. I am applying a good amount of pressure and the nut is not budging. I am noticing that the head of the nut is even starting to round off and loose it edges. I am stumped why the nut is not budging or why it would even be torqued this tight? Has anyone encountered this? Any help or advice would be appreciated. Thanks.

You sure you have the right size bit? Right type of bit? Mine was right, but not that tight. It's only rounding off because you either have wrong bit, or not getting the socket on fully.

I checked and I was using the correct size bit (8mm). The socket was fully on the head of the nut. I was shocked at how much pressure I was applying and that the nut was not releasing.

Did you get it off?

Are you sure it's a Hex and not a Torx? I find that the "Germans" like to use Torx instead of Hex fasteners. The DISA Valve is held on with Torx fasteners and not Hex fasteners. The Hex may fit but it's not the right fit.

No it's hex on mine too. I also remember having a slight issue. But it is purely because on the socket I initially used. I used a 1/4 one at first, but it wasn't sitting on the head fully. I had to pull out my ultra fine socket set.

I got it off!! The head of the nut was basically stripped and I tried using a nut extractor. That did not work. It was not able to bite into the stripped head. I looked at the plastic clip for a while and figured that if I break the plastic tabs on the back of the clip I would be able to release the glass. Two of the tabs were already broken so I broke the other two and sure enough the hole in the glass was larger than that washer that the nut screws in to. i was able to move the glass off the clip and get the regulator out! I am surprised no one has mentioned this before. This was super simple no knowing that you can break the tabs on the back of the clip and remove the glass that way.

ps/ I am talking about the white clip that the glass rests on.

Right i am probably gonna tackle this too soon as am getting odd sounds now on drivers side as it goes up and down, that 8mm hex bolt with barely no 'head' on it to speak, would it be easier to find bolt(n washer) that has a slightly 'higher' head on it to be able to get bite on it when removing...?and use a washer? just been a pain n e46 whenever i did it....OR as have seen youttube vid some fella using hillman truss slotted 0.625 in license plate screws #884270 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JwFFd7OJGaI