Nissan Repair: Change MAF on 1997 Infiniti Q45, 1997 infiniti q45, infiniti q45

Question
Can anyone offer me any tips on how to change the MAF on my 1997 Infiniti Q45?

Normally, I'd like to think this is a 10 minute job, but it seems Nissan put the MAF right under the air filter in this car, then bolted it down with 4 almost-impossible-to-reach-and-unscrew bolts.  Spent 2 hours on it today...

I was able to remove 3 of the bolts, but can't remove the 4th on in the lower right corner with my socket wrench because there's too-little room and it takes a lot of torque.  In the process, seems I stripped one side of the screw so a screwdriver does no good.  Any hints for digging this bolt out?

Also, on the connecting wires to the manufacturer MAF, I wasn't able to remove the plastic assembly by simply pressing down the plastic tab, so I unscrewed the whole connecting assembly from the MAF itself and strenuously wiggled it free.  I thought I might have broken the small steel connectors inside the assembly but couldn't really tell even though I looked closely at it.  

The remanufactured Carbone MAF that I purchased, however, has a little different connection assembly.  So, now I think I still need to remove the plastic housing for the MAF wires from the outgoing unit in order to connect it to the incoming MAF. I don't want to break anything -- help?

Thanks,
RAB  

Answer
RAB,

Remove the intake duct from the throttle body and the filter housing as an assembly.  On a bench you can have your way with the bolt in question.  I would use vicegrips or even drill out the screw.  When you take the assembly off be sure to disconnect the air inlet temperature sensor and the assembly should come free.