Rear License Plate

[btp916]

The dealer did not install anything on the rear. Just got my plates in the mail. Do the holes need to be drilled? How do I install the rear plate?

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[Khyber]

Seriously? How were your temp tags on then... There's two holes on the back bumper ya know

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[btp916]

I didn't have any

 

[Kahboom]

California's new cars comes with a sticker they put at the dealer on the inside right corner of the front window. You get your plates at the nearest DMV or can have them sent to the dealer for pick up. License plates take some time to get 30-60 days here.

 

[Cascadia_302]

Same here in WA except the temp (paper) plate is taped to the upper lefthand corner of the rear window and has about a 6 week validation period.

 

[SC_Ruby]

The dealer did not install anything on the rear. Just got my plates in the mail. Do the holes need to be drilled? How do I install the rear plate?

I took a small drill bit and started a small hole in the two mounting holes on the rear bumber. Just enough to allow the license plate screws to get started, as you want the screws to be able to grab when the are screwed in. Once the holes are stated just take the screws that come in a small plastic bag with your front license plate holder and use those to screw them on. Hopes this helps :cheers:

 

[FdMstng99]

Drilling into my own car would make me nervous.

 

[jasonstang]

There are two nipples you drill into.

 

[wmsky33]

The dealer did not install anything on the rear. Just got my plates in the mail. Do the holes need to be drilled? How do I install the rear plate?

This should be a free service performed by the dealer that sold you the car. If not, the dealer sucks.

 

[GTP]

My salesman knew how OCD I was about inspecting and taking delivery of my ordered car, so he offered to have the SD drill them, or else I could drill them myself later. He guessed right - I did it myself at home, but only after my new hard plate arrived in the mail.

I don't recall the drill size, but the supplied screws are 1/4" so the drill was prob around 5/32". The bosses center the drill bit perfectly.

You are drilling into plastic, so don't be alarmed. This has got to be the easiest DIY mod ever, LOL.

[Edit] There are other subtle dimples for two lower plate holes, too. They don't have the protruding bosses. I chose not to use these. My GF used the leftover screws to replace the rusted ones on her TL. Mustangs go better with GF's.

 

[jasonstang]

My salesman knew how OCD I was about inspecting and taking delivery of my ordered car, so he offered to have the SD drill them, or else I could drill them myself later. He guessed right - I did it myself at home, but only after my new hard plate arrived in the mail.

I don't recall the drill size, but the supplied screws are 1/4" so the drill was prob around 5/32". The bosses center the drill bit perfectly.

You are drilling into plastic, so don't be alarmed. This has got to be the easiest DIY mod ever, LOL.

My dealer put one of the screws in too tight and pulled all the plastic threads out. I mean it's still holding the screws no problem but not as tight. I am thinking how I can fix this problem without using bigger screws.

 

[GTP]

My dealer put one of the screws in too tight and pulled all the plastic threads out. I mean it's still holding the screws no problem but not as tight. I am thinking how I can fix this problem without using bigger screws.

As an engineer who is the son of a tool and die maker, it baffles me how guys over-tighten fasteners. :frusty:
What's wrong with tightening until you feel it stop, and then you stop? It's a license plate bolt, not a 2" bolt holding up a bridge.

 

[jasonstang]

As an engineer who is the son of a tool and die maker, it baffles me how guys over-tighten fasteners. :frusty:
What's wrong with tightening until you feel it stop, and then you stop? It's a license plate bolt, not a 2" bolt holding up a bridge.

Exactly. It was just some idiot with an electric screw driver went nuts with the trigger. I think some rubberized sealant or some kind to take up the missing threads.

 

[GTP]

Exactly. It was just some idiot with an electric screw driver went nuts with the trigger. I think some rubberized sealant or some kind to take up the missing threads.

Ah, yes, the deadly screw gun set to 1 kilo-inch-pound. There's your problem. I used a 5/16" nut driver with a manual transmission.

Before doing a more complicated fix, you might just try to completely fill the hole with epoxy, and then re-drill the hole properly.
Good luck.

 

[wag4513]

My dealer put one of the screws in too tight and pulled all the plastic threads out. I mean it's still holding the screws no problem but not as tight. I am thinking how I can fix this problem without using bigger screws.

I would try some Loctite Threadlocker Blue 242, this can be released with standard tools.

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