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License Plate Screw Removal Help

2.9K views 6 replies 5 participants last post by  Griptruk  
#1 ·
Ok guys and gals, I am ashamed to post such a simple task online... but I couldn't figure it out myself.

I wanted to remove my back license plate cover the other day and found that the dumb screws are not unscrewing.

I tried holding the plate out while I unscrewed the screws but with no luck.

Anybody ever had this problem before??

Thanks.
 
#2 ·
lulubboy said:
Ok guys and gals, I am ashamed to post such a simple task online... but I couldn't figure it out myself.

I wanted to remove my back license plate cover the other day and found that the dumb screws are not unscrewing.

I tried holding the plate out while I unscrewed the screws but with no luck.

Anybody ever had this problem before??

Thanks.
Spray some liquid wrench on each screw.
 
#3 ·
The screws corrode and stick in the round threaded inserts in the plastic license plate frame. When you apply ehough torque, the insert spins inside the frame leaving you with a screw that goes nowhere. Grind the screw heads off (dremel, 7" grinder, shotgun, etc.) and buy yourself some SS M5 screws and a new license plate frame which will have square inserts.


Ed
 
#4 ·
Happened to me like a couple weeks ago. Such a stupid thing, I consider myself pretty mechanically inclinded, but I was defeated by the stupid license plate screws. I actually pulled the whole insert right out through the plate.

I'm trying to figure out what I'm going to replace it with. maybe do what teamdfl said.

-jer
 
#5 ·
Like teamdfl said, I had to pull the inset threading out too. Whoever stuck the original temp plate on used non-machined screws which stripped the inset threading.

I bought a new plate holder (about $10 from dealer) and got machined screws that fit correctly.
 
#7 ·
lulubboy said:
How did you guys pull hte whole insert out??

Does it just come out? Or do you have to drill it out.

LL
I used my Dewalt cordless drill and just spun it fast so it really loosened it self up and was able to pull it out with pliers.

-Jer