Removing front plate Bracket

[daz05]

Guys,

Does anyone know how the front number plate bracket is held on? (UK car)

Is it a case of undoing the screws on the plate or are there nuts on the inside of the bumper. If so how can you access them?

Have a purchased a shorter number plate and wish to stick it on directly instead of using the oversized holder.

Cheers

 

[Mikey]

The bracket is held on with 4 rivets and they are not easy to remove. Took mine off and then used two of the original holes for the rivets to secure the number plate. Had to put a length of double sided tape along the top edge of the plate to keep it vertical as with just two screws it sits at a crappy angle. Looks sooooo much better thou when done right.

 

[cj10jeeper]

Sadly you are almost certain to find the oem fixing is 4 pop rivets (as noted by Mikey) 2 of which will be outside of the edges of the number plate. They will need filling spraying, etc. if you use a smaller plate.

For a 5 digit plate I chopped 2" out of the centre of the mounting bracket and plastic welde it back together. Shave the profile and the end result is a lot better than fixing the plate on flush as it all sits vertical and neat:

 

[daz05]

Thanks guys what's the best way to access these rivets. Would you recommend removing the grill or is there another way?

By rivets do you mean the white plastic rivets they use for the interior trim?

 

[cj10jeeper]

I mean metal pop rivets that are fitted from the front. If you are lucky you may be able to drill then straight out from the front but unless you use a sharp dril then you'll likley just spin them and being sunk in holes gripping them would be a challenge.

There is no way to access then from behind as that section of the bumper cover butts straight against the polystyrene parts of the crumple zone. Bumper off, but that's only 10 minutes work.

 

[gannet]

I asked myself this very question at the weekend when I discovered my plate was loose from the bracket... tried to tighten it only to find the thread (what there is of it) stripped :headbang:

ended up having to use some sort of filler to fill the screw hole and re-afix the plate.

 

[klarky]

i must be lucky as mine were screws. ive just had my holder painted to match the car so it must mean someones had the plate holder off in the past - lucky me i suppose

 

[cj10jeeper]

i must be lucky as mine were screws. ive just had my holder painted to match the car so it must mean someones had the plate holder off in the past - lucky me i suppose

More likely been in an accident and had a new bumper cover fitted or stripped off for a respray

 

[klarky]

im having it reprayed as it happens lol - at the end of the day id prefer it not to be rivited on.

 

[Andy]

Mine were screws too, but then mine had an American plate on it to start with 8)

 

[daz05]

Thanks guys, much appreciated will take a look this weekend and decide on the best way to go.

 

[daz05]

Guys,

I also have the metal rivets . How am I going to get them out any guidance appreciated?

 

[cj10jeeper]

Either use a sharp drill and drill them out without spinning them (and that will be a challenge). Alternative is to pull the bumper off and grip them from behind while drilling them out.

 

[Aliv6]

Daz, bodyshop had to take mine out. Fill and spray.