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May be a dumb question (dont laugh) but how do you get the nut into the back of the front license plate mount to fasten bolt. Is there a special kind of screw i need?
Last edited by SeanPeterLynch; Nov 8, 2014 at 06:48 AM.
Not a dumb question at all. At least on my 91, don't know if other model years are the same, getting to the back of the front plate is extremely awkward. There is a hole in the back side of the bumper but it doesn't come close to lining up with the bolt holes for the plate. It's hard to believe none of the engineers noticed that this might cause problems, but I guess maybe because the license plates are different in the UK and may not use the same mounting system.
Anyhow, one way to do it is to fasten the nut from the back in a suitable box end wrench with tape and reach it in through the hole in the back of the bumper. Like I said, very awkward. The previous owner of my car dealt with it by using bolts just a little larger that the slots in the bumper. He just screwed them in and they sort of formed their own threads. That may sound half baked but seemed pretty secure in practice.
I thought all US cars had pre threaded fixing holes.
Unlike the UK, where they drill holes anywhere on the plate (or use d/s sticky tape) and also, unlike most of the world, the plate stays with the car until it goes to a "better place".
I thought all US cars had pre threaded fixing holes. Unlike the UK, where they drill holes anywhere on the plate (or use d/s sticky tape). Also, unlike most of the world, the plate stays with the car until it goes to a "better place".
My 91, lhd and I presume made for the US market, has threaded holes for the rear plate, but two unthreaded slots for the front. In my experience US license plates have been standard as to size so not sure why the front didn't also have ready to use threaded holes.
In the US states I've lived in plates stay with the owner. Some years ago I sold a car - cheap and beat - in Hawaii, and didn't take the plates. Not sure if that's how it was supposed to be done there at that time or if I screwed up, but the internet says the plates stay with the owner now. Anyhow the guy that bought the car never registered it and about 6-8 years later after having moved to Wisconsin I received a letter from the states attorney demanding a large amount of money for unpaid citations. I was able to resolve it eventually but with quite a lot of hassle - I'm a lot more careful now about vehicle transactions.
I don't know what the original hole was, just that when I removed the plate there was good size machine screw. It was solid so I reused it. Just took the plate off last week after 9 years!
When I get my Jag delivered to Houston Tx in December I think I'll be a liitle more tactful putting on the front plate!
so every one and their brother puts their Favorite Sports team or #1 Mom on the front plate... and not to mention Manatees, hearts with two names, just al sorts of personal expressions... the Florida Crowd just thought that is what that space is for...
My front plate was fastened by screws going into a little plastic fastener that expands as the screw goes it. Some bumped into it when standing near the front of the car and the plate fell off, but it appears to be usually very firmly in place. I am wondering if these plastic thingies are something special or a regular item that I just need to identify where to get it and what size.
Is anyone else using these for the front plate?
Bill Back of front plate showing the two plastic fasteners Zoom into the plastic fastener for front license plate
Mounting front license plate
