WRX license plate frame

J

james

I'm required to change license plate every few years.

Today when I replace the front plate, I noticed the screws are not very
tight. They are just 3/4 inch long pan head sheet metal screws screwed
directly into the front bumper. I'm afraid to tighten it too much because it
may strip the "thread" in the bumper.

I put some loctite on the screws, but I'm not sure loctite works on sheet
metal screws.

What's the best solution?

Aside from the holes made by the two screws, there are two pre-punched round
holes almost 1cm diameter on the front bumper near the two screws. They are
spaced about 1 inch further apart than the license plate screws.
What are these holes for? Is there a subaru license plate holder that uses
these holes? I searched in subaru parts web site and didn't find any.

The rear plate is different. There are two holes with plastic anchors for
the sheet metal screws to bite into, and spaced just right for the license
plate.
 
I'm required to change license plate every few years.

Today when I replace the front plate, I noticed the screws are not very
tight. They are just 3/4 inch long pan head sheet metal screws screwed
directly into the front bumper. I'm afraid to tighten it too much becauseit
may strip the "thread" in the bumper.

I put some loctite on the screws, but I'm not sure loctite works on sheet
metal screws.

What's the best solution?

Aside from the holes made by the two screws, there are two pre-punched round
holes almost 1cm diameter on the front bumper near the two screws. They are
spaced about 1 inch further apart than the license plate screws.
What are these holes for? Is there a subaru license plate holder that uses
these holes? I searched in subaru parts web site and didn't find any.

The rear plate is different. There are two holes with plastic anchors for
the sheet metal screws to bite into, and spaced just right for the license
plate.

Go to the hardware store and buy nylon nuts which will take and hold
on to the wood screws.

Put the nuts behind the screws, inside the bumper, and crank them down
hard.
 
Go to the hardware store and buy nylon nuts which will take and hold
on to the wood screws.

Put the nuts behind the screws, inside the bumper, and crank them down
hard.


I've used screen door screws to hold the plate on my Supra for 4 years
now. I use them because the color matches the color of the plate.

They are very small screws with hardly any thread. i screw them in until
they 'grab'.

Haven't lost a plate yet...
 
james said:
I'm required to change license plate every few years.

Today when I replace the front plate, I noticed the screws are not very
tight. They are just 3/4 inch long pan head sheet metal screws screwed
directly into the front bumper. I'm afraid to tighten it too much because
it may strip the "thread" in the bumper.

I put some loctite on the screws, but I'm not sure loctite works on sheet
metal screws.

What's the best solution?

Aside from the holes made by the two screws, there are two pre-punched
round holes almost 1cm diameter on the front bumper near the two screws.
They are spaced about 1 inch further apart than the license plate screws.
What are these holes for? Is there a subaru license plate holder that uses
these holes? I searched in subaru parts web site and didn't find any.

The rear plate is different. There are two holes with plastic anchors for
the sheet metal screws to bite into, and spaced just right for the license
plate.

I bought a "Bell" brand universal front frame and a mounting kit with four
screws and four plastic square inserts. I used the inserts in the holes you
mentioned, and put two screws in the original holes the dealer had put into
the bumper to mount the plate. I had to shorten the plate screws and bolted
the plate to the frame. This allowed me to move my plate upward to a
position centered on my bumper.

http://www.bellautomotive.com/asp/product_details.asp?id=24855

http://www.bellautomotive.com/asp/product_details.asp?id=23889

This worked really well for me now with four screws holding my license frame
to the bumper, four screws holding the plate, and centering it on my bumper.

Blair Baucom
2005 Forester XS
 
Blair said:
I bought a "Bell" brand universal front frame and a mounting kit with
four screws and four plastic square inserts. I used the inserts in the
holes you mentioned, and put two screws in the original holes the dealer
had put into the bumper to mount the plate. I had to shorten the plate
screws and bolted the plate to the frame. This allowed me to move my
plate upward to a position centered on my bumper.

http://www.bellautomotive.com/asp/product_details.asp?id=24855

http://www.bellautomotive.com/asp/product_details.asp?id=23889

This worked really well for me now with four screws holding my license
frame to the bumper, four screws holding the plate, and centering it on
my bumper.

Blair Baucom
2005 Forester XS

I did a similar thing with both my soobs. I might have a pic of my WRX.....
lol! well, here's one hah!
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2021/1817119818_3cbce14894_b.jpg

you can see I used the plate to shift the position up maybe an inch or
more from where it would be otherwise. The kit also comes with some
colored (black or white IIRC) caps for the screws.


Carl
 
What are these holes for? Is there a subaru license plate holder that
uses these holes? I searched in subaru parts web site and didn't find
any.

The Front License Plate Bracket is Subaru Part Number SOA342L120. I got
two of them -- one for my WRX and the other for my wife's Forester --
from SubaruGenuineParts.com. They were $10.60 each plus $8.25 shipping
when I got them in January 2007.

After installing the Front License Plate Bracket I mounted my front
(and rear) plate with a #10326 4 Hole Polished Stainless Steel License
Frame from Griot's Garage (griotsgarage.com). They were expensive --
$35.00 each -- but it's a beautiful installation and compliments the
WRX nicely.
 
Squat'n Dive said:
Looks like Elise behind is catching up with your rex :)

As one of my instructors says; "Check your mirror. If you see someone
behind you, God did not put them there, so let them pass in the next
straight."

(actually, the guy in the Lotus holds the track record - though in his
Miata - and owns the academy; http://www.apexdrivingacademy.com/

hah!

Carl
 
As one of my instructors says; "Check your mirror. If you see someone
behind you, God did not put them there, so let them pass in the next
straight."

(actually, the guy in the Lotus holds the track record - though in his
Miata - and owns the academy;http://www.apexdrivingacademy.com/
Ah, yet another tempting pic of that yellow Elise!
I wish I could overcome my claustrofobia to put myself into MX-5.
MX-2 should be even smaller, I guess.
Luckily, where I live now there is very little use for a convertible,
not to mention the miniscule income potential,
so the window for a temptation is vastly reduced :-]
 

Ask a Question

Want to reply to this thread or ask your own question?

You'll need to choose a username for the site, which only take a couple of moments. After that, you can post your question and our members will help you out.

Ask a Question

Members online

No members online now.

Forum statistics

Threads
13,889
Messages
67,365
Members
7,364
Latest member
Cimarron49

Latest Threads

Back
Top