Does anyone have a clue how to install the front bracket on an RDX - 2015? I'm hoping you don't have to drill the bumper, but the bracket doesn't have any instructions.

 

On the 2013 there are two tabs for screws that are on the bottom of the plate frame. They screw "under" the bumper cover, so the holes are out of sight. The third screw is in the middle of the plate frame, and will make a hole in the bumper cover. If you ever take the plate frame off, there are plastic plugs made to insert into holes. A little touch up paint on the plug, and it will be almost like new.

 

Thanks very much. The bottom line - you do have to drill. I don't know why they are so secretive about this and imply that you don't. But, it's on now.

 

My 2013 RDX came with a front plate holder installed by the dealer. I removed it and found there was a screw drilled right through the middle of the front bumper.

 

nyse_19,
Did you plug it with a bumper plug? If so, can you tell me where to buy it? The hole is directly in the middle where it isn't flat so conventional ones wouldn't look right.

rosen39,
Where did you get the plugs? The hole is centered so that it's not flat.

Yes.. I live in CA. It's "illegal" but then again speeding is too..

 

Buy a chrome "Beak Protector" (Bull Bar) and mount the plate to that. Better to move to a state that doesn't require you to drill holes in your vehicle (FL).


As always.... IMHO

 

AcucaDude, here is a link to what I'm talking about:

http://www.corvettepartsworldwide.co...ck_p/39313.htm

Cover it up with some touch up paint and it will almost look like it belongs there (like a parking sensor). Some local auto parts stores may have something similar to this. I bet if you used a heat gun (on low) you could shape the head of the plug to curve with the bumper.

 

I went to attach my plates that came in the mail the other day,and found that they drilled the hole in the center about a quarter inch to the left side....so plugging it is not an option so I mounted it.I had to file the plate holder screw hole to compensate,and shimmed the lower right bottom mount to get it all level and straight.It took a lot of careful slight bending of the plate to get it to conform to the plate holder with no gaps,it has a slight curved side profile to it.Looks pretty nice.I too am in CA.,but I'd hate to give them a reason to pull me over if I went plateless.

 

if you live in a state that requires a front license plate (ie. NY or NJ) and you may be parallel parking at times (ie. on a Main st where there are boutique shops) you may want to look to get a Flexy frame protector. It protects your front license plate and a little of the front bumper if you are a bad parallel parker or the person who parallel parks in front of you is a bad parker.

Below is an example.

 

It would be nicer if it came in white also. It sticks out like a sore Richard on a white car.....

 

I think he means this...

Bumper Plugs

If you need to curve it, maybe you can hit it with a heat gun???

 

Yes, Acucadude said where the plug went was not perfectly flat. I thought if the plug was plastic you could heat it up with a heat gun, and mold the head of the plug to the shape of the bumper.

 

I traded in an 04 S2000 for my current 06 IS350 and was shocked when I found the plat holder on the Lexus screws right into the plastic. On the S2000 the front plate holder attached a lot like a rear plate, meaning there were brackets behind the plastic bumper that accepted the bolts.

That was a nice feature as you could buy color matched plugs to cover the bolt hole which was nice an clean (as opposed to a nasty bolt thread tearing of the plastic)

I thought it might be the 'Honda way' of doing front plates, but from what I read hear it may not be so…

So..If I do buy an RDX I won't allow the dealer to screw in the plate holder, even though my state (WA) requires a front plate..They won't do it? I won't buy it!

Cheers!