License Plate Screws Rusted Into Place

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Jul 20, 2021 | 11:53 AM
  #1  
Got the car with the top two holes shot. Now, the bottom two holes are shot. I can't even get one screw to turn -_-' . So, would it be possible to replace the entire plastic housing with the reverse lights in it while the plate is still attached? Or, does anyone know of a bracket I could glue to the exterior and call it a day? Just got a TON of body work done to it, so, it looks perfect, just need to get a new plate on the back lol.
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Jul 20, 2021 | 12:40 PM
  #2  
Are you saying the clips are broken? or?

What do you mean can't get 1 screw to turn? Is it a hex bolt? Or a round head screw?

Did you try vise grips its a round head screw?

can you drill it out?
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Jul 20, 2021 | 01:40 PM
  #3  
So, the top two screw heads broke off when I got the car. Since then I've been using the bottom two screws to hold the license plate. The bottom right screw is just spinning in place. The bottom left screw won't move. So, I was going to try soaking it in PB Blaster or something overnight tonight with the drunk lid open so it all drips down and HOPE it frees up the bottom two at least.

They're round head screws, phillips to be precise. Not sure if I can drill it out, I've never done anything like that before lol.
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Jul 20, 2021 | 02:02 PM
  #4  
most of the time; it's the bracket or the nut that has broken off and is just spinning. if you can make the nut stationary by clamping it, then you can unscrew it.
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Jul 20, 2021 | 02:31 PM
  #5  
break the head off the one that won't budge, if you can. Or buy a cobalt drill bit(s) and drill off the head off it.

The one that is just spinning probably indicates that the push clip has broken off the plastic tab that holds it. So...that should just come off once the last screw is drilled out.

Then...
replace the metal push clips.

Buy some stainless steel screws.

Use anti-seize on them.

And screw the plate back on.
Reply 5
Jul 22, 2021 | 11:43 PM
  #6  
To directly answer your question, yes you can remove the whole license plate/reverse light assembly with your plate attached to only the bottom screws. Just 4 8mm bolts and unplug the reverse lights.

Once you do that bring it inside your house. Put on your tunes, work comfortably, maneuver the thing however you'd like. Get a look at the bolt from behind, use methods mentioned above.

You can try messing with it while it's on the car, wait for PB blaster to drip the right way with your trunk open all night, but why make life harder?
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Jul 24, 2021 | 01:22 PM
  #7  
Quote: To directly answer your question, yes you can remove the whole license plate/reverse light assembly with your plate attached to only the bottom screws. Just 4 8mm bolts and unplug the reverse lights.

Once you do that bring it inside your house. Put on your tunes, work comfortably, maneuver the thing however you'd like. Get a look at the bolt from behind, use methods mentioned above.

You can try messing with it while it's on the car, wait for PB blaster to drip the right way with your trunk open all night, but why make life harder?
So, I can take out the whole housing WITHOUT taking off the license plate? If that's the case, I figure it'd be easiest to dremel out all the existing hardware and just use rubber washers, nuts and such to hold the plate in place lol.
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Jul 24, 2021 | 07:10 PM
  #8  
The bottom bolts attach the plates to the license plate assembly/housing.
The top bolts attach the plates to the trunk lid.

Since your top bolts are not in use, you can remove the whole license plate assembly.
You can do whatever you want to get your old plates off, just take the whole thing inside and work on it.
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