Blade223

I went to put on a new license plate frame and the screws holding my plate wouldn't budge. I tried WD-40 and was able to loosen one of them just a bit but they are really stuck.

Any suggestions on how to get them out?
The screw is already getting stripped as I try to turn it.

bclexus

Are the screws hex head that require a socket or are they Phillips head that requires a screwdriver?

AL13NV8D3R

There are tools sold at hardware stores that help remove stripped screws. What these tools do is dig into the screw and remove them aggressivly thus destroying the screw itself but gets the job done.

Ford1776

Gat a Phillips screwdriver about a foot long and you will get it out

ItzFilyO

U can try one of these:




Get that sucka out before it starts to rust!

zicogold

I had the same problem last year for license renewal time. After a few days and lots of WD-40 I took the car to the Lexus dealer and with a pneumatic wrench and a couple of tries the bolts came off. The tech then applied a copper based spray before installing the bolts. Anyone know what the spray might be?

ItzFilyO

Could be an Anti-Seize spray like this one.



People spray these stuff to coilovers too to prevent seizing.

NTH

WD40 is good for squeaky doors, not frozen or corroded fasteners. Try something that'll actually creep into crevices like Kroil. I've heard good things about Liquid Wrench too, but Kroil from Kano Lab never fails.

marjenmill

The GS is shipped with masking tape over the license plate nuts and if the dealer just screwed the bolts in with the tape there instead of taking the tape off first, the screws will end up stripping.

Happened to me (dumb dealer).

They fixed mine - probably just re-tapped the holes.

Liquid Wrench should help or take it to the dealer. Once you get them off, put some anti-seize on the bolts before putting them in.

bclexus

Having the license plate off (probably along with a license plate frame), it is a good time to install some (3~4) self-adhesive felt bumper pads on the backside of the bottom portion of the license plate. This will eliminate any potential bagging or rattle noise from the license plate/frame banging against the trunk's body on a rough road or when closing the trunk.

bclexus

This is the type of hex head screw most dealerships use to install license plates and frames. I really don't see how such a screw could become so stuck that it couldn't easily be removed with the leverage from using a socket and ratchet.

ThomasGS4

iTrader: (19)

bclexus, I'd imagine the OP has phillips head style screws.

This happened on a previous vehicle I owned - the screw had rusted slightly, thus becoming stuck.

Joeb427

iTrader: (1)

Stainless steel screws.

tiguy99

Have this problem now...gonna try something like vampliers...pb blaster loosened the bolt. Now it just turns but won't lift up

lamikela1

I always use stainless steel socket head machine screws (Allen Screws). This way I never have problems removing them. Also that tip about the felt bumper pads is a good one. I always add these pads to my plates so they don't dig into the painted surface on the trunk or rattle. I usually use the soft rubber ones but the felt will work just as well.