Hello,

My 01 LS430 is 99.9% rust free except for the rear trunk lid license plate bolts. The bolts were so badly rusted, that even shooting them with 2 blasts of PB didn't help. I ended up breaking the heads off the bolts. I tried removing the threads at that point and that didn't work. So finally, I am at the point where I tried drilling them out and I got about half an inch into the threaded fastener hole and my drill bit broke.

Without getting a new trunk, is there a way I can remove just the threaded holes and replace them? The license plate holes look like they are attached to the trunk and not just drilled into it. I took off the rear trunk lid carpet and saw that the threads go about 2 inches into the trunk lid. Is that piece removable and replaceable?

 

That threaded insert is a rivnut http://www.rivet-nut.com/Rivnut_Fasteners.asp

Its removable but I would be worried about damaging the paint on the trunk which would cause more rusting. If you can reach the threads of the bolt from the back side I would apply more PB and let it soak. See if you can get a visegrip on the bolt from the back side and thread it out.

 

Unfortunately, the screw didn't go all the way through.

Is the only alternative I have is to buy an extractor set and something to rethread the hole? I did put a small scratch on the paint when my drill bit slipped and broke. I can clean and touch that up later. I just need to get my plates back on the car before the popo pulls me over. I have my plate in my rear window but I imagine my luck will run out sooner or later.

 

Interesting, I ran into the same problem last night while exchanging the previous owners plates with mine. Both bolts broke off flush.


I ended up drilling out both broken bolts and re tapping for 1/4 x 28


Sorry don't know for sure if the threaded part is replaceable or not, it does look like an insert. Maybe a call to local Lexus dealer parts department could answer the question.

 

Had to go through the same thing. Ended up drilling the holes and replacing with bigger screws.
Maybe the lines of the LS430 pour directly into that spot, therefore the rust accumulates.

 

What type of drill bit were you using? High speed steel? Try a carbide drill bit. That will make mincemeat out of the steel fastener.