My rusted license plate bolts broke off while trying to install our new plates. On typical car, one can see the nuts behind the bumper but on my Lexus, the nut seems to be inside the bumper. It appears the entire bumper has to be removed just to remove the nut, remaining bolt half and insert a new bolt/nut set. An expensive trip to the dealer!! Any ideas to help?!

 

I would just drill it out, you could try an easy out, but I doubt you could get it to bite into the old bolt. After you get it drilled out you can probably use a plastic screw and get it to bite into what's left in the hole.



Worth a shot:
http://www.sears.com/shc/s/search_10...actor&sLevel=0

 

I assume that you are talking about the front, correct? If so, I had your problem. Had to remove the bumper skin and special order the parts that hold the captive nuts. Poor design; moisture collects back there, causing rust.

 

Minn.- Plenty of rust back there right? I would order the parts 1st from the dealer and when you get them, sweet talk one of your male friends who knows something about working on a car (not JUST says he does) into taking the front bumper outer cover off and replacing them. I would suggest using some heavy grease on the threads as well as the outside of the clip to keep it from rusting since it's all hidden anyway. If you're married, get your husband to do it. I would do it for you free if you were a little closer, but I don't think the trip to Cal. would be worth it. Been married for 47 years so there is NO ulterior motive. It's not a hard job at all (I spent over 30 years in body work) but the rust back there makes it a little more of a challenge than in Cal.

 

My case has been different in the past. Almost on a yearly basis I can guarantee that the heads of the nylon screws that hold the back license plate will break off. So far, I have been lucky enough that a piece of the bolt shaft extends beyond the nut and I am able to grab a hold of it with a pliers and twist it off/out.

 

Mine broke off, too, and asked a service adviser at a Toyota dealership how he would handle it.

He suggested using self-tapping screws & drill right into the bumper... he even did it for me, no charge.

I was leery about the suggestion, but assured me that it would work, as long as I didn't over tighten the bolts.

 

If you are installing new mounting hardware, I'd suggest using stainless steel bolts. They are a standard metric size. I replaced mine about a year ago.