2nd Generation (GE 08-13) 2nd Generation specific talk and questions here.

Rear License Plate Holder - 2 Or 4 Screws?

  #1  
Old 10-22-2008, 09:46 AM
neteng101's Avatar
Member
5 Year Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: NJ
Posts: 577
Rear License Plate Holder - 2 Or 4 Screws?

Does everyone have 2 or 4 screws holding their rear license plate? I only have two - it seems the bottom two plastic thingies don't take the same screw size so they didn't bother putting in any at the dealership. Its a bit less secure that way, so I'm going to put on 2 screws I have that will fit - but does everyone's come with only 2 screws from the dealer?
 
  #2  
Old 10-22-2008, 10:05 AM
niko3257's Avatar
FitFreak GE8 DIY Guy
5 Year Member
iTrader: (3)
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Palm Coast FLA
Posts: 1,929
same here they put 2 silver screws on the top.
but then i found my front plate cover in the
spare tire compartment and found the other 2.
now i have all 4 and is very secure.
Florida=no front plate
 
  #3  
Old 10-22-2008, 10:16 AM
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Sudbury, ON, CANADA
Posts: 935
Same here. Dealer only installed 2 top screws and the bottom slots had plastic things in there. I couldn't stand the "clanging" (terrible roads up here) so rumaged through my basement and found 2 screws to fit in the bottom. Nice and secure now!
 
  #4  
Old 10-22-2008, 10:31 AM
Virtual's Avatar
Member
5 Year Member
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Quebec, Canada
Posts: 1,209
The dealer put all 4 in mine. It was tightened "off-center" and there was adhesive tape behind the plate which I cleaned off. Little details.
 
  #5  
Old 10-22-2008, 10:44 AM
lifthard1's Avatar
Member
5 Year Member
iTrader: (1)
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: bham alabama
Posts: 83
I have 4 in mine
 
  #6  
Old 10-22-2008, 11:10 AM
cranky18's Avatar
Member
5 Year Member
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Denton, Texas
Posts: 337
I had only two screws. The front were all hex head and the two back were phillips I went to Autozone and got a box of license plate screw

Same thing, couldn't stand the clanging back there.
 
  #7  
Old 10-22-2008, 11:28 AM
Goodguy-Fly's Avatar
Member
5 Year Member
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Mankato, MN
Posts: 333
Originally Posted by cranky18
I had only two screws. The front were all hex head and the two back were phillips I went to Autozone and got a box of license plate screw

Same thing, couldn't stand the clanging back there.
What makes license plate screws? Do they have galvanized screws or blank ones? That is what I will need.
 

Last edited by Goodguy-Fly; 12-04-2008 at 12:57 PM.
  #8  
Old 10-22-2008, 12:04 PM
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: SC
Posts: 81
They only put two in mine and on ruff roads it would make noise. I also found the screws in the bag with the front plat holder. No more noise on the same roads.
 
  #9  
Old 10-22-2008, 12:06 PM
JDMxGE8's Avatar
Member
5 Year Member
iTrader: (6)
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Temple City, CA
Posts: 5,658
I have two screws on the top.
 
  #10  
Old 10-22-2008, 12:07 PM
TheSaint's Avatar
Member
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: New Mexico
Posts: 73
Four in mine.
 
  #11  
Old 10-22-2008, 12:14 PM
cranky18's Avatar
Member
5 Year Member
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Denton, Texas
Posts: 337
Originally Posted by Goodguy-Fly
What makes them license plate screws? Do they have galvanized screws or blank ones? That is what I will need.
They have different sets. They are all plated. One set is sheet metal screws with plastic inserts, the others are machine screws with plastic inserts. They also have assorted. I used the machine screws with the inserts that were already in installed in the hatch.

Name:  JH-162020Screws.jpg
Views: 9527
Size:  37.6 KB

Name:  JH-185120Met.jpg
Views: 8685
Size:  59.7 KB

Name:  JH-63520Inserts.jpg
Views: 8120
Size:  42.0 KB

Edit:I actually used this screw. #14 Slotted truss head with dogpoint.

Name:  6HBVMCAPQ5XRQCAYJGI8PCAMNW0CUCA3MO5.jpg
Views: 7601
Size:  1.1 KB
 

Last edited by cranky18; 10-22-2008 at 12:42 PM. Reason: This is the correct screw
  #12  
Old 10-22-2008, 12:46 PM
CrystalFiveMT's Avatar
Member
5 Year Member
iTrader: (1)
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: New York State
Posts: 1,662
I've got 4 on my rear. Guess it depends on the dealer.
 
  #13  
Old 10-22-2008, 03:43 PM
dtmbmw325i's Avatar
Member
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: PA
Posts: 148
I have 4 in the rear plate I didn't look to see what size or kind they were. The fronts were black finished hex head with the "dog point" as cranky stated. I just took the front plate off today. Here in PA we also don't need a front plate. They put a dealership advert on it. On the rear they did the same thing with a decal, I used a hairdryer for that.
 
  #14  
Old 10-22-2008, 04:21 PM
barams's Avatar
Member
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Bay Area Cali
Posts: 133
i have two screws at the top. missing the bottom 2 screws.

i'm getting this rattle when i drive 75+ and i think it's the license holder banging around. anyone hear the same rattle?
 
  #15  
Old 10-22-2008, 04:25 PM
cranky18's Avatar
Member
5 Year Member
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Denton, Texas
Posts: 337
If it is coming from the back of the car it probably is. I heard it over bumps though. Put the screws in and see if it stops.
 
  #16  
Old 10-22-2008, 04:43 PM
BakedCookies's Avatar
Member
5 Year Member
iTrader: (16)
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: VA
Posts: 1,459
mine only has two, noticed the other two location at the bottom when i was removing the chrome dealer plate trim...
 
  #17  
Old 10-22-2008, 05:47 PM
neteng101's Avatar
Member
5 Year Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: NJ
Posts: 577
Originally Posted by cranky18
Edit:I actually used this screw. #14 Slotted truss head with dogpoint.
Are those just screws you found at a local hardware store or they were made specifically for holding license plates? I found that even a #8 could go into the slot, I suppose a #14 will be a tighter connection.
 
  #18  
Old 10-22-2008, 06:56 PM
cranky18's Avatar
Member
5 Year Member
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Denton, Texas
Posts: 337
Originally Posted by neteng101
Are those just screws you found at a local hardware store or they were made specifically for holding license plates? I found that even a #8 could go into the slot, I suppose a #14 will be a tighter connection.
They were from an auto part store (Auto Zone or O'Reilly's here) and the package says "License plate Screws" or something like that. I had some #8 screws but they were too small. It may be that there are different size inserts in the holes.
 
  #19  
Old 10-22-2008, 08:13 PM
neteng101's Avatar
Member
5 Year Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: NJ
Posts: 577
Finally went with #10 3/4" hex head sheet metal screws... they look much like the ones that go to hold the front plates. Definitely secure the license plate if you only have 2 screws... now its snug and won't bounce around.

 
  #20  
Old 11-29-2008, 06:05 PM
skygunnerblue's Avatar
Member
5 Year Member
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: CA
Posts: 53
Same problem here. 2 screws, 4 holes, and rattle when I close the hatch. Emailed the dealer to see if they'd send me 2 more.
 

Thread Tools
Search this Thread
Quick Reply: Rear License Plate Holder - 2 Or 4 Screws?



All times are GMT -4. The time now is 07:37 PM.