I just moved to a different state and recently got a new license plate. How do I take off my old one? There are bolts that won't come off with a wrench.
2006-09-16 11:42:55 · 18 answers · asked by Kate F 3 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Insurance & Registration
Go up to the garage at the corner, wear a short skirt, bat your eyes, and ask the mechanic for help.
Works every time.
2006-09-16 15:06:13 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
The usual ones that I have encountered on Ford, Chevy, and old Dodge are easy. They are Philips head screws that go into little plastic plugs that have a hole they tap into. They just twist out and can never rust into position because the metal screw doesn't touch metal.
Occasionally someone replaces those factory parts with a nut and bolt - which might rust tight. If the two don't twist apart try putting on a penetrating oil and tap on them to get it to go inside by the threads. Let it sit for a while and then try turning again.
If the problem is that you can't get a wrench to fit them. try a vise-grip pliers to grab the head and twist it that way.
If nothing like that works drill a small hole in the center of the bolt. Follow that up with a 1/4 drill bit that will cut away all of the bolt by putting the drill's point in that little hole you made first. That will destroy the bolt and the plates will drop off. Alternatively if you don't have a drill but have a cold chisel, hold its edge flat against the bolt head and whack it with a hammer to slice off the head.
If none of that works but you have a drill, then drill a couple of new holes for self-tapping screws anywhere near the top edge of the new plate to hold the new plate over the old one.
If you can't succeeded with any of those DIY ideas then give up and bring the car plus the new plate to a neighborhood garage and pay them to attach your plate for you.
2006-09-16 11:59:46 · answer #2 · answered by Rich Z 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
First, make sure you're trying to turn the bolts to the left. If they won't budge, they may have rusted in place. You'll need something to get them unstuck. PB Blaster is a product you can get at a hardware store that loosens bolts. It's a spray that you spray on the bolt, and then it's easier to turn the bolt with a wrench.
2006-09-16 11:47:03 · answer #3 · answered by stevejensen 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
put some liquid wrench on the screws for a few hours, the put a wrench on the nut behind the plate so it will not turn then turn the front screw till it comes off.
2006-09-16 11:46:53 · answer #4 · answered by Ibredd 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Before you attempt taking a license plate off of a vehicle, I suggest you build up your skills so that you can avoid any injury. To start, try using a can opener to take the lid off of a soup can. When you get that down, practice replacing the batteries in any remote control in your house. Try to remember to put the plus and negative ends of the batteries in the correct order. After you've mastered that feat, try using your brain for longer than twenty minutes in a constant mode of thinking. Good Luck!
2006-09-16 11:50:53 · answer #5 · answered by captainjackncoke 1 · 1⤊ 2⤋
You'll have to describe the "bolts" a little better. Is there a little hole in them? Is the hole square? star shaped? Does the wrench make the "bolt" turn, but not come out??
2006-09-16 11:45:35 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
If the screws are rusted, spray some WD40 oil on them and let them sit for awhile. Then take the screwdriver and remove the plates.
2006-09-16 11:45:38 · answer #7 · answered by Decoy Duck 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They should come off with either a wrench or a screwdriver!
2006-09-16 11:45:33 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sounds like a rust problem. A few squirts of WD-40 should help.
2006-09-16 11:51:44 · answer #9 · answered by GAB & R 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
on some cars you have to have a wrench on both sides to hold one side while you turn the other side
2006-09-16 11:46:18 · answer #10 · answered by kingkong9274 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋