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Rear license plate bolt seized--Options?

R

RogerB

CEG'er
Joined
Oct 21, 2000
Messages
163
Location
Wichita, KS
It's a 96 Contour with the brass inserts, but one of the bolts is seized so when I try to loosen it, the whole brass insert is turning.

Is drilling it all out the only option? And then what do I use to replace?

Going to stainless bolts after this.

TIA.
 
I had that problem with my 95, IIRC I soaked in with penetrating oil on the outside and inside for a while, clamped vice grips down on the inside, and used a wrench out (had hex head\slotted bolts).
 
The pilot the brass insert sits inside is plastic. I bet the plastic is busted. Go from the back and grasp the brass insert tightly with a pair of vice grips while loosening the screws.
 
Long ago someone posted that he resolved the broken out threads with T-nuts, new bolts that fit the T-nuts, and epoxy to set the T-nuts into the plastic.

On a practical side, any time you have the license plate bolts out, use a little anti-seize compound so they don't corrode next time.
 
Another thing you can do is pop out the brass and break off the plastic so it's flat, and use a bolt and nut. I mean, how often do you need to take off your license plate? And this way no one will ever be able to steal it.
 
I tried grasping the back with pliers. I'll try it again with vise grips after a penetrant soaking. I have "Liquid Wrench" and was a little concerned about hurting the paint. If that fails, I'll try some of the other good ideas, here.

Thanks, guys.
 
RogerB said:
I tried grasping the back with pliers. I'll try it again with vise grips after a penetrant soaking. I have "Liquid Wrench" and was a little concerned about hurting the paint. If that fails, I'll try some of the other good ideas, here.

Thanks, guys.
Click to expand...

Pliers DEFINITELY aren't strong enough. I highly suggest the nut and bolt idea. I'll be doing it to my car next time I have to take my plate off.
 
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