W15 Body help

[Goliath27]

Anyone know how to remove the Rear License plate holder on a W215 CL? I need to replace the Screw fasteners for the License plate because they are just spinning in place and I cannot remove the plate.



It is part number 170 in the picture and when I removed the trunk lining, I seen the two bolts holding it in place, But the bolts are not the normal screw on bolts. Part 180 is labelled as a RIVETED NUT, and If the removal of it means that I need to cut the screws off from the L.Plates, I will.

Anyone have an idea on how to properly remove this so I can try and repair my License Plate screw anchors?


Thanks in Advance.


ALi

[Johnhef]

You're going to have to grind them off- this happens alot.

[Goliath27]

JOHN!!!!!!

It was GREAT meeting you this weekend bro, Real good time at MIR.

I'll update you soon as I get them off, any idea what to replace the Screw anchors with? My plates still need to go on lol


ALi

[Johnhef]

actually I had an after thought, try gripping them with vice grips and unscrewing them if at all possible.

we usually replace that whole rear piece with the anchors in it when screws break off in it.

[Goliath27]

Tried that, or do you mean AFTER I take the insert off?

I'm searching for the inserts for teh new screws but dont know what they are called, any tips?

ALi

[Goliath27]

Woah, who changed my User Title looool, myMB FTMFW!!!!!!!


ALi

[Johnhef]

Nah, that was for the way it is now. You may have to replace the whole rear panel after cutting off the screws. The inserts for a 215 arent available seperatly since they are molded into the plastic- also why MB makes the panel replaceable as well instead of part of the lid itself.

If you can figure out a way to drill them out -or- once its off, remove the rear panel, remove the inserts and then bolt the tag to the panel first and then reattach it to the car, thats the route I'd probably go for.

[Goliath27]

will do. I'll keep ya posted for sure!!!! appreciate all the help bro.


ALi

[tinypanzer]

I dunno about this particular setup, but if they are the usual nylon screw holders that you see, then getting the screws out shouldn't be too hard.


Here's the trick - you have to get something under the screw head and lift as you back off the screw. At some point, the threads will grab the nylon again and it will begin to unscrew normally. Try getting a paint scraper under the head of the screw and prying up as you back off the screw. If there's any way to lift up on the screw using the license plate, that would work too. Another way is to get a thin gauge guitar string under there and loop it. You then have a nice noose around the screw that you can pull on as you unscrew.

I suspect the problem here is that the screw threads taper off as the shaft of the screw meets the head. Once the screw gets in that far, there's nothing to engage the threads of the worn nylon screw holder. Usually all you have to do is get it out a little and the threads engage again and work.

If no dice, then vice grips as suggested earlier are a good bet.

If you use washers to prevent the screws going in so far, you might not need to replace the screw holders.


This advice is based on my experience with other cars, I suspect but am not 100% sure that it pertains to this car as well.

Good luck!


-tp

[Goliath27]

Originally Posted by tinypanzer

I dunno about this particular setup, but if they are the usual nylon screw holders that you see, then getting the screws out shouldn't be too hard.


Here's the trick - you have to get something under the screw head and lift as you back off the screw. At some point, the threads will grab the nylon again and it will begin to unscrew normally. Try getting a paint scraper under the head of the screw and prying up as you back off the screw. If there's any way to lift up on the screw using the license plate, that would work too. Another way is to get a thin gauge guitar string under there and loop it. You then have a nice noose around the screw that you can pull on as you unscrew.

I suspect the problem here is that the screw threads taper off as the shaft of the screw meets the head. Once the screw gets in that far, there's nothing to engage the threads of the worn nylon screw holder. Usually all you have to do is get it out a little and the threads engage again and work.

If no dice, then vice grips as suggested earlier are a good bet.

If you use washers to prevent the screws going in so far, you might not need to replace the screw holders.


This advice is based on my experience with other cars, I suspect but am not 100% sure that it pertains to this car as well.

Good luck!


-tp

Thank you for the input, but I have tried and Failed at those steps lol. The plate looks like **** due to all of those efforts haha.

I'm just fed up with it, time to fix it.

ALi

[Johnhef]

theyre metal inserts. dissimilar metals between the holder and the screw have become one and fused together.

if you get a new one, use the right thread this time- its a fine thread pitch, I can show you a pic or mail you some or something haha.

[Goliath27]

lol relax NooB. These were in the car when I bought it lol. I have a set of new screws, very fine thread pitch lol


Thanks again J


ALi

[Johnhef]

ah so the tags wernt yours ? i can see you explaining that to the cop now hahahah.

[Goliath27]

hahaahah no no, the screws came on and off fine. when I added a Smoked Plate cover, and then tried removing it..... it got stuck


fail


ALi

[Johnhef]

alright dude well good luck, catch ya over on AD.