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2003-2009 Nissan 350Z

License Plate screws won't come off!

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Old Sep 1, 2005 | 11:41 PM
  #1  
gsazabi's Avatar
gsazabi
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From: 818 So.Cal
Default License Plate screws won't come off!

After 8 weeks of waiting, I finally received my customized license plate.
So naturally, I proceeded to replace the dealer plate with my new
license plate...
I get my trusty philips screw driver and start unscrewing the screw...
After a few turns I notice the screw isn't coming out even 1mm...
Luckily I was right outside my local sound shop where I got my stereo done
so I decided to ask for help...
And after 20 minutes of struggle and countless spins with electric
screwdriver, and every other way to get it out,
the piece of crap STILL DOESN'T COME OUT!!!

Can a man put on his license plate for god's sake?
I plan to take it in to my local dealer tomorrow morning...and
they better do it for free err...
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Old Sep 2, 2005 | 04:24 AM
  #2  
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From: Orlando
Angry

just had the same problem!!!! had to cut the head of the screw off.... damaged my plate!!!!
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Old Sep 2, 2005 | 05:27 AM
  #3  
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Damn, that sucks! Good luck!
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Old Sep 2, 2005 | 06:26 AM
  #4  
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Is this teh back or front?
Is it with the standard plastic frame?
Pictures would help, it might get you and answer instead of taking it to the dealer.
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Old Sep 2, 2005 | 08:57 AM
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I had thesame problem with my bro's car. what I did was superglue the tip of my screw driver and attached it to the screw that wont come out. after a minute or so I tried pulling it out while unscrewing it, It works for me maybe you should try it also
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Old Sep 2, 2005 | 09:21 AM
  #6  
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From: Southern California
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i guess you have the special theft resistant screws so ppl can steal yer plates hahaha jk
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Old Sep 2, 2005 | 09:41 AM
  #7  
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From: Dobbs Ferry, NY
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I had the same problem here. The rear screws rusted very bad. I soaked them with WD40 and after a week, I was able to remove them, I have since replaced them with Stainless. The fronts had to be cut off. Luckily, my front place bracket was fastened on with ty-wraps. I just cut them, and removed the entire bracket. I then cut the bolts from the rear. I also replaced them with stainless.. The hardware from Japan is pure garbage...

Steve (k2we) Dobbs Ferry & saratoga Springs, NY 36,041 miles since Sept 17,2002
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Old Sep 2, 2005 | 11:33 AM
  #8  
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It sounds like your threading has stripped. Try pulling on the screw head while turning it CCW.
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Old Sep 2, 2005 | 12:43 PM
  #9  
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Just came back from the dealer rite now.
They unscrewed the screws and put on my new plate and frame for me.
It was the rear license plate BTW.
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Old Nov 8, 2005 | 01:46 PM
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I just got my new plates today, but I have the same problem with one of my license plate screws. I was reading this thread and super glue?? cutting the head of the screw off?? c'mon guys there's gotta be an easier way. My right one comes off fine, but the left screw (for the rear) just keeps turning and turning and doesn't seem to be doing anything besides turning. I am going to get my drill and see if it will come out. lol i've never had a problem like this before
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Old Nov 8, 2005 | 02:48 PM
  #11  
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My front plates came out ok. But my back one was a B*t(h. I had to go to dealer for them to take it off.
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Old Nov 8, 2005 | 03:29 PM
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Aahh crap... lol. I bought my '05 a year ago and haven't touched the plates since (I still have factory plates on). Looks like I'll probably have the same problem. Anything else you guys would recommend besides taking it to the dealer?
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Old Nov 8, 2005 | 03:30 PM
  #13  
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i had the same problem too, but luckly i still had my temp. plate so i just tore it off and got it out.
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Old Nov 8, 2005 | 03:38 PM
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here is what i found on an 06. my dealer put philips head screws in the rear plate. problem is that nissan's two holders are nuts which requires a bolt thread pattern. i found out when i put my permanent plate on and the screws wouldnt go all the way in because its a freaking nut. i took one of the holder clips off and brought it into a parts store and found the right bolt thread. i ended up having to use one of the bolts as a tap and retap the threads in the nut so it would take the bolt. then used the proper bolt/thread that matched the nuts in the plate clip. not sure what they had on previous years but that is just stupid to put a screw in a nut. not sure wtf the dealer was thinking but it made it a pain in the azz to fix and my car was only a week old. so its possible that other dealers have put a screw into a nut and messed up the threads on the receiving nut.
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Old Nov 8, 2005 | 04:59 PM
  #15  
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I had my daddy do it for me and install the Zee Bracket too.
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Old Nov 8, 2005 | 05:21 PM
  #16  
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From: AKRON, OHIO
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Originally Posted by GreenEnvy
I had my daddy do it for me and install the Zee Bracket too.
^^GIRLS!!!!!
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Old Nov 9, 2005 | 05:51 AM
  #17  
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my back plate came off but DAM it wasnt easy and screwing it back in to make it tight is now well impossible.

Plus the screw they used is a big wood screw, so i had to go to the hardware store and get a legitmate "bolt" cuz its a bolt thread not a screw thread, then use this glue type thing on the bolt and tight it and it wont come loose.

Then the dam metal liscenes plate frame would shake and hit the back of the car on bumps, makeing a rattling noise so i then had to go and buy these littel rubber spunges with glue on one side and ptu them there so it cant rattle.

Over all the back end of the liscenes plate pissed me off, good news Z bracket workd like a charm.
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Old Jun 14, 2006 | 10:45 AM
  #18  
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all ive heard how to get them off was take it to the dealer, but come on, its a liscence plate you shouldnt have to take it to the dealer, but i still cant get mine out, any one take em out themselves and got some tips?
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Old Jun 14, 2006 | 10:50 AM
  #19  
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I would recommend spraying them with some wd-40. let it soak in also.
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Old Jun 14, 2006 | 11:00 AM
  #20  
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Originally Posted by stinkboy
here is what i found on an 06. my dealer put philips head screws in the rear plate. problem is that nissan's two holders are nuts which requires a bolt thread pattern. i found out when i put my permanent plate on and the screws wouldnt go all the way in because its a freaking nut. i took one of the holder clips off and brought it into a parts store and found the right bolt thread. i ended up having to use one of the bolts as a tap and retap the threads in the nut so it would take the bolt. then used the proper bolt/thread that matched the nuts in the plate clip. not sure what they had on previous years but that is just stupid to put a screw in a nut. not sure wtf the dealer was thinking but it made it a pain in the azz to fix and my car was only a week old. so its possible that other dealers have put a screw into a nut and messed up the threads on the receiving nut.
in my experience, this is exactly what happened. i had to take it to the dealer and they ended up tearing up the hole behind the license plate. it was the metal part too so it was all jagged. worse was that they put the plate back on and gave the car back without telling me it was damaged. this was on my interlagos fire by the way.
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