Rear Numperplate on a CLK

[SQ_W211]

Hello All,

I have a slight problem, I ordered a new set of number plates for my CLK W208 but the rear plate has 4 small bolts screwed into the boot lid, I have tried to unscrew them but it doesn't seem to come out at all. It has become loose now and I can turn it with my hand but it doesn't come out.

Does anyone know how to remove these bolts? If i stick the plates on top of them then there will be a slight gap behind the plate and it doesn't look very professional.

any help will be much appreciated.

thanks in advance

 

[Blobcat]

I expect that the captivated nut in the boot lid has come loose on one or more of the bolts. This happens if the bolts corrode into the nuts and can be a pain to remove. I cut up my old plate on my last car so I could get some snipe nose mole grips onto the nut and hold that to unscrew the bolt. It is a messy job cutting up the plate, I used a dremel tool to do it. As for replacement I then fitted the number plate surrounds which I had free from my local dealer and held it on with 3 of the bolts and glued the other nut in place then clipped the new plate into the surround.

 

[SQ_W211]

Thanks, I have already removed the plate as the previous dealer had screwed some new holes to fit the plates, the Captivated Nuts are still intact i am trying to remove them so that i can stick the new plates with the double sided tape and get the flushed finish as otherwise the plate will sit higher in the middle due to these nuts.

any ideas on how i can remove these nuts? As i said before i have managed to loosen one of them by using pliers but it doesnt come out and keeps turning freely in the same place now. Do i need to remove the boot trim to remove these Nutz?

 

[television]

You must check to see if the captive nuts/pillars are turning when you turn the screws if they are then drill the flange off from the rear, a replacement stand off pillar can be made can be by using a bolt and 2 nuts.

I f you get the MB numberplate holders then it is a simple job as these are screwed into the existing captive pillers and the number does not need tape or screws

 

[SQ_W211]

Thanks Malcolm, I can see the back pillar moving. I think its because they are wedged on the boot lid. Sorry to sound dumb but i don't follow what you advising with the Drill from the rear. Does this mean i have to take the back trim off which is held by the black clips which usualy break when open the trim.

Anywho, I think i will just stick them on top or these captive nutz and try to sand them down a bit so that they dont make the plate stick out too much from the middle.

thanks guys

 

[television]

OK if you do not want to remove the trim,, you could spray some WD40 onto the offending screw and try and hold the revolving pillar with a pair of thin nosed pliers.

It was a bad mistake to use screws made out of metal on the opposite ends of the voltage scale, and its this that causes the problem. You could also wriggle the pillar with a pair of plies and pull it off,, then use a nut and bolt as Blobcat did, with just a nut as a spacer the same length. replace the others with stainless steel.

Do touch up any bare metal to avoid any rust

 

[television]

Another thing that you could do is if you get the number plate holders free from most dealers or £5 to buy you could make a keyhole type slot where the offending screw is and slide the holder over that screw,, then the other 3 screws will hold it in place. these holders are pre drilled for the car back and front

 

[JEZ.S320L]

I have 'binned' the idea of screwing number plates onto the holders, and now just use the special double-sided tape. Look neater too.!

 

[SQ_W211]

Arrrggghhhhh. after alot of grinding by a metal sander and alot of scratches on my fingers i have finally managed to fit the plates on the back. They look amazing as they should after so much of hard work. The trim is very very eazy to remove however the captive nutz are pain in the back to remove as you can only put socket on to one side as the other side is round which cannot be held with anything without damaging any paintwork. In the end i gave up and used a metal sander and grinded the captive bolts and also took a little sanded the numberplates where they sit on the captive bolts. All worked ok in the end.

what a releif

Thanks guys for all your advise