License plate bracket installation

Front plates can also help the average person ID a car behind them in their mirror, or one that is otherwise only seen from the front, like a car turning across you in an intersection. But by that rationale, why don't we have side license plates?

We can't cover every state's statutes, but in California, the state with the most cars, the vehicle code says a front plate must be:. Those two alone will likely get you a ticket if you try the common trick of just tossing your plate on your dash. On premium and sporty cars, there's often a little access panel on the front bumper cover that leads to a large threaded socket.

This is used to thread a towing eye to haul the car up onto a flatbed tow truck. But the other The tow eye mount uses a threaded hole on the front of many sporty and premium cars to instead thread in a license plate holder. You need to be OK with a plate that is offset from center. These still require you drill holes in the front of your car, but not in a place that will be seen. They are right-angle metal brackets that screw into a downward-facing part of your car's nose and then offer a forward-facing metal plate to attach your plate to.

If you remove the mount later, no holes will be visible. Don't be fooled by these; they aren't meant for the kind of license plate mounting you're trying to do. See if you can exchange it for the correct bracket.

Remove the protective film and press the bracket to the bumper. Screw the license plate onto the bracket. Once the bracket is in place, you can align its holes with the holes in your license plate. If your product includes a license plate frame, place it over the license plate and align its holes with those in the bracket and plate. Drive the screws clockwise through the holes to complete installation.

Method 3. Locate and remove the plastic panel that covers the tow hook anchor. Many models have a plastic plate in the front bumper that you can press and pop out. It conceals a tow hook anchor, and license plate brackets are available with a threaded stud that drives into the anchor.

Grab the tow hook stud included in your kit and insert the threaded end into the anchor slot. Drive the bolt through the holes in the bracket and tow hook stud. Align the hole in the bracket plate with the hole in the tow hook stud. Your kit includes a bolt that fits through these holes. Locate it and drive it through the holes to attach the bracket plate to the tow hook stud.

Attach the license plate to the bracket. If your product includes a license plate frame, remember to place it over the plate and drive the screws clockwise through both the plate and the frame.

Method 4. Check if you have a fiberglass or metal bumper. Drilling into metal is more complicated than drilling into fiberglass. If you have a chrome bumper, you might want to try a no-drill method if you've never drilled into metal.

If you do want to try drilling into a chrome bumper, you'll need to take a few more steps and use special tools. You'll need a center punch, a bit made for drilling into metal, a countersink bit, and safety glasses. Align the license plate bracket with the center of your front bumper. Make guide marks through the holes in the bracket. Use a center punch and a special drill bit for chrome bumpers.

After marking the spots on the chrome where you'll need to drill, hammer your center punch into the spots to make indentations. It's wise to add lubricating oil to the indentations to reduce friction and heat.

Wear safety glasses to protect your eyes. Hold your drill with a bit made for drilling into metal perfectly perpendicular to the surface. Use firm, steady pressure to drill into the chrome. After you drill the holes, switch to a countersink bit and rotate it 3 to 4 revolutions to smooth sharp metal burrs from the hole's leading edge.

Mount the bracket to the bumper. Drive screws clockwise through the bracket into the bumper. Drive screws clockwise through the holes to secure the license plate and complete installation. If I screw the license plate directly into my bumper, do I need to worry about rust? If so, is there a way to prevent rust? Put four appropriately-sized washers into fingernail polish and let dry. Once done drying, put behind the license plate on the screw.

Read below about how to properly install the mounting bracket! Rattle free, anti-vibration rubber stops and mounting spacers protect your vehicle. Guaranteed for a minimum of 4 years of exterior use. Align the two enclosed Phillips 10x1" screws red box through the second row of holes down from the top of the mounting plate red arrows.

These holes will have the rubber spacers on the backside. Using a Phillips head screwdriver, turn both screws in a clockwise direction all the way in until they are seated firmly against the plate.

Do not overtighten. Once tight, the mounting bracket plate assembly with rubber spaces should stay firmly in place against the bumper fascia. To mount your front license plate, use a Phillips head screwdriver and the four stainless steel license plate mounting screws included yellow box.