# Lic Plate mounting nuts and bolts (that embedded in the plastic bumper) **URL:** \ **Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\ **Tags:** corolla, toyota\ **Created:** [August 19, 2024, 5:05am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/lic-plate-mounting-nuts-and-bolts-that-embedded-in-the-plastic-bumper/195842 "2024-08-19T05:05:30Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![sciconf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/919ad9/32.png) [@sciconf](https://community.cartalk.com/u/sciconf)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2024, 5:05am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/lic-plate-mounting-nuts-and-bolts-that-embedded-in-the-plastic-bumper/195842/1 "2024-08-19T05:05:30Z")
2009 Corolla One of the Lic plate bolt tightens but beyond certain point, it just rotates! Any fix? For the other side, the bolt that is embedded in the plastic bumper - there is a V-shaped crack and the whole thing is out - right now the purpose is to just push it in. Can it be fixed? The bumper plastic might not be thick! It turns out the lic plate bracket also supports the lower grille. Grille is otherwise relys on clips. Unsure if the Lic Plat will withstand road vibration. It has help for the past 6 months. Just flattened the bent lic plate and put it back for now. ---
**Author:** ![ledhed75](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/f6c823/32.png) [@ledhed75](https://community.cartalk.com/u/ledhed75)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2024, 10:23am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/lic-plate-mounting-nuts-and-bolts-that-embedded-in-the-plastic-bumper/195842/2 "2024-08-19T10:23:20Z")
I suspect the “fix” is a new bumper, or bumper cover. Personally, I’d either leave it alone…or try using a bolt with a lock washer and nut. Of course, the trick will be if you can reach around the back side of the bumper to put on the bolt. You could also try using a slightly larger bolt. ---
**Author:** ![jtsanders](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/c2a13f/32.png) [@jtsanders](https://community.cartalk.com/u/jtsanders)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2024, 12:35pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/lic-plate-mounting-nuts-and-bolts-that-embedded-in-the-plastic-bumper/195842/3 "2024-08-19T12:35:06Z")
Is the bolt head in the loose bot exposed? If so, you could reglue it. ---
**Author:** ![cigroller](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c68b51/32.png) [@cigroller](https://community.cartalk.com/u/cigroller)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2024, 2:53pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/lic-plate-mounting-nuts-and-bolts-that-embedded-in-the-plastic-bumper/195842/4 "2024-08-19T14:53:39Z")
Can you post some pictures? I’m sure there are some reasonably easy things you can do, but I’ve never looked at the lic plate mounting on a '09 Corolla ---
**Author:** ![Rod-Knox](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/a183cd/32.png) [@Rod-Knox](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Rod-Knox)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2024, 3:39pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/lic-plate-mounting-nuts-and-bolts-that-embedded-in-the-plastic-bumper/195842/5 "2024-08-19T15:39:53Z")
If there is a dense polyfoam behind the plastic these might work > **[Amazon.com. Spend less. Smile more.](https://www.amazon.com/)** > > Free shipping on millions of items. Get the best of Shopping and Entertainment with Prime. Enjoy low prices and great deals on the largest selection of everyday essentials and other products, including fashion, home, beauty, electronics, Alexa... I’ve glued them into loose polyfoam to attach tags try this [![](https://ae01.alicdn.com/kf/HTB140mhlN1YBuNjy1zcq6zNcXXaB/50pcs-Screws-Set-6-x-30mm-Self-tapping-Screws-Small-Yellow-Fix-Screw-Plug-Pipe-Plastic.jpg) ](https://ae01.alicdn.com/kf/HTB140mhlN1YBuNjy1zcq6zNcXXaB/50pcs-Screws-Set-6-x-30mm-Self-tapping-Screws-Small-Yellow-Fix-Screw-Plug-Pipe-Plastic.jpg) ---
**Author:** ![sciconf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/919ad9/32.png) [@sciconf](https://community.cartalk.com/u/sciconf)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2024, 4:41pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/lic-plate-mounting-nuts-and-bolts-that-embedded-in-the-plastic-bumper/195842/6 "2024-08-19T16:41:32Z")
> [@jtsanders](#): > > Is the bolt head in the loose bot exposed? If so, you could reglue it. Yes, Once the first is unscrewed, the 2nd will come off the broken slot - thread is not damaged. What glue will work? ---
**Author:** ![weekend-warrior](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/weekend-warrior/32/26122_2.png) [@weekend-warrior](https://community.cartalk.com/u/weekend-warrior)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2024, 7:23pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/lic-plate-mounting-nuts-and-bolts-that-embedded-in-the-plastic-bumper/195842/7 "2024-08-19T19:23:12Z")
For the one that screws in and then spins you can try some blue Loctite. For the other one, maybe this would work… [Well Nuts: Installation, Removal & Strength Demo (youtube.com)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UfuNJZZUBPY&t=2s) ---
**Author:** ![art1966](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/77aa72/32.png) [@art1966](https://community.cartalk.com/u/art1966)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2024, 7:27pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/lic-plate-mounting-nuts-and-bolts-that-embedded-in-the-plastic-bumper/195842/8 "2024-08-19T19:27:05Z")
Wow! What a cool invention! Thanks for the tip. ---
**Author:** ![cigroller](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c68b51/32.png) [@cigroller](https://community.cartalk.com/u/cigroller)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2024, 7:53pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/lic-plate-mounting-nuts-and-bolts-that-embedded-in-the-plastic-bumper/195842/9 "2024-08-19T19:53:17Z")
> [@weekend-warrior](#): > > blue Loctite. That would likely work, tho I’d be inclined to step it down a level - there’s a “purple” that is weaker, but would be plenty to hold a license plate. Either way, if you use a fastener adhesive I’d want the bolt to have a hex or torx head (no phillips and certainly no slotted). This is just b/c you likely will need to remove it at some point. ---
**Author:** ![jtsanders](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/c2a13f/32.png) [@jtsanders](https://community.cartalk.com/u/jtsanders)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2024, 9:36pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/lic-plate-mounting-nuts-and-bolts-that-embedded-in-the-plastic-bumper/195842/10 "2024-08-19T21:36:07Z")
It would be better to see a picture of the hole and bolt to offer a good recommendation. Without that, I suggest a two part epoxy. Mix it up and slather it onto the hole. It’s OK if you completely cover the hole. Put some tape on the bolt threads and then push it through the hole. Wipe off any extra epoxy. Make sure that the epoxy is pushed well into the space between the bolt and the bumper. You should put a block on the bolt head and then use a furniture clamp to hold the block firmly in the bolt and bumper. Leave it there for as long as the epoxy package says to. Pull the tape off and thread the nut on the bolt. ---
**Author:** ![Nevada\_545](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/nevada_545/32/41232_2.png) [@Nevada\_545](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Nevada_545)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2024, 11:08pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/lic-plate-mounting-nuts-and-bolts-that-embedded-in-the-plastic-bumper/195842/11 "2024-08-19T23:08:12Z")
The front license plate bracket is attached to the front bumper cover with sheet metal screws. The common solution to the problem is to use larger sheet metal screws and do not over tighten, it’s only plastic. ![image](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/original/3X/c/d/cde67e6bb9f51d30e19fafd300d2a2823f221a2b.jpeg) ---
**Author:** ![MikeInNH](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a587f6/32.png) [@MikeInNH](https://community.cartalk.com/u/MikeInNH)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2024, 12:55pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/lic-plate-mounting-nuts-and-bolts-that-embedded-in-the-plastic-bumper/195842/12 "2024-08-20T12:55:56Z")
Check Lowes or Home-Depot (or what ever home improvement store in your area is). I had a similar problem and in the fastener section with the pull-out drawers, they had a pull out drawer with different types of fixes for this. ---
**Author:** ![nofyfb\_180405](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/22d042/32.png) [@nofyfb\_180405](https://community.cartalk.com/u/nofyfb_180405)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2024, 2:27am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/lic-plate-mounting-nuts-and-bolts-that-embedded-in-the-plastic-bumper/195842/13 "2024-08-23T02:27:18Z")
My Tundra didn’t even have holes for front plate so I drilled the holes and used drywall anchors. Work like a charm. ---
**Author:** ![PvtPublic](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/pvtpublic/32/13089_2.png) [@PvtPublic](https://community.cartalk.com/u/PvtPublic)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2024, 9:24am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/lic-plate-mounting-nuts-and-bolts-that-embedded-in-the-plastic-bumper/195842/14 "2024-08-23T09:24:43Z")
All my previous Toyotas even had little dimples to mark where to drill for sheet metal or self tapping screws. ---
**Author:** ![nofyfb\_180405](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/22d042/32.png) [@nofyfb\_180405](https://community.cartalk.com/u/nofyfb_180405)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2024, 1:24pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/lic-plate-mounting-nuts-and-bolts-that-embedded-in-the-plastic-bumper/195842/15 "2024-08-23T13:24:50Z")
As banksters put it, “_Past performance is no guarantee of future results_” ---
**Author:** ![George\_San\_Jose1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e5b9ba/32.png) [@George\_San\_Jose1](https://community.cartalk.com/u/George_San_Jose1)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2024, 8:12pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/lic-plate-mounting-nuts-and-bolts-that-embedded-in-the-plastic-bumper/195842/16 "2024-08-23T20:12:07Z")
> [@nofyfb\_180405](#): > > My Tundra didn’t even have holes for front plate so I drilled the holes One of the Car Talk puzzlers in days of yore went something like: Cars come in many sizes and shapes, but there’s one dimension that is the same on every car in the USA. What is it? ---
**Author:** ![nofyfb\_180405](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/22d042/32.png) [@nofyfb\_180405](https://community.cartalk.com/u/nofyfb_180405)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2024, 8:24pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/lic-plate-mounting-nuts-and-bolts-that-embedded-in-the-plastic-bumper/195842/17 "2024-08-23T20:24:11Z")
If you are implying that it’s licence plate bracket size, you maybe correct. With the exception of vehicles that don’t have it. But if they did, it would be of standard size. LOL ---
**Author:** ![George\_San\_Jose1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e5b9ba/32.png) [@George\_San\_Jose1](https://community.cartalk.com/u/George_San_Jose1)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2024, 8:26pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/lic-plate-mounting-nuts-and-bolts-that-embedded-in-the-plastic-bumper/195842/18 "2024-08-23T20:26:02Z")
> [@nofyfb\_180405](#): > > licence plate bracket size Not the bracket so much. They said it was the distance between the two holes that fit the license plate. Apparently that’s the same everywhere, all states in the USA… ---
**Author:** ![nofyfb\_180405](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/22d042/32.png) [@nofyfb\_180405](https://community.cartalk.com/u/nofyfb_180405)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2024, 8:35pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/lic-plate-mounting-nuts-and-bolts-that-embedded-in-the-plastic-bumper/195842/19 "2024-08-23T20:35:47Z")
Right. Except cases when there are no holes at all. Like on my Tundra. BTW, not all states require front licence plates. ---
**Author:** ![George\_San\_Jose1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e5b9ba/32.png) [@George\_San\_Jose1](https://community.cartalk.com/u/George_San_Jose1)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2024, 8:50pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/lic-plate-mounting-nuts-and-bolts-that-embedded-in-the-plastic-bumper/195842/20 "2024-08-23T20:50:04Z")
It’s amazing that every single state agreed. [Next page](https://community.cartalk.com/t/lic-plate-mounting-nuts-and-bolts-that-embedded-in-the-plastic-bumper/195842.md?page=2)