Number Plate Carrier / Plinth Removal How To
Discussion
I know it's been covered in the forums many times and continues to be asked so thought I'd knock up a how to this morning as sometimes it's daunting to take your tool set to your pride and joy and this easy mod makes such a good difference.
Time Taken 5-10 Minutes
Tools required
Philips Head
Torx T30 head
13MM socket
Some HD Velcro (3M Dual lock is expensive but the mac daddy of velcro's) or other adhesive strips such as number plate pads, optionally neither if you intend to use the existing holes.
Some cleaning solution
Starting here remove the two screws on the edge of the number plate with a phillips head
This is whats underneath
In the top holes are two bolts that require the Torx T30 head, in the bottom pair are both phillips heads
With the bolts removed the plastic carrier should come away freely revealing the aluminium plate behind, the 4 screws here again require the Torx T30
Once they are removed it unveils some rather hefy looking struts behind, remove these with the 13mm socket and dont worry they aren't holding anything else in they are just over engineered
Fixing with Velcro / Pads
Once it has all been removed wipe the area down with a cleaning agent, the idea is to get a good surface for the velcro /pads etc to stick to, cut your velceo strips to size and apply them to the bumper, a good tip is then to cut matching strips for the plate but but place them over the bumper velcro before peeling off the backing tape, this way you can line up the plate and then just offer it into place firmly and it will stick.
Fixing with screws
You could also as use the existing holes in the bumper and drill two holes in the plate as suggested by Quinny in post 6, this can be made easy by using the aluminium mounting bracket as a template and using its outter holes as guides to drill the plate with.
The end result should look something like this
I have a new plate on my shopping list to remove the unsightly screw holes and would reccomend the same.
And before anyone says anything yes she does need a good clean and I'll be doing that later
Time Taken 5-10 Minutes
Tools required
Philips Head
Torx T30 head
13MM socket
Some HD Velcro (3M Dual lock is expensive but the mac daddy of velcro's) or other adhesive strips such as number plate pads, optionally neither if you intend to use the existing holes.
Some cleaning solution
Starting here remove the two screws on the edge of the number plate with a phillips head
This is whats underneath
In the top holes are two bolts that require the Torx T30 head, in the bottom pair are both phillips heads
With the bolts removed the plastic carrier should come away freely revealing the aluminium plate behind, the 4 screws here again require the Torx T30
Once they are removed it unveils some rather hefy looking struts behind, remove these with the 13mm socket and dont worry they aren't holding anything else in they are just over engineered
Fixing with Velcro / Pads
Once it has all been removed wipe the area down with a cleaning agent, the idea is to get a good surface for the velcro /pads etc to stick to, cut your velceo strips to size and apply them to the bumper, a good tip is then to cut matching strips for the plate but but place them over the bumper velcro before peeling off the backing tape, this way you can line up the plate and then just offer it into place firmly and it will stick.
Fixing with screws
You could also as use the existing holes in the bumper and drill two holes in the plate as suggested by Quinny in post 6, this can be made easy by using the aluminium mounting bracket as a template and using its outter holes as guides to drill the plate with.
The end result should look something like this
I have a new plate on my shopping list to remove the unsightly screw holes and would reccomend the same.
And before anyone says anything yes she does need a good clean and I'll be doing that later
Edited by amv8jd on Friday 22 April 18:09
Edited by amv8jd on Tuesday 23 April 18:10
Cheers chaps, happy to help.
I'd not thought of number plate pads to be honest, thanks for the suggestion I've updated the first post, I fall to using dual lock as I work in motorsport / tv and we use dual lock to stick external bullet cameras all over the place and its solid, even used it on F3's, well that and it's what I had laying arround
Mako V12V said:
James, that's a great write up thanks. Am thinking of removing mine but my plate is stuck to the plinth not screwed so would need another plate.
Also, is it advisable to use number plate pads to stick the plate directly to the painted bumper instead of using Velcro?
Thanks, I rekon you could probably get your plate off the carrier with a bit of force, you'd need to clean it up again but as you can see in my pictures at some point my plate was stuck to the plinth Also, is it advisable to use number plate pads to stick the plate directly to the painted bumper instead of using Velcro?
I'd not thought of number plate pads to be honest, thanks for the suggestion I've updated the first post, I fall to using dual lock as I work in motorsport / tv and we use dual lock to stick external bullet cameras all over the place and its solid, even used it on F3's, well that and it's what I had laying arround
Quinny said:
The only thing I did different, was to use the original holes in the front bumper and screwed my plate rather than stick it
Thanks Quinny I've updated the first post with this bit too.Thank you, thank you, thank you!
Perfect just what I needed
A note to people talking about sticky number plate pads, I've used them for years on many cars. I've never had a plate come unstuck. I'm fact they are hard work trying to get them off the car when you need to change plates again.
I always buy them from Halfords. The sell two sizes (thickness), I suggest the thin ones for sticking direct to the bumper, otherwise you get a horrible gap with the thicker ones. Plate will sit nice and flush.
Perfect just what I needed
A note to people talking about sticky number plate pads, I've used them for years on many cars. I've never had a plate come unstuck. I'm fact they are hard work trying to get them off the car when you need to change plates again.
I always buy them from Halfords. The sell two sizes (thickness), I suggest the thin ones for sticking direct to the bumper, otherwise you get a horrible gap with the thicker ones. Plate will sit nice and flush.
Quinny said:
It depend on how many, and which digits.... Plates with 1's in can be shorter for example....but basically 3/4 plates use motorcycle size letters..... And are technically illegal..... In saying that I ran with one on my Tvr for over 5 years and never got stopped....
I think the key is.... Don't take the piss, and you'll be ok
You can't be stopped for having an illegal plate (although it can be dealt with if you're stopped for another reason).I think the key is.... Don't take the piss, and you'll be ok
However, you will need to put a legal plate on in order to pass the MOT test.
You can only be stopped by a Police Officer for a moving traffic offence which comes under the Road Traffic Act 88.
Vehicle registration regulations come under the Vehicle Excise & Registration Act 94.
Legally, you cannot be stopped for that offence!
You may however need some strong diplomatic skills to point this out to any Officer stopping you for that reason!
Vehicle registration regulations come under the Vehicle Excise & Registration Act 94.
Legally, you cannot be stopped for that offence!
You may however need some strong diplomatic skills to point this out to any Officer stopping you for that reason!
Edited by Ice27 on Saturday 23 April 21:50
Plod has far, far better things to do than stop a nice clean AM with a perfectly clear but very slightly smaller no. plate - and which is highly unlikely to be illegal in any other way - tbo. Like picking on bikers or stopping the local yoofs in their Novas/whathaveyou which is much more 'profitable'.
bogie said:
its usually some other agency that stops you that just happen to have coppers around just in case of other stuff
still a 3/4 plate with legal font, dosent look too far out of place
I agreestill a 3/4 plate with legal font, dosent look too far out of place
I've had the smaller than 3/4 plate picture above on my last 5 cars for over 9 years and never been stopped! (but I do keep a legal set in the boot
)That's a good little write up there - should help a few people
With regard to the early question about sticking the plate to the car, I fitted a thin number plate carrier (ex-Audi I think) using the existing holes and bends to the shape of the car. The plate is then stuck to the carrier. As such, there is little risk of damaging the paint if I need to change the plates.
Apologies for poor photo quality (camera on phone!) but here it is ...
With regard to the early question about sticking the plate to the car, I fitted a thin number plate carrier (ex-Audi I think) using the existing holes and bends to the shape of the car. The plate is then stuck to the carrier. As such, there is little risk of damaging the paint if I need to change the plates.
Apologies for poor photo quality (camera on phone!) but here it is ...
Edited by steve_amv8 on Sunday 24th April 13:18
mikey k said:
I agree
I've had the smaller than 3/4 plate picture above on my last 5 cars for over 9 years and never been stopped! (but I do keep a legal set in the boot )
same here, >9 years on every car, albeit all 2 seaters ...they do look a bit odd on a big carI've had the smaller than 3/4 plate picture above on my last 5 cars for over 9 years and never been stopped! (but I do keep a legal set in the boot
)actually got pulled over in the Aston last year for the first time by some over zealous 20 year old girl from vehicle licensing, and the traffic inspector present took a look, chatted about the car, said that I really should have a rectification order but everything else looked right so he sent me on the way with a smile
Pugsey said:
Plod has far, far better things to do than stop a nice clean AM with a perfectly clear but very slightly smaller no. plate - and which is highly unlikely to be illegal in any other way - tbo. Like picking on bikers or stopping the local yoofs in their Novas/whathaveyou which is much more 'profitable'.
I think if you do not change the spacing, font style or background. From experience, I have found a lot depends on what frame of mind the policeman is in at the time (if you get pulled). Bored, nothing else to do, grumpy, dislike of more expensive cars etc etc. I ran an imported (American) motorhome which could not take the full size plate in the front and rear valance, so had a 3/4 plate made for each, then had the vehicle registered at the local registration office.
As far as I know, you can have a 3/4 size number plate if your vehicle is imported? Can anyone verify?
Cheers,
Ian.
There are no regulations specifying the size of a vehicle numberplate. Therefore 3/4 size plates are perfectly legal. As are unique style plates such as those fitted to the Vanquish. The DVLA do however specify the font, size of font and spacing. Along with lots of other regulations such as National flag symbols, use of screw covers and altering the grouping to spell words or names. The information can be found here...
http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Motoring/PersonalisedR...
For imported vehicles which do not meet the European Community Whole Vehicle Type Approval Regulations ( basically, those not normally imported into the EU) and whose design would not fit the 'standard' style registration plate, a smaller font can be used. On a smaller plate. This does not apply to any Aston Martin!
Police can stop a vehicle for a moving traffic offence and can then deal with any illegal plates, if they felt so inclined. DVLA stops are far more likely to deal with any illegal plate fitted and a vehicle is likely to fail an MOT test if they are fitted at the time of the test......
http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Motoring/PersonalisedR...
For imported vehicles which do not meet the European Community Whole Vehicle Type Approval Regulations ( basically, those not normally imported into the EU) and whose design would not fit the 'standard' style registration plate, a smaller font can be used. On a smaller plate. This does not apply to any Aston Martin!
Police can stop a vehicle for a moving traffic offence and can then deal with any illegal plates, if they felt so inclined. DVLA stops are far more likely to deal with any illegal plate fitted and a vehicle is likely to fail an MOT test if they are fitted at the time of the test......
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