[ice69ca]

Hey all,

First time Subaru owner here! I bought a 2010 Forester and so far am very happy with it! Feel like an idiot with this question but cannot find the answer anywhere.

I just received my rear license plate and do not have the screws to mount it. I do not want to strip the plugs in the back, does anyone know what size screw is correct?

Thanks!

 

[SubieOutlaw]

The screws might be in with the owners manual in the glove box. If not, I will take one out and have a look.

 

[2.5x_sleeper]

If the mounting is the usual plastic/nylon inserts like on my '03 X & '07 FSXT, you can use pretty much anything that will screw in snugly. On my vehicles, I used stainless steel security screws. You can get those most anyplace that sells vehicle license frames. :wink:

Bobby...

['07 FSXT MODding Journal] ['03 X MODding Journal]

 

[ice69ca]

Thanks all for the quick answers. Definitely looked everywhere I thought they might stick them....can't find them hidden anywhere.

 

[ForesterDave]

The dealer will have the screws you need and give them to you for free. I found I needed 4 screws for the back hatch so the license plate wouldn't make that *thwack* sound against the door every time I closed it.

 

[Peaty]

In all honesty these are the best type to get:

Tamper Resistant License Plate Screws

I found them at my local Target store, plus the police station was giving them out free at one time in Topeka. I have 4 on each car I own.

Found this link not a bad price:

http://www.billetanything.com/Set-of-TORX-Security-Screws-and-Key-p/l2btorx.htm

Still I think you may be able to find them at any auto store, Target or similar.

 

[Canonshooter]

Another tip - get some flat faucet washers from your local Big Box HI store and place them between the back of the plate and the mounting holes. This will stand the plate off the deck a little and prevent the plate from scratching the paint.

 

[EcoAutoClean]

So I guess I could bring this post back from the dead. I am trying to put license plate screws in my 09 forester. There are white plugs in each screw hole. Is this normal or can I take these out? As the screws I bought (license plate screws, from Auto store) are not going in. Thanks in advance

 

[valvestem]

So I guess I could bring this post back from the dead. I am trying to put license plate screws in my 09 forester. There are white plugs in each screw hole. Is this normal or can I take these out? As the screws I bought (license plate screws, from Auto store) are not going in. Thanks in advance

From your local hardware store you can use #8-3/4" button/slotted/philips head sheet metal screws.

 

[EcoAutoClean]

From your local hardware store you can use #8-3/4" button/slotted/philips head sheet metal screws.

thx for the reply!
I already got the screws, just curious if the white circles can be pulled out for the license plate screws i purchased to go in?

 

[Peaty]

Question, you say they aren't going in. These are screws right? Not bolts with nuts that go on the other side? The white disks have a hole in the center for the screw? If your issue is the hole is to small for he screws you have, be careful. I had this problem and thought well I'll just force them in and the screw will cut the hole in the plastic bigger. That can create an issue where the screw gets too tight in the plastic molly and pretty soon the molly will start spinning in the hole (the plastic square plastic behind the part you see shears in the metal opening) Now you are stuck with a screw that won't come out unless you can access the back and hold the plastic while unscrewing the fastener. This is a major PITA trust me. After you take stuff apart to get to the back and get the screw out, you'll have to replace the plastic molly with one of these, the white square things here:

Cruiser Accessories 81230 Locking Fasteners, Domestic-Stainless : Amazon.com : Automotive

Best to either get a smaller screw or drill out the opening a little so it's not so tight.

 

[EcoAutoClean]

Ah. Oops! Bolts. So having said that, do I need to remove the white parts?? Or go get screws?

 

[Peaty]

The white parts, AKA plastic molly inserts, aren't really designed to be removed. You'd be way better off getting screws. I'm not saying it can't be done but trust me it would be a ton more trouble than it's worth.

 

[EcoAutoClean]

The white parts, AKA plastic molly inserts, aren't really designed to be removed. You'd be way better off getting screws. I'm not saying it can't be done but trust me it would be a ton more trouble than it's worth.

Cool. Upset I demolished the boxes to the nuts and bolts. Lol. Oh well I'll find a use for them. Thanks for all the help!

 

[TMF]

Another tip - get some flat faucet washers from your local Big Box HI store and place them between the back of the plate and the mounting holes. This will stand the plate off the deck a little and prevent the plate from scratching the paint.

I would not have thought of this quick tip...it worked great, thanks!