*!^*#!!^*

[Odie]

Originally Posted by Nomad

All 4 of the screws that attach my license plate to my car rusted and broke off inside the threaded holes when I tried to remove them.
I purchased Grab It which is supposed to bite into the screws after pre-drilling then pounding the device into the screws and reverse them out but the bit broke.
I bought another and will try again but is there a tribal dance or magic words I should use before my efforts at failure for the 2nd time ?

perhaps you should have replaced the screws years ago.

men just don't know how to take care of their cars!

[Nomad]

Originally Posted by Bill Sikes

No. What's the metal the things are threaded into? If you can heat it up (No! Not the whole car!) with oxy-acetylene or some small gas torch that might help. You probably won't be able to get them out, especially now that there's a nice piece of hardened steel "Grab It" stuck in. Spark erosion will work if you've got someone who will do it. Perhaps you can drill out the whole thing and re-tap the hole. Other things to try are getting at the far side of the metal, annointing with acid for a day or three (before removal!), drilling a small hole to remove a section of the bolt and thread....

What do these screws screw into? Sheet metal? Cast iron? Alloy?

Holy Moly !
What do they screw into...well......a little hole. I dunno. I couldnt drill through the broken screws. I used 2 sided tape but it wont stay. I can tell.
So i should torch the car ?
Ok.

[CARLA]

Sparks, torches, around the car not a good idea Nomie. Take it to a shop they can push those bolts out in a second. Might require a bigger hole then you want on your bumper but it will be gone. Then have the bumper patched and install one all over again. It never ends does it..

[Bill Sikes]

Originally Posted by Nomad

So i should torch the car ?
Ok.

Maybe. Yo' got 'surance?
If it's just screwed onto your bumper, you may be able to punch the screws through, but it doesn't sound as though thy are (unless they're screwed into something solid on the other side, or they've got nuts on the other side). Hey! Photo the thing & post it somewhere!

You could always tie onanother number plate with binder twine, and say "Oooh arrr!" to people...

[Bruv]

More information required.

Align the holes in licence plate and slightly offset, and re-drill new holes, then fix with self tapping screws to suit holes drilled

[oscar]

Originally Posted by Nomad

All 4 of the screws that attach my license plate to my car rusted and broke off inside the threaded holes when I tried to remove them.
I purchased Grab It which is supposed to bite into the screws after pre-drilling then pounding the device into the screws and reverse them out but the bit broke.
I bought another and will try again but is there a tribal dance or magic words I should use before my efforts at failure for the 2nd time ?

Peter Lake has told me to tell you to use penetrating oil and to leave for a day to soak in

Failing that buy velcro that you buy in car accessory shops.

[Imladris]

Originally Posted by Nomad

throwing wenches .

don't they object to such rough treatment??

[theDC]

Happened to me before too. I hate when screws get stripped

[oscar]

Originally Posted by Imladris

[/b]


don't they object to such rough treatment??

[along-for-the-ride]

*!^*#!!^* reply:

Here's what you need, Nomie.

Remote Hide-Away License Plate



Or this:



I know you like gadgets.