Front License Plate Bracket
Thread Starter
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
From: Utah
Front License Plate Bracket
Hello All,
My first post, after being a lurker for the past month now. I just bought an '08 RX350 with Nav from my local dealer in Salt Lake City. I am happy with the car, but am having a little heartburn with the dealer. There are two issues I am not happy with: 1st, the manner in which the XM radio option was installed (I'll put that in it's own thread), and 2nd, the manner in which the front license plate bracket was installed. Utah law requires two plates, and even though 30% of the cars don't comply, I did it anyway. Anyway, I received my permanent license plates in the mail over the weekend and I put on the rear plate myself. I had a bracket for the front plate in the cargo compartment in the rear. The factory sealed package included one black plastic license plate bracket (Toyata made), and a pouch containing two black heavy-duty self-tapping screws. They were in their own package and that was in turn sealed in the bag that contained the bracket. They are used to attach the bracket to the front bumper. However, unlike the rear plate holder that had two stainless steel pan head screws, the front bracket package did not have these screws, which would be used to attach the license plate to the bracket. I called the dealer to arrange to have them install the bracket because it's supposed to be done by them as part of their pre-delivery work anyway, and I was informed that pilot holes should be drilled in the bumper before screwing in the two black screws. I also informed the dealer that I seemed to be missing the two screws that attach the plate to the bracket, and the man informed me that I must have lost them! I told him that I still had the original factory-sealed package, and the two screws were not in it! So I caved and arranged to have the dealer install the bracket and plates today. Well, the tech merely screwed in the two black screws with no pilot holes. I hope the holes in the bumper will not crack because of the additional stress due to no pilot holes. And now the big bite: The tech found two pan head screws (nickel color, not bright stainless like the rear
) and used them to attach the plate to the bracket. However, the screws appear to be too long because I noticed when I got home that as the screws were screwed in, they hit the bumper and could not proceed, and something had to give, so it bowed out the plastic bracket about 0.25" away from the bumper. That is, instead of the bracket fitting snugly against the bumper as it was designed to do, there is a gap of approximately 0.25" now between the bracket and the bumper. What's more, as the two screws hit the bumper and were turned against it, they scored the paint and plastic and left a cavity. Now instead of two holes in the front bumper, I have them AND two cavities as well. Yes, they're under the plate, and maybe "out of sight, out of mind" but not with me, being totally OCD and axxx retentive. Besides, what if I sell the car to a person who doesn't want the front plates on? Now, there are a total of four holes to repair, as opposed to two. Thoughts? Did your license plate package come with the stainless screws? How long were they? Have you seen this before? What should I do?? If I have the dealer repair it, now I will have a repair to my front bumper noted on the CarFax report, and how do I explain that to a potential buyer? They will think I was in a fender-bender or something, and be suspicious of the car. Thank you.
My first post, after being a lurker for the past month now. I just bought an '08 RX350 with Nav from my local dealer in Salt Lake City. I am happy with the car, but am having a little heartburn with the dealer. There are two issues I am not happy with: 1st, the manner in which the XM radio option was installed (I'll put that in it's own thread), and 2nd, the manner in which the front license plate bracket was installed. Utah law requires two plates, and even though 30% of the cars don't comply, I did it anyway. Anyway, I received my permanent license plates in the mail over the weekend and I put on the rear plate myself. I had a bracket for the front plate in the cargo compartment in the rear. The factory sealed package included one black plastic license plate bracket (Toyata made), and a pouch containing two black heavy-duty self-tapping screws. They were in their own package and that was in turn sealed in the bag that contained the bracket. They are used to attach the bracket to the front bumper. However, unlike the rear plate holder that had two stainless steel pan head screws, the front bracket package did not have these screws, which would be used to attach the license plate to the bracket. I called the dealer to arrange to have them install the bracket because it's supposed to be done by them as part of their pre-delivery work anyway, and I was informed that pilot holes should be drilled in the bumper before screwing in the two black screws. I also informed the dealer that I seemed to be missing the two screws that attach the plate to the bracket, and the man informed me that I must have lost them! I told him that I still had the original factory-sealed package, and the two screws were not in it! So I caved and arranged to have the dealer install the bracket and plates today. Well, the tech merely screwed in the two black screws with no pilot holes. I hope the holes in the bumper will not crack because of the additional stress due to no pilot holes. And now the big bite: The tech found two pan head screws (nickel color, not bright stainless like the rear
) and used them to attach the plate to the bracket. However, the screws appear to be too long because I noticed when I got home that as the screws were screwed in, they hit the bumper and could not proceed, and something had to give, so it bowed out the plastic bracket about 0.25" away from the bumper. That is, instead of the bracket fitting snugly against the bumper as it was designed to do, there is a gap of approximately 0.25" now between the bracket and the bumper. What's more, as the two screws hit the bumper and were turned against it, they scored the paint and plastic and left a cavity. Now instead of two holes in the front bumper, I have them AND two cavities as well. Yes, they're under the plate, and maybe "out of sight, out of mind" but not with me, being totally OCD and axxx retentive. Besides, what if I sell the car to a person who doesn't want the front plates on? Now, there are a total of four holes to repair, as opposed to two. Thoughts? Did your license plate package come with the stainless screws? How long were they? Have you seen this before? What should I do?? If I have the dealer repair it, now I will have a repair to my front bumper noted on the CarFax report, and how do I explain that to a potential buyer? They will think I was in a fender-bender or something, and be suspicious of the car. Thank you.
MultiTasking Mom
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 1,662
Likes: 2
From: California
lexus is notorious for having a crappy front license plate bracket. CA requires front plates as well but i leave them off our sedans, although i keep the RX completely "legal" (no front tinting and front plate present).
the process in which you describe them drilling it sounds pretty standard to me. they do this day in and day out and don't take much care in the way they do it, because as you say, it's out of sight once the plate goes on. i found this out the hard way when i got the SC -- the front plate was already on, and when i removed it the plastic bumper was really puckered from them overdrilling it. there are no stainless steel holders as in the rear, and the drill is taken directly to the bumper. the factory places small dimples where it should be drilled, but oftentimes that's not enough to prevent some puckering when the tighten the screws.
for the SC i ended up getting something called bumper plugs which are color coded. it requires that the drill holes are made larger, and by doing so i was able to relieve the puckering in the bumper. anyway, my point is that if you sell later and want to take it off, that's always an option. as for what you have now, i would say just live w/ it, esp if you initially planned to put a plate on anyway. god knows what mine looks like underneath, i have never looked on the RX. but as long as the plate looks good (straight, flush) i think it's ok.
on the other hand you could gripe that they did a poor job and maybe get some free stuff out of them for next time
p.s. welcome to clublexus!
the process in which you describe them drilling it sounds pretty standard to me. they do this day in and day out and don't take much care in the way they do it, because as you say, it's out of sight once the plate goes on. i found this out the hard way when i got the SC -- the front plate was already on, and when i removed it the plastic bumper was really puckered from them overdrilling it. there are no stainless steel holders as in the rear, and the drill is taken directly to the bumper. the factory places small dimples where it should be drilled, but oftentimes that's not enough to prevent some puckering when the tighten the screws.
for the SC i ended up getting something called bumper plugs which are color coded. it requires that the drill holes are made larger, and by doing so i was able to relieve the puckering in the bumper. anyway, my point is that if you sell later and want to take it off, that's always an option. as for what you have now, i would say just live w/ it, esp if you initially planned to put a plate on anyway. god knows what mine looks like underneath, i have never looked on the RX. but as long as the plate looks good (straight, flush) i think it's ok.
on the other hand you could gripe that they did a poor job and maybe get some free stuff out of them for next time
p.s. welcome to clublexus!
Rookie
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 69
Likes: 0
From: Indiana
To ease your mind just run down to your local ACE hardware and pick up a couple of stainless screws of the correct length and be done with it. If you back out the self tapping screws and re-insert a few times you will relieve any stored up presser from the dealers initial assault on your bumper. All of this is a relatively easy fix. No one cares for your car the way you will so I would just keep the dealer out of it. Best of luck.
CL Community Team
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 3,865
Likes: 394
From: Ohio
I love the bumperplugs (from www.bumperplugs.com). I have them on the RX; fortunately, I bought my SC new and the dealer asked if I wanted the front plate bracket put on or not, so I don't need them there.
While you are getting your bumperplugs, don't for get to get a plug for the keyhole in the driver's door, also. Very elegant. (I think they call it a "doorplug.")
While you are getting your bumperplugs, don't for get to get a plug for the keyhole in the driver's door, also. Very elegant. (I think they call it a "doorplug.")
Last edited by tfischer; Aug 29, 2007 at 06:25 AM. Reason: Added photo.
Pole Position
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 226
Likes: 6
From: Arizona
To ease your mind just run down to your local ACE hardware and pick up a couple of stainless screws of the correct length and be done with it. If you back out the self tapping screws and re-insert a few times you will relieve any stored up presser from the dealers initial assault on your bumper. All of this is a relatively easy fix. No one cares for your car the way you will so I would just keep the dealer out of it. Best of luck.
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CL Community Team
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 3,865
Likes: 394
From: Ohio
You can just pull out the plug with your finger nails. It's plastic, and has a tong that holds it in the keyhole for quick and easy removal and re-insertion.
Of course, if you replace the $3.00 battery every few years, this would never be an issue.
As for the Bamboo, they might have it but not listed on their pages. Send them an inquiry using their web page; I have done that in the past and received a quick response. These guys are very friendly and very helpful.
Of course, if you replace the $3.00 battery every few years, this would never be an issue.
As for the Bamboo, they might have it but not listed on their pages. Send them an inquiry using their web page; I have done that in the past and received a quick response. These guys are very friendly and very helpful.
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