License Plate Panel Thread Repair
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CLK63 Black Series
License Plate Panel Thread Repair
Was wondering if anyone has any solutions to offer for the following:
The dealer installed my license plate frame with screw fasteners that were one size too large in diameter, resulting in stripping the threads in the composite license plate panel on the rear of my CLK BS.
The threads are now so bad that one screw falls out whenever the rear deck lid is closed.
Any thoughts on how I might be able to salvage this, short of having the entire rear panel replaced? I would like to avoid that, since the panel would have to be painted to match the car color, and I am concerned that a re-painted panel might not exactly match the finish and texture of the paint from the factory.
The dealer installed my license plate frame with screw fasteners that were one size too large in diameter, resulting in stripping the threads in the composite license plate panel on the rear of my CLK BS.
The threads are now so bad that one screw falls out whenever the rear deck lid is closed.
Any thoughts on how I might be able to salvage this, short of having the entire rear panel replaced? I would like to avoid that, since the panel would have to be painted to match the car color, and I am concerned that a re-painted panel might not exactly match the finish and texture of the paint from the factory.
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Kent,
Thanks for the reply, but the threads do not appear to be inserts, as I have seen in other MB panels. There are four protruding cones that are molded into the panel. The threads are inside of the cones with no inserts visible from the outside.
Thanks for the reply, but the threads do not appear to be inserts, as I have seen in other MB panels. There are four protruding cones that are molded into the panel. The threads are inside of the cones with no inserts visible from the outside.
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'03 CL500,& '18 GLS63. Gone: '83 500SEC,'99 500SL,'07GL450
http://www.smallparts.com/products/descriptions/tsm.cfm
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This looks like a possible solution
I used the following inserts to secure the front license plate on my 2003 CL500:
http://www.smallparts.com/products/descriptions/tsm.cfm
http://www.smallparts.com/products/descriptions/tsm.cfm
I have already forwarded the link to the dealer to see if they think these will work. They look like the solution to me.
JDB
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98 Brilliant Silver E320 Wagon
No need to drill and tap. Just wrap a couple layers of teflon tape around the fastener and screw it into the epoxy before it dries. When epoxy has set, unscrew fastener and mount plate.
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Good Suggestion
Thanks for the suggestion. For a temporary fix, I just wrapped the screw threads with a few wraps of teflon tape (but without the epoxy).
And, just by increasing the diameter of the fastener, it seems to be holding adequately. Good suggestion!
JDB
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I used the following inserts to secure the front license plate on my 2003 CL500:
http://www.smallparts.com/products/descriptions/tsm.cfm
http://www.smallparts.com/products/descriptions/tsm.cfm
Anybody out there have any ideas?
Thanks, in advance,
JDB
Sacramento, CA
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'03 CL500,& '18 GLS63. Gone: '83 500SEC,'99 500SL,'07GL450
more nuts
http://www.homeprofasteners.com/inde...ge=shop.browse
and another:
http://www.cardinalcomponents.com/fasteners.htm
Last edited by reddog; 01-16-2008 at 12:34 PM.