JDB

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.

lkchris

The threaded inserts are a separate part.

Have dealer install new ones under warranty.

JDB

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.

reddog

I used the following inserts to secure the front license plate on my 2003 CL500:

http://www.smallparts.com/products/descriptions/tsm.cfm

JDB

Thanks,

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

RobertG

Another option is to use a 2 part epoxy ( the kind that looks like playdough) fill the hole and then drill and tap to match the thread.

platt-deutsch

Should be able to drill to next size and retap.

RichardM98

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.

RobertG

I never thought of wrapping the fastener with the teflon tape, next time I'll try that.

JDB

Richard,
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

JDB

I tried the source listed in reddog's link, but they do no longer stock the part, and they could not supply any info for an alternate source.

Anybody out there have any ideas?

Thanks, in advance,
JDB
Sacramento, CA

reddog

Here's another source:
http://www.homeprofasteners.com/inde...ge=shop.browse
and another:
http://www.cardinalcomponents.com/fasteners.htm