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License Plate Panel Thread Repair

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Old Jan 10, 2008 | 12:05 PM
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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.
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Old Jan 10, 2008 | 12:34 PM
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The threaded inserts are a separate part.

Have dealer install new ones under warranty.
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Old Jan 10, 2008 | 01:12 PM
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Originally Posted by lkchris
The threaded inserts are a separate part.
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.
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Old Jan 10, 2008 | 01:29 PM
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Originally Posted by 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.
I used the following inserts to secure the front license plate on my 2003 CL500:

http://www.smallparts.com/products/descriptions/tsm.cfm
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Old Jan 11, 2008 | 12:05 AM
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This looks like a possible solution

Originally Posted by reddog
I used the following inserts to secure the front license plate on my 2003 CL500:

http://www.smallparts.com/products/descriptions/tsm.cfm
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
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Old Jan 11, 2008 | 08:49 AM
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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.
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Old Jan 13, 2008 | 08:40 PM
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Should be able to drill to next size and retap.
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Old Jan 13, 2008 | 08:52 PM
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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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Old Jan 14, 2008 | 08:51 AM
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Originally Posted by 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.
I never thought of wrapping the fastener with the teflon tape, next time I'll try that.
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Old Jan 14, 2008 | 10:47 AM
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Good Suggestion

Originally Posted by 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.
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
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Old Jan 15, 2008 | 01:45 PM
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Originally Posted by reddog
I used the following inserts to secure the front license plate on my 2003 CL500:

http://www.smallparts.com/products/descriptions/tsm.cfm
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
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Old Jan 15, 2008 | 03:06 PM
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more nuts

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

Last edited by reddog; Jan 16, 2008 at 12:34 PM.
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