Trying to remove the front number plate surround but i'm having no luck! I've unscrewed 2 screws and 2 bolts but it's still screwed in solid somehow.




As you can see in the second picture it's still screwed in tight. I've jacked the car up to try and have a better look underneath but i can't get into it. Do i have to take off the bumper to get the screws out?

 

bumper off jobby

 

As flybikeslee said you need to remove the bumper, Basically there is another 2 bolts which need to be accessed from the inside of the bumper.

Alternatively if you were to saw the black licence plate surround in half you could slide each part off the bolts but it is a lot more effort and still require you to remove the actual bolts!

I did this recently did the former, bumper off, and followed the first steps in the guide here: http://www.ricks2k.com/info/instructions/diffuser.pdf

 

People always said bumper off job, but I actually got the 'hidden' mounting bolts/nuts removed to get the holder off by running a hacksaw down the back which un-did the bolt (didn't cut it in half, just scored/sunk teeth in as a weird makeshift spanner of sorts, haha) and allowed me to remove the holder. The pieces behind the bumper just fell inside. Worked out well, haha.

 

I did it without bumper off.

Cut plate surround in half then slide it off, angle grind the remaining two bolts off.

I couldn't be asked to remove the bumper.

 

I hit the same issue so decided to postpone until this weekend. I'm going for 'bumper off' approach but wondered what others used to fill the holes left behind? I was thinking those pop in rivets, but painting them first.

 

The number plate will cover the two holes? Oh wait that may be the two holes that I had to fit 13mm rubber grommets into, then paint them with atouch up to match the car..

 

If you are keeping standard UK spec plate it will cover them fine.

 

Halfords 10mm flat rubber grommets and touch up paint.

 

Going 3/4.