MX5 Mk1 - Rear Number Plate Plastic Screws have sheared off

Technical Area Body, Interior & Styling
2

One of the plastic screws holding the rear number plate broke a while ago so I decided to remove the other to find out what size I needed to replace it.

Unfortunately this sheared off whilst trying to undo it and I now have two bits of plastic filling the two holes. I need to get these out so that I can put new screws in but I don’t know how.

There is a rear plastic outer panel that the number plate fixes to so I opened the boot and removed the black side panel just under the boot catch only to find the metal bodywork. 

The only way I can see is to remove both rear light fittings to be able to remove this plastic part that holds the number plate.

Is this right or is there another quicker way?

3

Dont go dismanteling the rear of the car. The screws are m6 and can very easily be drilled in the center with a 2.5 / 3mm drill bit. you can then use a self tap screw to wined in the broken shanks and put new plastic or metal m6 screws in with some lube so they dont stick again. Or, if they wont move you can just use the self tappers to secure the plate.Thumbs up

4

Dont go dismanteling the rear of the car. The screws are m6 and can very easily be drilled in the center with a 2.5 / 3mm drill bit. you can then use a self tap screw to wined in the broken shanks and put new plastic or metal m6 screws in with some lube so they dont stick again. Or, if they wont move you can just use the self tappers to secure the plate.Thumbs up

5

If you want to use a standard yellow plastic screw, the thread is M6 and will be easily tapped with a 'M6 tap, drill through the old sheard off screw with a 5 mm drill, which is tapping size for M6, once you have drilled with the 5 mm drill, it would be worth seeing if the remains of the old bolt will come out before tapping.

mike

6

Thanks for the replies.

I was hoping there would be an answer like that. 

7

alternative;

my rear plate is stuck on with 4 self adhesive pads.

8

Thanks, it’s an alternative but I’d rather not stick anything on the bodywork just yet.

I have actually managed to drill out the plastic screws and I have temporarily screwed the number plate on with a couple of general metal screws (which will probably rust in a month or so) so I will replace them later with proper number plate screws from Halfords.