Problem with rear license plate bracket

[DraftEdison]

Has anyone changed or added anything to their rear license plate bracket? The bottom of the plate on my EX is vibrating and getting caught in the wind causing a rattling noise at highway speeds. Anyone know if you can swap out the rubber pieces that hold the plate with a different nut/bolt combo to keep the bottom half of the plate from moving? Thanks

 

[Explorer XLT 17]

Perhaps a sturdy frame around the plate would suffice, or, maybe add self stick rubber bumpers to back of plate or onto existing bumpers.

 

[Exit32]

I added a nice stainless-steel frame to my license plate, and it required that I use four screws to hold it to the rear of my Explorer. I removed the factory rubber bumpers from the lower holes and replaced them with snap-in nylon inserts that accommodate license-plate screws. You can buy the snap-in inserts at any auto-parts store. BTW, I always use stainless-steel screws to attach my license plates. I hate seeing rusty streaks caused by cheap, corroding screws exposed to the elements -- especially winter road salt.

 

[DraftEdison]

Exit32 how bad was it to get them out? Are they screwed in there? The rubber pieces. Can you snap a pic so I can get a better feel for what you did? Thanks all for the input.

 

[peterk9]

Has anyone changed or added anything to their rear license plate bracket? The bottom of the plate on my EX is vibrating and getting caught in the wind causing a rattling noise at highway speeds. Anyone know if you can swap out the rubber pieces that hold the plate with a different nut/bolt combo to keep the bottom half of the plate from moving? Thanks

Found this using the Forum's 'Search' feature. Rear license plate hardware

Peter

 

[Exit32]

Exit32 how bad was it to get them out? Are they screwed in there? The rubber pieces. Can you snap a pic so I can get a better feel for what you did? Thanks all for the input.

You can remove the factory rubber "bumpers" from the two lower license-plate holes by grasping each with your fingers and giving a tug. After removal, you'll see two square holes that are perfect to accommodate snap-in nylon inserts. You can keep the rubber bumpers (like I did) and put them back into your Explorer when it's time to trade it or sell it.

Here's a photo that shows my original rubber bumpers and the white snap-in nylon inserts I used to replace them. No tools or drilling required!

Plate Fasteners

• Exit32
• January 11, 2019

 

[Jon M]

You can remove the factory rubber "bumpers" from the two lower license-plate holes by grasping each with your fingers and giving a tug. After removal, you'll see two square holes that are perfect to accommodate snap-in nylon inserts. You can keep the rubber bumpers (like I did) and put them back into your Explorer when it's time to trade it or sell it.

Here's a photo that shows my original rubber bumpers and the white snap-in nylon inserts I used to replace them. No tools or drilling required!

Plate Fasteners

• Exit32
• January 11, 2019

I had to do that on my '15. I don't know why they changed, but my '13 had all 4 instead of the rubber plugs. I was instantly annoyed by my license plate not being fully secure.

 

[pcwill55]

I added a nice stainless-steel frame to my license plate, and it required that I use four screws to hold it to the rear of my Explorer. I removed the factory rubber bumpers from the lower holes and replaced them with snap-in nylon inserts that accommodate license-plate screws. You can buy the snap-in inserts at any auto-parts store. BTW, I always use stainless-steel screws to attach my license plates. I hate seeing rusty streaks caused by cheap, corroding screws exposed to the elements -- especially winter road salt.

Do you have a link to the frame and the snap-in nylon inserts?

 

[Exit32]

Do you have a link to the frame and the snap-in nylon inserts?

Here you go:

Nylon inserts

Plate frame