Rear license plate screws - I am almost screwed

[Heavy Fluid]

I removed the dealer license plate surround, and put on a plain black one. I have been using a bike rack on and off for the last month. It never stays on the car, just on when I need it, but the bottom of it does rest on the license plate. I guess in the month or so that I have used it, the pressure has pressed down on the plate.

Last night I realized that my plate is being held on by one bent plastic screw. The other had its head ripped off already. Took a late night trip to the auto parts store, not realizing that the bolts/size are not standard.

Here is what I did. I removed the plate and black surround. I unscrewed the plastic piece that holds the plate to the car. I used those to hold the plate on, since they fit perfectly. I bought 7mm hex screws that I thought might hold the plate on, but don't. I used those to put the plastic back on the car, and then used original star screws to attach the plate.

Well, it works, I guess. The plate doesn't sit flat, as the hex screws don't sit flush in the holes.

What can I do to fix this? I have heard of some kit that you can order from the dealership.....probably not. I am sure that I am not the first to run into this issue. I searched here and on Google, and didn't come up with much. Most results are on how to replace the license plate lights, not the plate screws.

I just want it to look not so ghetto. No more bike rack for me. We are getting a better one for my wifes vehicle instead. [:)]

Also - any reason that Audi did this instead of the standard plate installation that is on 99% of other cars?

[bmc333]

I had the same issues trying to track down the right size screws - such a pain in the ass and I never have found the right size. ECS sells some but the ones I got were too short and when I went to order the longer screws, they were on backorder and I gave up. Right now, I only have two screws and would love to get the other bottom 2 at some point.

[Merle]

I took the threaded inserts out of the black plate holder and actually screwed metal screws directly into the sheet metal of the trunk lid. I bought these screws that look like a allen head with a "tit" in the middle so you have to have the correct tool to remove them. It keeps people from stealing my plates, even though I've never had it happen with regular screws...[:)]

[joshd2012]

Hmm... I'll have to investigate this one. When I bought my car, the screws that come with it were too long, so after my mom bought her A4, my dad went to the parts department and scored me two screws that fit perfectly - and for free! Maybe the plastic piece that you're talking about has already been removed?

[Kolyan2k]

got my screws from dealer for free. they were a bit too long so i just put 4 things that you stick to your sofa in order not to scratch the floor. i put them right behind the plate.

[HPW]

The screw size for the rear black plastic plate mount is metric, size 6. Length would be based on the thickness of your license plate frame. You can find them at a hardware store, I got them at OSH and I'm sure any Lowes or Home Depot would have them as well.

So, look for screws with sizing as follows: 6x8mm, 6x12mm, etc. Again, the length depends on your application, but the "6" is the correct size bolt for the plate mount.

[HPW]

I took the threaded inserts out of the black plate holder and actually screwed metal screws directly into the sheet metal of the trunk lid. I bought these screws that look like a allen head with a "tit" in the middle so you have to have the correct tool to remove them. It keeps people from stealing my plates, even though I've never had it happen with regular screws...[:)]

Really? Wouldn't this cause issues with rust? I know the area behind the plate is by no means weatherproof.

[dodsonjg]

I bought a set of plate mounting screws from Target for the bottom 2 holes. They were a tad long so I put a washer under each one and it worked perfect.

[Merle]

Really? Wouldn't this cause issues with rust? I know the area behind the plate is by no means weatherproof.
I highly doubt it. I don't think much water is going to get behind the black plate holder. I guess I could put sealant on the threads when I screw them in if it becomes an issue.

[Heavy Fluid]

Thanks for the information. Gonna hit up the hardware store tomorrow.

[Heavy Fluid]

6x12mm is doing the trick, although not long enough to use the dealer plate surround. The aftermarket one I bought doesn't seem to fit as well, and the bottom of the plastic mount shows underneath. OK, well, at least the plate stays on now. Thanks for the information everyone.