Smart Car License Plate Holder Question

[Figaro14]

Today I put the stainless Aries Sports bar on the front of my Smart Passion but after correctly installing it, I discovered that the Smart Car license plate holder will not fit back exactly where it was originally installed. I need to move it down about 1/4" of an inch for it to fit. Since there are already holes in the plastic from where the Smart Car license plate holder was pre-installed, the easiest option is to simply drill new pilot holes about 1/4" below the originals and the license plate holder will cover the old holes. I saw that there is an after market option to buy a plate holder which mounts into the tow plug -- but the original holes are already in the bumper and I'd just as soon cover them up.

My question may sound stupid, but are the holes from the original license holder simply drilled into the plastic or are those factory holes with something behind them to hold the Smart Car licence plate on securely? Will my license plate holder be just as secure if I screw the sheet metal screws into the plastic about 1/4" below the original holes? Thanks!

[jimvw57]

The license plate holes are only in the plastic. Nothing behind there so drill away.

[Figaro14]

Thanks! That's what I did and I guess its on as secure as it originally was. But screws into thin plastic with no threaded nuts behind???? Doesn't seem like it would hold.

I thought about simply leaving the front plate off entirely, and I would have if the first drilled holes wern't already there.

[Mud Pie]

The screws MB used on my rear plate had a coarse thread; resembled a sheetrock screw in my opinion. The coarse thread allows more "bite" in the plastic, preventing tear-out.

There isn't a whole lot of stress holding the plate on, so the screws will work.

That being said, I still don't like the idea, I'd prefer a normal standard bracket....

[Figaro14]

I used a coarse threaded screw also but I completely agree. Maybe I'm overly concerned, but putting two sheet metal screws into a thin piece of plastic is not my idea of a properly installed license plate holder. If anyone wanted to, they could simply grab hold of the holder and pull it off the car without much effort.

I wondered if there might be a way to get under the front bumper panel and put bolts through and washers and nuts on the other side of it. I tried to get under there yesterday to see if I could reach that area from the underside to do it but without removing the under-panel, probably not.

I'll be interested in following threads on the license mounts to see if anyone loses their plates.