Well, this is my first day of work after my trip to Minnesota. I had to drive around a bit, and decided to take care of my license plate sticker (since it was still in my car and I had not had a chance to put it on my plate).
I guess an explanation is in order at this point. I have these plastic covers on both of my license plates (to keep the grime out). They are held in place with these screws that require an allen wrench - but a special allen wrench that is hollowed out, since the screws themselves have a metal piece sticking out the center (kinda like a security measure). Well, unfortunately I lost that allen wrench, so I had to go to the auto store to buy another one.
I went to Murray's and bought another special allen wrench. Went to my car, and started to unscrew the screws to loosen the cover to gain access to the sticker area. Unfortunately, the screws wouldn't come off! After much struggling, I got the right one out. Turns out, the culprit was RUST!!! Not the screw, but the retaining clip inside. Unbelievable. So I would need to replace the retaining clips before I could screw them back on. Great! Well, I was able to work the cover loose to put the new sticker on, so that was accomplished. But Murray's didn't have the retaining clips I was looking for. So off I went to a Nissan Dealership, and ended up at Arlington Nissan in Buffalo Grove. The person at the service desk had the clips in stock, and gave me a couple free of charge (good stuff!)
Unfortunately keep in mind that I was only able to work the right screw out on my license plate - the left one is still jammed in there - too rusted to move. Fortunately, I was able to swing the plate out of the way, remove the rusted right retaining clip and replace it with the new one. Swung the plate back down, and was able to screw it back in.
Jeez, what an ordeal. My only hope is that I will never have to remove my rear license plate. Unless I can somehow work in some WD-40 on that left retaining clip, that plate ain't never coming out...hmm, that's a pretty good security measure in and of itself...
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2 comments:
go back to murray's and get some PB Blaster. it's like WD40 on crack. spray it, let the liquid do it's magic for a few minutes, and then try to turn the screw. be sure not to let the liquid get on your paint though. so keep a few rags handy.
okay Ben...you lost me at "allen wrench" and "special allen wrench" and "retaining clips".
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