Rear license holder rusted out? Help!

Stormtrooper1 · Jan 5, 2022

I just picked up a 07 Xc90 that lived it whole life in WI. While putting the new plates on I saw the studs were missing on half the plate holder so I went to replace it.

When I removed the one bolt it pretty much just fell out of the car as the piece where it screws into the tailgate panel just came out.

Any suggestions on how to fix this? Volvo service department has suggested I take it to a body shop. And some parts help from FCP looks like they are part of the cars body.

Has anyone had this happen before? Any suggestions? I’ve got the hole covered with tape right now and the plate stuck in my back window. You can see in the pic it’s the one on the left.

Stormtrooper1 · Jan 6, 2022

if I can get the original threaded part removed from the screw/bracket, I’m considering just cleaning the area and JB Welding it in place.

anybody have any thoughts?

Eric T Johnson · Jan 6, 2022

I don't know if you can access the back of the panel. If that is possible, you might be able to find a carriage bolt with a head larger than the opening, and bond it into place with JB epoxy or something similar. You might have to ream out the hole on the license plate to get it over a 1/4 inch threaded bolt, however.

Eric T Johnson · Jan 6, 2022

The other way to fix this would be to clean the area somehow, and glue a "T nut" in place. This does not require access from the back of the panel. T nuts come in various sizes, and if you have never seen one, it would be easy to visit a hardware store and have a look.

spiked60 · Jan 6, 2022

God I don't miss Wisconsin winters....

Here's my uneducated look at 3 options:

The cheapest solution would probably be to get to the inside, sand & spray rust convertor on everything on both sides, then put a bolt through the back with a lock nut on the outside, then mount the plate holder on top of that.

The proper solution would be to take it to a body shop, have them replace the bodywork and repaint.

The easiest solution would be to source a replacement tailgate and swap it over, but that's not cheap and red is a notorious color that fades differently and could be noticeable (especially a warm climate car)

Stormtrooper1 · Jan 7, 2022

Well. My first thought of reattaching the original (nut?) back to the car is a no go. It is so firmly fused to the original license frame bolt I’m having no luck separating it. I expect the head will snap off the bolt if I try any harder.

I’ve sent an email to the other Volvo dealer nearby to see if they can help.
If that’s a bust as well I may be going to the body shop after all.
I just searched car-part and found exactly 2 cars pictured in passion red. One in Canada. One in Wi. But the Wi one appears to not have the actual tailgate for sale. So it looks like that’s not gonna work either.

grahamR · Jan 7, 2022

I struggle to understand this problem ; in the UK/ Europe, there are holes there in the tailgate with plastic inserts that can be used to mount number plates using screws/ bolts..

Stormtrooper1 · Jan 7, 2022

grahamR said:
I struggle to understand this problem ; in the UK/ Europe, there are holes there in the tailgate with plastic inserts that can be used to mount number plates using screws/ bolts..

In the us there is a metal insert in the tailgate. It’s kind of like a deep socket that the screw attaches to. (It’s visible on the right side of the photo above)
So there is a hole where it should be on the left because it just pulled itself out as it is securley rusted to the license frame. (The photo below is that “insert” on the back of my old frame)

so my issue is I have a gaping hole in my tailgate and I can’t put my rear plate on because there is nothing for the left side screw to attach to. And judging by the fact that the back side of this piece is passion red just like my Xc90 I think it may be part of the cars body and not easily fixed/replaced.

88domer · Jan 7, 2022

I suggest cleaning up the rust/protecting it from future damage, and just remount your bracket with VHB tape. If you can’t get enough contact points to make you comfortable, grab a front plate bracket from a junkyard that is flatter.

ZONE ENTERPRISES – Supports industry leading customers in the automotive, transportation, HVAC, refrigeration, appliance, marine, lighting, medical, electronics, window & door, construction and numerous other industries.

ZONE ENTERPRISES ACQUIRES CAN-DO NATIONAL TAPE. READ MORE TRUSTED BY THE WORLDS MOST RECOGNIZABLE BRANDS FOUNDED IN 1950 Locations in the USA, Mexico and China EXTENSIVE MATERIAL AND CONVERTING SOLUTIONS MARKETS Serving the

www.can-dotape.com

grahamR · Jan 8, 2022

I see the problem now. A "Rivnut" would probably work ( it's a threaded insert that's set into a hole like a pop rivet would be).

vista88 · Jan 8, 2022

The tail gate is made of fiberglass, so no need to worry about rust inhibitors😉

Quick and dirty you could use a wing bolt, the type you find in the hardware store as a drywall anchor. Find one small enough to fit the hole or ream the hole out a little to fit.
That or search through the drywall anchor section to find a suitable type.

Or as mentioned a Tee nut, but I might suggest putting it in from the inside so the flange is on the inside. That way when you tighten the screw it can't pull through.

The current SPA front license bracket uses an expanding nut to hold it to the plastic bumper cover. One of those would also work very well as a permanent fix.

Stormtrooper1 · Jan 8, 2022

vista88 said:
The tail gate is made of fiberglass, so no need to worry about rust inhibitors😉

that makes me happy to hear. One less thing to worry about.

spiked60 · Jan 8, 2022

Stormtrooper1 said:
In the us there is a metal insert in the tailgate. It’s kind of like a deep socket that the screw attaches to. (It’s visible on the right side of the photo above)
So there is a hole where it should be on the left because it just pulled itself out as it is securley rusted to the license frame. (The photo below is that “insert” on the back of my old frame)
View attachment 143256

so my issue is I have a gaping hole in my tailgate and I can’t put my rear plate on because there is nothing for the left side screw to attach to. And judging by the fact that the back side of this piece is passion red just like my Xc90 I think it may be part of the cars body and not easily fixed/replaced.

Huh, well first I'd say buy a new bracket for $10, toss that one, I threw one away a while ago, they're readily available

Then you can start fresh with whatever method works

Stormtrooper1 · Jan 8, 2022

spiked60 said:
Huh, well first I'd say buy a new bracket for $10, toss that one, I threw one away a while ago, they're readily available

lol! That was my thought as soon as I saw it was rusty. I knew it was trash we hit was missing some of the bolts to hold the plate! Already have it in order from FCP.

Stormtrooper1 · Mar 20, 2022

I'll share what my solution was in case anyone else has this problem in the future.
Now that its finally warm enough outside I've tackled this repair.
I got the Volvo Expanding Nut (for like a front plate) from FCP. drilled out the hole to fit and installed that.

No more plate stuck in the back window for me.

erikkress1320 · Jul 9, 2022

I just bought a 2004V70 with 170k from the original owner in New Hampshire in January, there's not a spec of rust on the car which is amazing. The bottom two licence plate bolts were the exception they were rusted and broke off leaving 1/4" of thread showing. The license plate makes the most annoying rattle on bumpy roads or if the stereo is to loud. I'm at my wits end, I'll probably just drill them out and put rivnuts in, that's all I can think of.

vista88 · Jul 9, 2022

erikkress1320 said:
I just bought a 2004V70 with 170k from the original owner in New Hampshire in January, there's not a spec of rust on the car which is amazing. The bottom two licence plate bolts were the exception they were rusted and broke off leaving 1/4" of thread showing. The license plate makes the most annoying rattle on bumpy roads or if the stereo is to loud. I'm at my wits end, I'll probably just drill them out and put rivnuts in, that's all I can think of.

You can buy a new H bracket if that what's broken, comes with four new studs and acorn nuts.
Sounds like the car is worth the small investment.
Just be aware the tailgate is made of fiberglass.

erikkress1320 · Jul 9, 2022

vista88 said:
You can buy a new H bracket if that what's broken, comes with four new studs and acorn nuts.
Sounds like the car is worth the small investment.
Just be aware the tailgate is made of fiberglass.

So I'd have to take the inside panel off the tailgate to replace it? I had to replace the lift struts for the tailgate and even being extremely careful and using professional clip removal tools many of the plastic clips broke off because the plastic was so brittle because of age. I did epoxy the mounts I could find that broke back on, but I'm afraid of creating another rattle disassembling the rear hatch cover. I'll have to check some YouTube videos on how to get it off. Thanks

vista88 · Jul 9, 2022

@erikkress1320
No, you shouldn't have to take the panel off. The H bracket bolts on from the outside with two M6 screws.

Volvo License Plate Bracket - Aftermarket 31391626

www.fcpeuro.com

Can you elaborate or post a picture of your issue?

Rear license holder rusted out? Help!

Stormtrooper1

Stormtrooper1

Eric T Johnson

Eric T Johnson

spiked60

Stormtrooper1

grahamR

Stormtrooper1

88domer

ZONE ENTERPRISES – Supports industry leading customers in the automotive, transportation, HVAC, refrigeration, appliance, marine, lighting, medical, electronics, window & door, construction and numerous other industries.

grahamR

vista88

Stormtrooper1

spiked60

Stormtrooper1

Stormtrooper1

erikkress1320

vista88

erikkress1320

vista88

Volvo License Plate Bracket - Aftermarket 31391626

Top Contributors this Month

Recommended Communities