How to - remove front license plate bracket

[VegStang]

Yeah, I should have assumed the rivets now in hindsight since that appears to be what Ford ships for dealers to do with other vehicles. I'm sure it's easier/faster on the assembly line, but for the customer ?

I think I have a rivet gun around here somewhere. I'm sure with enough time and patience I could fabricate some nice looking plugs for the front that blend well, but like Jeff says that ship has sailed.

Anyway, once I saw mention of that charging credit and $$$ today I stopped thinking about it ? Well, at least until delivery and I don't see any freebies.

I had the same reaction and thoughts... Will be a PITA to remove, and not so great putting it back. Definitely not a simple unscrew and re-screw...

Also going for a PPF install, so will see if they will be willing to remove the bracket, install some bumper plugs as well as a Craig's bracket.

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[eltonlin]

Just dropped mine for PPF and asked that they remove the bracket & replace after XPEL is on. They said fine, they would remove and re-rivet, no problem.

Now that the damage is done, I want the bracket reinstalled and the holes covered up. The no-holes-in-my-bumper ship has sailed.

Yeah I figure no better way to justify the $50 I spent on a bracket then adding another $50 for bumperplugs. . Here's hoping removing the front bracket also solves my wind noise issue.

 

[methorian]

Dropped my Mach-E off at the local XPEL installer and they didn't seem keen on drilling out the rivets and replacing the bracket. It was around closing time so I didn't push it. Wish I would have thought about it sooner and I could have removed it myself before taking it over.

Guess they'll call me with options today once they can look at it.

 

[eltonlin]

Close ups as FYI...

 

[dtbaker61]

I purchased a MME FE today in Ohio and the Bracket was installed. Ohio doesn’t require front plates. I was disappointed and asked why the dealer would install the front bracket and they told me the factory did.

Back in 2015 I had the same issue with an Infiniti Q50. I found this website with a perfect solution. They even come pre-painted in Grabber Blue.

https://bumperplugs.com/ford/bumperplugs-for-ford

the bumperplugs may come 'close' to colormatch, for $30
or, you can get generic black ones at the hardware or automotive parts store for about $1.... just sayin.

 

[Stang68]

Rivets?!?! Holy hell, I thought I was done thinking about the front bracket! ?

This will make the PPF install more of a pain, was planning on just leaving the bracket since the damage was done but will need to remove it for the PPF install. What a PITA Ford- did the bonehead that made this decision not understand there might be a need to remove/reinstall it?

It's debatable at this point if the 3 plugs (2 would have been better) look any better than the bracket, but reinstalling it will be problematic.

If it wasn't for the $1500+ $2500 options incentives I'd drive down to Phoenix and buy one off a lot there (would have to find one.)



The marks around the perimeter of the bracket just residue/dirt, or did you have to buff them out of the paint?

I don’t know, I’ve seen a few with plugs already on Facebook and AlexOnAutos and it looks decent enough. Better than a front plate in my opinion.

 

[Sobeer]

the bumperplugs may come 'close' to colormatch, for $30
or, you can get generic black ones at the hardware or automotive parts store for about $1.... just sayin.

bumperplugs.com worked great on my Grabber Blue FE. Did not have to drill out the holes. Extremely happy with the plugs.

 

[dtbaker61]

The marks around the perimeter of the bracket just residue/dirt, or did you have to buff them out of the paint?

just a little dirt that crept in during transit. wiped right off.

The little button plugs I used are just standard soft black plastic.... hardly show up on Infinite Blue. If you have a bright color, you may want to spray with matching touchup paint before install, or pay $30 for pre-painted plugs

 

[CHeil402]

I’m wondering this as well. In PA we don’t have front plates. Why would they ship them with front plate brackets to states that don’t require them?

I would take a look at your window sticker. I've seen front plate bracket as a line item on some and not others. Presumably if it's not on your window sticker it won't be installed. I'm in PA and mine didn't have it on the sticker so here's hoping. I took a test drive of a demo last week that didn't have it. ?

 

[dtbaker61]

bumperplugs.com worked great on my Grabber Blue FE. Did not have to drill out the holes. Extremely happy with the plugs.

nice color match!
my Infinite blue is dark enough that black plugs are not TOO bad

 

[Stang68]

bumperplugs.com worked great on my Grabber Blue FE. Did not have to drill out the holes. Extremely happy with the plugs.

Looks fantastic. I'll be getting those for my Rapid Red since the dealer told me no what they tried, Ford is shipping them to NJ with front brackets installed.

 

[JosephG53]

Ok....the more I thought about how a rivet works......you should be able to push the pin of the rivet through the back and remove rivets.....these rivets were not easy to push so I used a heat gun for about 15 seconds and bingo....

Lost 2 of the pins behind the bumper but imagine they will find their way out down the road.

All set for XPEL install next week

 

[Dmhccs]

I would take a look at your window sticker. I've seen front plate bracket as a line item on some and not others. Presumably if it's not on your window sticker it won't be installed. I'm in PA and mine didn't have it on the sticker so here's hoping. I took a test drive of a demo last week that didn't have it. ?

Thanks! i just checked the demo at the dealership where I test drove the MME. No front plate bracket.

 

[JosephG53]

Should be an easy replace once XPEL is installed. I ordered bumper plugs as well. Maybe I just keep the license plate, bracket and 3 new plastic rivets in the frunk in case of emergency or fixit ticket. Also, I have to say.....it's a shame the simply drilled three holes into that beautiful car. Has to be a better way. Not much design or engineering thought behind it. It really should be up to us to put holes in our cars. I know it's law here in CA but..... I would feel better if there was at least a nutsert. Car is permanently scarred, just seems such an after thought....rant over.

 

[Kamuelaflyer]

Should be an easy replace once XPEL is installed. I ordered bumper plugs as well. Maybe I just keep the license plate, bracket and 3 new plastic rivets in the frunk in case of emergency or fixit ticket. Also, I have to say.....it's a shame the simply drilled three holes into that beautiful car. Has to be a better way. Not much design or engineering thought behind it. It really should be up to us to put holes in our cars. I know it's law here in CA but..... I would feel better if there was at least a nutsert. Car is permanently scarred, just seems such an after thought....rant over.

Make something like Craig's brackets standard for front plate states. Don't install those either though. Let the dealer or (better yet) the customer do it.

But what do I know?

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