Rear license plate screw anchor

In order to mount my license plates, I removed the dealer's frame and "advertisement" plate. As I was unscrewing the left side, I noticed the plastic anchor was coming out with the screw. I've attached a photo for your reference. I went to my local Porsche dealer (Stead Porsche in Walnut Creek, CA) and asked the service advisor what could be done. She told me that the plastic screw anchor was part of the rear bumper and that I should see a body shop (one they recommended for me). I went to the body shop, and they told me that it would probably be about 1-1.5 hours of labor to remove and reinstall the bumper, and I should simply glue a plastic anchor from the hardware store to the inside of the bumper -- or, they could glue it on for me... for an additional charge. As the body shop tech described it, "we're going to just rig it somehow to work -- it won't be a 'factory' repair." I returned to the Porsche dealer and asked them if Porsche would pay for this repair under warranty and the service advisor told me, no, and that it was considered "wear-and-tear." I asked again if she could "work with me" on this and "be on my side" when it comes to asking Porsche Cars North America if they would cover this under warranty instead of just telling me "no" on the spot. Before she reluctantly agreed to take a photo and ask her manager about it, she suggested that I talk to the dealer that sold me the vehicle (wasn't this local dealer) because.... as she put it, "They screwed up the anchor when they put on the dealer plates." Frankly, I don't care who she wishes to blame (although I've already contacted the dealer who sold me the car - no reply yet). Also, if it's a decision between getting citations for not having a license plate vs. paying some amount to a body shop to repair this problem -- I can afford to get this repair done. However, I'm disappointed by the response of my local dealer's service advisor. Is she simply following corporate orders to turn away as many warranty claims as possible? Is "wear and tear" the response they are told to give as much as possible? I haven't heard back from the service advisor or her manager yet, but what do you suggest? Should I try another dealer in the area? Go ahead and write a letter?

Well, first off, there is no anchor. The screw is driven directly in the polyurethane of the bumper cover. That spiral you see coming out of the hole is stripped-out bumper material -- it's there because someone overtightened the screw. Any shapes or "mounts" you see are simply molded directly into the bumper. Before you do anything else, clip off the spiral and then see if your license plate screw will hold. PU has some stretch, so there might be enough material left to hold your screw, even though some has been stripped out. You won't be able to tighten the screw as much as if it wasn't stripped out, but it might still be tight enough to hold your screw and plate. If it turns out that your screw won't hold, there are two basic fixes: Get a bigger screw. Make the hole smaller. Option 1 is the easiest and cheapest. Look for a screw that is just slightly larger, and be careful to not overtighten it. If your screw is too big, you'll need to pre-drill the hole to a larger size. Also, if you keep stripping out the screw hole, you'll eventually run out of usable screw sizes, and will need to proceed to option 2. Option 2 is more difficult and expensive, but is arguably more "correct". Probably the easiest way to do this is to go to a body shop supply house and get some PU repair glue. Mix up a small batch and use a toothpick to put some in the hole. Once it hardens, drill the hole out with a proper-size drill bit (as a pilot hole), and then just use your original screw. Unfortunately, PU repair glue is expensive. Unless you are really attached to the stock license plate screws, I'd recommend trying option 1 before option 2.

I seem to remember there should be a plate bracket between the bumper and the license plate, they came with the car albeit may have not been fitted. I also removed the dealer bracket but no big holes luckily. I would look at the screw and possible replace it with a larger diameter one but fit the bracket then if you need to remove the plate the only thing you may ruin is the replaceable bracket.

Thanks. I'll give those suggestions a try. Good to know what's behind that hole, too. Also, I never got a bracket.

I think there is a rear plastic plate bracket that screws onto the two larger diameter holes in the middle of the bumper. The plastic plate has four holes in the normal positions (2 up top, 2 on the bottom) to attach a plate with standard 1/4" screws. The local dealer should be able to locate this. I'm thinking of looking for this bracket too right now. The dealer screws are too wide for me to install a screw cap on them and they are slowly rusting away. Another member from Canada on this site just took delivery of a new car and I remember seeing this plate in his photos. This was within the last 3 days, I've gotta go search for it now.

Looking at the photo again, the dealer has used the top two holes to secure the plate. The bracket uses the lower holes (you can just see the two rings that suround them in the photo). So get yourself the bracket, the correct (non-rusting) screws and fit that.

Here we go, follow the link over to 6speedonline where someone is taking delivery of a new turbo. See the blank backing plate installed? It appears to be mounted using the two larger screw hole openings on the left and right side of the opening. Backing plate If you can find this plate, you'll get four new screw holes for the plate to attach to. Then you can worry about more things like should I get a carbon fiber looking frame, body colored frame or even one with a neon tube around it!

OK Nick, you win, we're trying to outduel each other helping this new member! :cheers: Welcome to the board Lanterne Rouge and post more picts of specs of you new Cayman !

Thank you for all the help! Seems like I shouldn't have any problems at all. Since there isn't a rush to put the plates on, I think I will wait until the next couple storm systems pass through, wash the car (you probably can tell the car needs a bath already from the photos), then install this bracket I need to get in the meantime.

I have a stupid question- How did that guy get in that turbo to pull it out of the truck? Doesn't seem like any clearance for the door to open, did he climb onto the car and climb through the window?

Most of the time in trailers like that, they do it "Dukes of Hazzard" style and climb in via the driver window. I guess they need to hire some real skinny drivers! Although in this trailer I do see a side door opening so I guess it could be done squeezing in.

Maybe he wasn't the truck driver. He drove the car into the trailer and never got out of the car. The guy stayed in the car whilst the truck driver drove the truck. Then arriving at the destination the driver of the car backed out the car.

Did all of you get the blank rear backing plate? I just took off my dealer plate frame and noticed there are only 2 screws (that are rusting) at the top. I need to be able to screw in my custom plate from the bottom too.

Hey samwY, Check out my thread here: http://www.planet-9.com/zone-1/20128-lazy-sunday-photos.html

***** You may hate this idea but, I just drilled 2 holes for the lower screws & used stainless steel sheet metal screws in all the holes. Am not using a frame or cover, & never received a rear backing plate. A good coat of wax on the plate will make eaiser to keep clean.

How much is the backing plate?

If you want everything OEM that comes with the rear plate anchor here are the parts. Cost me $43... There's a diagram on Pelicanparts.com Item Name Item Price Quantity Item Total --------- ---------- -------- ---------- OEM-90014313400 $1.00 4 $4.00 Tapping screw, 4,2 X 9,5 Brand: Genuine Porsche - This is a special-order OEM part and is non-returnable except for warranty replacement. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- OEM-90002502440 $1.00 4 $4.00 Washer, 4,3 X 9 Brand: Genuine Porsche - This is a special-order OEM part and is non-returnable except for warranty replacement. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- OEM-99959149840 $2.00 4 $8.00 Special nut Brand: Genuine Porsche - This is a special-order OEM part and is non-returnable except for warranty replacement. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- OEM-91457190310 $1.00 2 $2.00 Rubber washer Brand: Genuine Porsche - This is a special-order OEM part and is non-returnable except for warranty replacement. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- OEM-99902523540 $1.25 2 $2.50 Rubber washer Brand: Genuine Porsche - This is a special-order OEM part and is non-returnable except for warranty replacement. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- OEM-90014304302 $1.00 2 $2.00 Tapping screw, B 4,2 X 22 Brand: Genuine Porsche - This is a special-order OEM part and is non-returnable except for warranty replacement. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- OEM-99670110700 $9.75 1 $9.75 Support Brand: Genuine Porsche - This is a special-order OEM part and is non-returnable except for warranty replacement. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Shipping for Package 1: $11.00 Total Price: $43.25

$43! for somthing that should come free?

Should I complain to my dealer about this? My dealer just screwed their license plate frame into the rear bumper like some others here have shown, but my 2003 Boxster S had the rear backing plate.

I have the same situation on the plate mounting on my Cayman : only two screws threaded directly into the bumper. It had me somewhat puzzled as it seemed uniquely "flimsy" compared to the rest of the car. It's not a big concern for me, except if my plate falls off.

I thought about it... but it wasnt worth the hassel and bad relationship for it... so If I really want it I'll prob end up buying it... or like someone said... till I lose my plate then I'll be yelling.

FWIW, it looks like Porsche believes it's OK either way or they wouldn't have the two smaller holes in the bumper area for you to screw the plate directly in in addition to the two larger holes to mount the rear mounting plate. At least that's my theory; I can't imagine why they wouldn't supply the same plate as on the 997 otherwise. Certainly they wouldn't expect the dealer to provide it and "lose" $50/car…

Question, If someone uses FRONT the stock license plate attachment, can the backing plate be used with a frame, say a new Cayman Club frame?

I actually don't think so as the front plate bracket has a curve to it which I don't think will play well with a license plate bracket. I haven't actually tried it though, so YMMV.

Sorry to ask if this isn't the right place, but I thought I saw someone mention that with their new CS it came with a backing plate on it, if anyone knows pls. let me know so I don't order one, thanks

Hey shakeypicts, I think the best thing to do would be to add this item to your pre-delivery checklist with the dealer. I asked them to program the key for a short delay before opening the trunk and to lock the doors automatically above 5 MPH. I'm sure they can find a backing plate from another car to smooth your delivery process out.

PP13 Will do, just thought I saw here somewhere a new one came with the plate, but ya, they should have one kickin around, if not I'll ask them to order one for me, thanks

Looking at the latest Porsche Cayman parts diagram PDF , it appears that even they don't use the rear backing plate for the 987, rather the center holes are for the european backing plate and the upper screws are for the US backing plate. The parts I saw in the diagram were: 987 701 107 01 01C - license plate backing plate (black) ($28.75) 999 919 227 A2 - 5 x 13 self-tapping screws (8 apparently needed - perhaps they're including the front plate backer in this number) ($1.00 each) Prices are those listed at Pelican Parts. Total rear backer price - $36.75 plus shipping. The thing is the same part number is listed for the front plate backer, but those of us with front plate mounts know the mount has a curve to it, as seen here: which makes me wonder if it would flatten out at all when used on the flat plate mounting portion of the rear bumper. Stranger still - the bracket is only $26.99 at a site called BimmerSpecialist.com .

By this fact, it would appear that indeed a front mount mounting back plate does exist, can be used, because it IS curved. Intetesting...

Sorry to take so long to follow up, but after a nice discussion with my local Porsche dealer's parts manager, here's what they actually gave me and what works very well: 997 701 113 00 01C - license plate backing plate (black) ($9.75) 999 919 227 A2 - attachment screws (6 required) ($1.00 each) Prices are those at Pelican Parts . Not only does it work nicely, it's incredibly inexpensive compared to the part Porsche officially recommends, which is the same as the front license plate mount, and though it will deform flat if four screws are used to screw it to the bumper, there will still be strange gaps on the sides where the trim is cut to the shape of the curved front bumper. The bracket listed above is the rear plate bracket shipped with all new 997 s as seen here: With the parts above you can install a rear plate bracket for under $20, perhaps even less than that if you can talk your dealer into giving you a handful of mounting screws for free.

I am holding the front license plate mounting bracket in my hand as I write this. This bracket came with my 2008 Cayman S from the dealer when I got the car. The numbers on the back (there are 2 #'s) are 987.701.051.04 and 987.701.107.01. One number must be for the bracket and the second for the package of screws attached to the back of the backet with tape. There are 8 #10 x 1/2" stainless steel phillips head sheet metal screws and 2 #10 x 1" stainless steel phillips head sheet metal screws in the package. The salesman told me that this was for my front license plate. The bracket is curved to mount on the front bumper. There appears to be a bracket under the dealer license plate frame that has my temporary plate. I don't want to remove the temporary plate until I install my permanent license plate. I don't want to enlarge the mounting holes by removing and reinstalling the screws more times than necessary.

ezmoney Just so I know, did you ask the dealer ahead of time for the brackets or did you not even mention it, just wondering if I need to, probably will anyway so that I have them, they didn't charge anything for them did they?

sounds like a handfull of people got both the front and rear backing plate. I've already changed out my temp paper dealer plate to my real plate and the back came with no such backing plate. for $9.75 I think I'll go pick one up. If I can ever get my lazy butt to drive up to the dealer.

I didn't ask for the brackets. The salesman just gave them to me. There was no charge. I'm still debating if I will ever use the front bracket. I don't want holes in the front bumper.

Definately won't drill into front bumper, but am going to get a curved bracket for when I'm stopped and basically forced to mount a plate rather than pay too many fines, I'll shape the Moweraxle mount bracket to fit the curved plate so it looks somewhat decent...thanks