Clips for Rear License Plate Trim

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Baja_CNY
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Clips for Rear License Plate Trim

Post by Baja_CNY »

Hello Everyone

The bolts that hold the back license
plate on, were rusted solid.

Also, parts of the mounting bracket
for the license plate were rusting.

So I took it all apart and kind of
marveled at how much thought
has gone into this part. It has
many pieces and is very complicated.

All this . . . . so the license plate
could hinge down when the gate
is open. WOW. This part is about
$330 new and for once, I can see
why. I imagine this being one persons
pet-project.

I removed as many pieces as I could
and sandblasted the mount and then
painted it black. I pressed-out the
license plate mounting bolts (they
are spot-welded as well as being
pressed !) and got stainless bolts
and caps.

Unfortunately, this is probably the
one and only project that I don't have
any pictures of.

But . . . on to my question.

There is a trim piece that goes over
the license plate and there are two
plastic clips on the back that hold it
on. The clips it seems, work once,
but not a second time.

So I need some new clips and they
are not sold separately, at least for
this application.

Seems hard to believe that Subaru
made these clips just for this one
purpose.

Does anyone know if these clips
can be purchased and perhaps,
a part number?

Pics attached are of the trim piece
and the clip.

I appreciate your help . . . Brian
Attachments
Cropped (2).JPG
Cropped (2).JPG (2.04 MiB) Viewed 6422 times
Cropped (1).JPG
Cropped (1).JPG (764.83 KiB) Viewed 6422 times
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Guacamole
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Re: Clips for Rear License Plate Trim

Post by Guacamole »

Baja_CNY wrote: Wed Oct 04, 2017 10:46 am Seems hard to believe that Subaru
made these clips just for this one
purpose.
You'd be surprised.
Well, I looked through the factory service manuals & parts guide (see parts index here: http://www.scoobytruck.com/pdf/Baja_2003-2005.pdf)... aaand it looks like those aren't listed.

FSM just says to "remove" lol
platedissassembly.JPG
platedissassembly.JPG (102.32 KiB) Viewed 6418 times
Subaru Parts doesn't even have the clips listed: https://parts.subaru.com/a/Subaru__Baja ... 91-05.html

Any chance you could post a pic of just the clip by itself? It's difficult to see it inside the trim piece, and the only part I'm coming close to is #62731fa000, which is a screw grommet (definitely not it).

If anything, I'd call your local subie dealer's parts department & ask for the clips for the trim piece, which is part #91242AE270BE. They *should* know what you're talking about. Heck, maybe the clips come with the trim piece?

EDIT: Not being a smartass or anything here, but make sure you're putting it back together correctly. I'm just now thinking if they don't list the clips, they're probably intended to stay with the piece & (are probably) quite robust (unlike interior panel clips :evil:)
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Baja_CNY
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Re: Clips for Rear License Plate Trim

Post by Baja_CNY »

Thanks so much Guacamole.

You did way more than you should
but I appreciate it.

Posting more pics is the least I could do

Also, some measurements:

From the back: 16mm long, 12mm wide, 11mm tall
Clip part on the front: 8mm long, 6mm wide

Yes, I thought the same thing about installing it.
Maybe I wasn't clicking it in right. I tried both
on the workbench and the car with the same results.
Even just the clip itself, not attached to the trim,
doesn't snap in properly.

I thought about giving the dealer a try too, but
thought I would ask here first.

Thanks again . . . Brian
Attachments
Clip (3).JPG
Clip (3).JPG (547.97 KiB) Viewed 6415 times
Clip (2).JPG
Clip (2).JPG (479.07 KiB) Viewed 6415 times
Clip (1).JPG
Clip (1).JPG (337.26 KiB) Viewed 6415 times
Baja_CNY
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Re: Clips for Rear License Plate Trim

Post by Baja_CNY »

A couple more pics.

Could only do 3 in the previous post.
Attachments
Clip (5).JPG
Clip (5).JPG (665.11 KiB) Viewed 6415 times
Clip (4).JPG
Clip (4).JPG (417.22 KiB) Viewed 6415 times
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Guacamole
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Re: Clips for Rear License Plate Trim

Post by Guacamole »

Well, I've checked honda, toyota, & nissan clip types as well (since they own each others' stocks & tend to share misc parts & the like)... and still nothing. This unfortunately might be a proprietary piece.

Expect the unexpected from Subaru- after all this is the company that welded jumpseats in the bed of a truck to avoid a 25% import tax!
Last edited by Guacamole on Wed Oct 04, 2017 10:53 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Guacamole
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Re: Clips for Rear License Plate Trim

Post by Guacamole »

EDIT: double post
Last edited by Guacamole on Sun Nov 19, 2017 10:34 am, edited 2 times in total.
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Baja_CNY
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Re: Clips for Rear License Plate Trim

Post by Baja_CNY »

You did a lot of work on my behalf Guacamole
and I appreciate it.

I will get with my local parts guy and see if
there is anything available and one-way-or-
another, post the answer here.

I'm not hopeful though. If you couldn't find
it, I bet it doesn't exist as a separate item.

Thanks again . . . Brian
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Guacamole
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Re: Clips for Rear License Plate Trim

Post by Guacamole »

I aim to please! :D

Keep in mind though, I did broad searches through existing clips on first & third-party suppliers- the clip may still exist but maybe I'm not using the right keywords or something.

If all else fails, bolt that sucker back on!
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sfeather11
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Re: Clips for Rear License Plate Trim

Post by sfeather11 »

Wow, believe it or not, just yesterday I started reassembling this entire bracket. I had removed the entire assembly, soaked it in an electrolysis tank for a day (to zap away the rust), cleaned and painted it too. It is definitely an interesting part! When disassembling it, I too broke one of the clips off that trim piece exactly like you. My research last week turned up absolutely nothing on the clips, but I did find the part numbers for the trim piece itself. They come prepainted and the price depends on the color (range was between $45 to $60). I would ASSUME the clips would be shipped with the trim piece, but I am not blowing cash on a guess. So, being the cheapo I am, I ended up hot gluing it back on at all 3 points. This is a very low use area, so I'm hoping it will last. If not, THEN I'll buy a new trim piece to see...

I am wishing now that I had knocked out the 4 studs like you did. While the electrolysis worked great on removing the rust, there was not much left of these studs. They are very short too. With some gentle manipulating I was able to get new nuts on all 4 studs, but there is not much material there holding them on. I expect them to be the 1st pieces to re-rust, even after painting...

Say, did you happen to refurb your tailgate handle? Mine was sticking horribly so I decided to fix/upgrade that while everything is apart. I ended up cutting the rusty pivot pin out and replacing it with a 3/16" plastic rod. Works like a dream now! I just ordered 2 retaining clips tonight to hold the pin in place. Once they arrive I'll slap them on and take a few pics if anyone would like to see...

Peace!
Scott
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