Model S Refresh: License Holder Part of Bumper?

[aesculus]

I so wanted this for my Model X but alas it does not have the attachment underneath the new S does. Hopefully this gets moved over to the Model X soon so others can benefit from the redesign. For me I just got a bag of screws and license plate frame from the SC today so I will be drilling away this weekend.

 

[K_style]

Now if we can just convince the DSs to remove them before we get our cars. Some are saying they "can't".

My DS is on board with this. He doesn't like front plate thing either.

 

[James Anders]

He said, she said...

I'm just glad I live in a state that requires a front license plate. That makes it easy for me as a law-abiding citizen.

I'm just glad I live in a state that doesn't require a front license plate. That makes it easy for me to be a law-abiding citizen while not putting up with a ugly, mileage-sapping front plate on my car.

 

[Tanquen]

Now if we can just convince the DSs to remove them before we get our cars. Some are saying they "can't".

My DS just told me that they are not coming with the brackets installed. ??? Maybe he just don't keep up on stuff. If it's that easy to take off I don't care but I've seen some emblems on cars with that foam double-sided tape stuff whatever it is and they use floss to cut through it and then take the emblem off the paint underneath had issues. The photo looks good though.

 

[JoshG]

here's a closeup view of the bracket... this one is the floor model at Burlingame, CA service center.
I can confirm it's kind of "L-shape" bracket that bolts under the front bumper and then is held in place in the front with double-sided tape. Easy to attach and remove as desired with no cosmetic issues.

 

[James Anders]

Since this was the primary thread about the license plate holder I thought I would add the following...

The screws on the bottom are non-standard security screws that have a 5-point (not standard 6) star shape in the style of a Torx Plus. I've searched high and low and no one makes a socket to fit these weirdo screws.

So, I am getting some of these screws shortly and intend to design a 3D printed metal socket insert to solve this problem. I will give this CAD model to anyone and I'll also post this on www.shapeways.com

It should be reasonably inexpensive printed out of stainless steel because it will be so small.

I'll keep everyone posted.

One way or another I'm not planning to leave with the car with that front plate bracket attached.

 

[FlatSix911]

Great idea ... I am interested in the 5 point socket.

Since this was the primary thread about the license plate holder I thought I would add the following...

The screws on the bottom are non-standard security screws that have a 5-point (not standard 6) star shape in the style of a Torx Plus. I've searched high and low and no one makes a socket to fit these weirdo screws.

So, I am getting some of these screws shortly and intend to design a 3D printed metal socket insert to solve this problem. I will give this CAD model to anyone and I'll also post this on www.shapeways.com

It should be reasonably inexpensive printed out of stainless steel because it will be so small.

I'll keep everyone posted.

One way or another I'm not planning to leave with the car with that front plate bracket attached.

 

[SDRick]

Would a needle nose vise grip suffice?

 

[gsxdsm]

Since this was the primary thread about the license plate holder I thought I would add the following...

The screws on the bottom are non-standard security screws that have a 5-point (not standard 6) star shape in the style of a Torx Plus. I've searched high and low and no one makes a socket to fit these weirdo screws.

So, I am getting some of these screws shortly and intend to design a 3D printed metal socket insert to solve this problem. I will give this CAD model to anyone and I'll also post this on www.shapeways.com

It should be reasonably inexpensive printed out of stainless steel because it will be so small.

I'll keep everyone posted.

One way or another I'm not planning to leave with the car with that front plate bracket attached.

Sell them. $20/ea. You have a golden market opportunity now.

 

[Manny13z]

My DS told me that by law, they cannot remove the bracket. I find this really annoying.

 

[James Anders]

Would a needle nose vise grip suffice?

Would be tough because of the odd number (5) of lobes or teeth on the screw head. Pliers would work best if the gripping edges were 180 degrees apart.

 

[SDRick]

Would be tough because of the odd number (5) of lobes or teeth on the screw head. Pliers would work best if the gripping edges were 180 degrees apart.

Now that I have looked underneath, there does not appear to be enough clearance to get a vice grip or pliers in there.

 

[FlatSix911]

As stated previously, the plastic is very soft so you can just pull of the plate and then remove the security screws with pliers.

 

[MDMGSO47]

gator Grip socket

 

[gsxdsm]

gator Grip socket

Gator grip is too large to fit in the plastic bracket - there are ridges on the side that block it. Once you remove the plastic bracket, you can use a gator grip to remove the screws, but you will have already destroyed the bracket.

 

[travwill]

I missed the early pages of this thread but looks like everyone agrees. The plate is glued on now and comes off from what I heard.

Apparently the new MS refresh was crash tested with a plate/bracket/frame on it, and so they have to deliver all the news ones with plate/bracket until they crash test it again without one (if they do).

 

[James Anders]

As stated previously, the plastic is very soft so you can just pull of the plate and then remove the security screws with pliers.

But then you have buggered up the bracket if you or anyone else ever needs it in the future.

 

[James Anders]

I missed the early pages of this thread but looks like everyone agrees. The plate is glued on now and comes off from what I heard.

Apparently the new MS refresh was crash tested with a plate/bracket/frame on it, and so they have to deliver all the news ones with plate/bracket until they crash test it again without one (if they do).

Which seems like a total BS answer to me. Is this to say it was a total screw-up by Tesla to test with the bracket on as opposed to off?

 

[RIZE]

Tesla

Get a 150K car, license plate with tape...

Not a problem actually, at least we can take it off.

 

[MDMGSO47]

I missed the early pages of this thread but looks like everyone agrees. The plate is glued on now and comes off from what I heard.

Apparently the new MS refresh was crash tested with a plate/bracket/frame on it, and so they have to deliver all the news ones with plate/bracket until they crash test it again without one (if they do).

Actually the plate is glued on and screwed on with safety screws for which there may be no available removal tool. Apparently it is possible to just rip the plate mount away from the two screws below the bumper (destroying the plate mount) and then remove the screws with pliers.