License Plate Nut Threads

[TravisT]

Just got my permanent plate to replace the temp tag from when I bought my 04. Noticed that one of the threads on the hatch for the license plate would only thread in about half way then stopped. I imagine that someone cross threaded it at some point (probably the dealer). It had the plastic frame on it from the dealer but I took that off. Without the spacer, it doesn't tighten the license plate down on one side. Looking at it from the outside, it looks like the nut is made onto the hatchback, but is there a way to replace that from the inside?

If not, I guess I'll be breaking out the tap & die set...

Just curious if anyone knew before I pulled everything apart.

 

[d_clark]

I don't think it can be replaced. When I got a new tag last year, the dealer provided plastic screws broke, I punched the plastic screw out, then ran a tap down the threads.

 

[TravisT]

Thanks for confirming that. I didn't want to pull it all apart just to find out that was the only way to fix it anyway.

 

[fivegear]

When I got my 4Runner it had a rusted up broken bolt stuck in one side. I ended up drilling it out and retapping the threads. The nut is welded to the liftgate, pretty dumb design really. Better believe I used plenty of anti-seize on those threads!

 

[thegardentool]

I have a similar issue from when I removed my paper tag that one screw would only go about half way. Oddly when I swapped the positions the same screw would only go half way again. So I think my screw is damaged and not the internal threading.

Might be worth a shot to check to see if yours is the same and hope it's just that screw is well screwy.

 

[TechWrench]

I had problems with mine. Original screws from dealer started rusting, and one broke when I tried to remove it. Wound up drilling both out and replacing threads with heli-coils. Replaced all screws with stainless fastners, no more rust.