How are rear plate nuts secured?

[purple52]

Currently on holiday in Norway with my UK XC90 (MY11). Someone tried to rip the rear number plate off a night ago and snapped it. Its still hanging in there and I've got it roughly taped back together, but I'm wondering if I should unbolt it to do a better job. But I'm worried about undoing the two bolts (look like torx heads) holding it on without knowing how the nuts are secured on the other side in case I can't get it back on. Anyone know?

[4x4]

Most likely it will be rivet nuts so you should be able to unscrew the bolt without any problems as the rivet nut will stay in place. If it's a self tapper screw just unscrew and replace with a slightly larger self tapper. If it's a standard nut & bolt then remove the rear interior plastic cover to allow access to the nut

[gmonag]

...or use double sided sticky tape.

[4x4]

Originally Posted by gmonag

...or use double sided sticky tape.

I prefer double sided tape. When you drill holes in the plastic number plate the water eventually gets in between the layers causing them to deteriorate

[purple52]

Originally Posted by 4x4

Most likely it will be rivet nuts so you should be able to unscrew the bolt without any problems as the rivet nut will stay in place.

Thanks! The nuts were indeed fixed to the tail gate, and it came off and on easily with a torx screwdriver. I couldn't find any double sided tape; I guess they don't use it in Norway! However, I found some transparent adhesive film intended to prevent bodywork scuffs, and used that to stick the jigsaw of splintered number plate back together, with a liberal amount of gaffer tape on the back. Almost as good as new! Will hopefully last for a week until we're home.

I guess we were lucky it was bolted on; otherwise it would have been stolen rather than just broken.

[John Brennand]

Originally Posted by purple52

I couldn't find any double sided tape; I guess they don't use it in Norway! .

Carpet tape ? Thats double sided tape for holding rugs onto wooden floors. Or 3M market a range of these for different applications - usually on Amazon. Or "No more Nails" strips are very good.