May 4, 2016
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.
�
May 4, 2016
K_style My DS is on board with this. He doesn't like front plate thing either.�
May 4, 2016
James Anders 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.�
May 4, 2016
Tanquen 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.�
May 4, 2016
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.
�
May 29, 2016
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.�
May 29, 2016
FlatSix911 Great idea ... I am interested in the 5 point socket.
�
May 29, 2016
SDRick Would a needle nose vise grip suffice?�
May 29, 2016
eclipxe Sell them. $20/ea. You have a golden market opportunity now.�
May 29, 2016
Manny13z My DS told me that by law, they cannot remove the bracket. I find this really annoying.�
May 29, 2016
James Anders 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.�
May 29, 2016
SDRick Now that I have looked underneath, there does not appear to be enough clearance to get a vice grip or pliers in there.�
May 29, 2016
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.�
May 29, 2016
MDMGSO47 gator Grip socket�
May 29, 2016
eclipxe 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.�
May 30, 2016
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).�
May 30, 2016
James Anders But then you have buggered up the bracket if you or anyone else ever needs it in the future.�
May 30, 2016
James Anders 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?�
May 30, 2016
RIZE Tesla
Get a 150K car, license plate with tape...
Not a problem actually, at least we can take it off.�
May 30, 2016
MDMGSO47 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.�
May 30, 2016
FlatSix911 Or just wait until the printed security socket is available ...
�
May 30, 2016
SDRick So has anyone managed to remove the bracket without damage? My hunch is that if the screws are not too tight they could be removed with a 90� bent needle nose plier.�
May 30, 2016
James Anders I think pliers would work if there was an even number of lobes or points. Pliers can grip 180 degrees apart. There's a reason why 5 point fasteners are used for security.
Hang tight. I'm going to push this through so I'm ready for my delivery in June.�
May 30, 2016
MDMGSO47 Socket to me.�
May 30, 2016
beantobe Definitely interested in a socket that fits as well. Taking delivery in early June.�
May 30, 2016
Soundchasr Has anyone actually seen the law that the DS's claim prevents them from removing the license holder? I've been been a lawyer for 20 years and can't imagine that there is any such law that would preclude them from removing the holder after delivery. I can (almost) understand having to deliver it with the holder but after we show up to get the car we should be able to tell them to remove it.�
May 30, 2016
DCGOO I was told it was "Tesla policy." Might have the same effect on the average 22 year old Tesla employee. I would have no problem refusing delivery on the vehicle if the bracket was attached. We have never had front license plates in my state.�
May 30, 2016
pixel4
I recall someone on here claiming that Tesla had performed crash testing with the plate on and so they were forced to include it.�
May 30, 2016
Soundchasr Yes but that does not explain the refusal to remove it after we arrive for delivery.�
May 30, 2016
James Anders That's the "story". Seems strange to me. First, I can't imagine the plate holder making any significant difference. Second, why wouldn't they leave it off for the test? Or do all car companies need to test with and without plates/brackets?�
May 30, 2016
Tanquen I'm not sure if it's a requirement but I do seem to remember tests involving low speed contact with the bumpers and associated costs of repair. It may indeed be that without the front bracket the metal hood makes contact first and causes great deal more cost with low speed front end contact.�
May 30, 2016
Soundchasr I don't really care about the reasons why they include it. I just want it removed when I get the car. I've bought a lot of cars and I've never had a dealer tell me they wouldn't remove the license holder.�
May 30, 2016
SDRick As long as I can remove the bracket and reattach if necessary I am fine with it. At this point it appears to be easier said than done.�
May 30, 2016
SDRick Well I guess we have an answer and not too difficult.
Facelift MS with front license plate holder removed & rear debadged�
May 30, 2016
FlatSix911 Well done!
�
May 31, 2016
Zaphod Alternate method of removing the security bolts is to take a Dremel tool and cut slot in the bolt head and use a flat head screw driver.�
May 31, 2016
K_style 11/32 it is. Will be doing that as soon as I get home.�
May 31, 2016
Manny13z Tesla's promotional pictures on their website does not show the cars with the front license plate holder, false advertisement I say! If the car comes with it installed, the promotional pictures should show it as well.�
May 31, 2016
Reekdog All three showrooms I've been to in Los Angeles Ca. area have taken the front plate off of their Red floor model. I also saw a couple of new deliveries being prepped that had the front plate remove by the service tech's.
�
May 31, 2016
Soundchasr Then they should be willing to remove it for us on delivery...�
May 31, 2016
K_style Mine was refused at the delivery a week ago. Was told it was their "Policy"
At the end, I really didn't care. I just wanted to drive that sucker after waiting and waiting. Especially we found out there is no holes on the bumper it self and pretty easy to remove.�
May 31, 2016
Reekdog I'm sure they will, if you ask nicely... or at least loan you a tool to remove the two bolts. after that the rest is fairly easy.�
May 31, 2016
KinjaChris If they are required to deliver wirh the front plate, Consider asking them to not use the adhesive tape. Removal would be one minute without the sticky tape .�
Jun 1, 2016
James Anders That does not seem to be the case for most.�
Jun 1, 2016
James Anders I think it's put on at the Factory and not at the dealer.�
Jun 1, 2016
Soundchasr It's annoying that they won't remove the holder after delivery (my DS say "it's federal law"). It's even more annoying that the DS's don't know the tool to remove the bolts and can't provide information on where to get one. This despite the fact that many of the showroom cars have the license holder removed and the design studio doesn't have one either.�
Jun 1, 2016
Manny13z I agree 100%. I love the car, this is not going to prevent that. But this will affect my perception of satisfaction with delivery. To me, the fact that they show it without the tag on their website and showroom vehicles yet deliver it with it on is false advertisement. What really aggravated me was not them telling me they couldn't remove it, it was how difficult they've made it for the owner to do so with the security screws.�
Jun 1, 2016
Soundchasr I wrote a brief email to Tesla. Maybe if other people do also they'll change the policy.�
Jun 1, 2016
KinjaChris My rep confirmed today that they have to sell it exactly as crash tested so the plates are mandatory�
Jun 1, 2016
James Anders Confirmed the party line and talking points. Surely, it's a bureaucratic thing and not an engineering thing.�
Jun 3, 2016
K_style IDK... 11/32 didn't work for me... tried both 1/4" drive and 3/8" drive.�
Jun 3, 2016
Qnrur Was it a 6 Point 11/32 socket? Was able to remove mine with it. Isn't on tight and almost didn't think it was catching the little arms, but it did come out pretty easily.
If you remove the three screws on the front it'll look like this when you take the outer frame off. Though it could be removed as one piece too.
�
Jun 3, 2016
DoubleE Removed it by bending it slowly until it popped off. Bracket and mount are fine. Can be put back on if needed.�
Jun 3, 2016
K_style I used both 6 point and multi point sockets... it felt it was too loose when I tried to turn it..�
Jun 3, 2016
HankLloydRight Looks like a little Hitler moustache.
Or maybe Charlie Chaplin.�
Jun 3, 2016
Qnrur Haha
That's unfortunate..�
Jun 3, 2016
Soundchasr Would be nice if Tesla just told us what socket to use.... I send them a message but haven't heard back.�
Jun 3, 2016
James Anders There is no commercially available socket. This is a specially designed fastener for security. I've checked high and low.�
Jun 3, 2016
Soundchasr Why would they do that??�
Jun 3, 2016
smartypnz These cars are mfg delivered as opposed to others which are dealer delivered. I suspect that if there is a stipulation that cars have to be delivered as tested (such as with these plate holders), it applies to mfg. After mfg delivers to dealer, said dealer is free to do what they want.�
Jun 3, 2016
norm ok, here is an idea. Get some plumbers epoxy from Home Depot, spray some cooking spray on the bolt and surrounding area.
Get a socket slightly larger than the bolt head, spray inside of socket then pack with the mixed epoxy ( it is a putty consistency )
Press filled socket over the bolt head to make good impression. Remove a let harden, this should be able to remove the bolt.
Plug should also come out of the socket.�
Jun 3, 2016
Bonlaw I am picking up my S on Tuesday. I asked DS to have service just loosen the screws because I am going straight to get front filmed.
Answer- No.�
Jun 3, 2016
mlforrest Here is a great youtube video on removing the plate:�
Jun 3, 2016
James Anders Good question.
Here's my guess.
Something happened during the crash testing of the new front end. Either someone screwed up from Tesla or from those in charge of the test. Either the license plate was put on and it shouldn't have been, or provisions weren't made to test with and without or something like this. And at the end of the day Tesla was caught in a situation that forced them bureaucratically to ship/deliver the cars with front license plates installed regardless of which state the car was sold into.�
Jun 3, 2016
James Anders No because the dealers are saying they can't do what they want. They aren't allowed to remove the plate bracket.�
Jun 4, 2016
K_style Stopped by at Tesla near my work and asked SA to remove the bottom 2 bolts only. Since they are not allowed to remove the whole thing, figure it's ok.
So SA removed the bolts under the frame and I am good to go.
I was told it is same bolt style as what's used for the batter pack.�
Jun 4, 2016
mlforrest I pick up my tesla on the 13th. I am bringing a pair of 10-Inch Long 90-Degree Bent Long Nose Pliers with me. Hoping I can loosen the bolts with these. Will let you know how it goes.
�
Jun 4, 2016
SDRick Yes, those 90� needle nose pliers is the tool I will try first. Has anyone confirmed whether the front license plate holder always comes from the factory installed or is it always part of the local prep?�
Jun 4, 2016
HankLloydRight There are no Tesla dealers... the service centers are all Tesla (the manufacturer)... therefore, they are not allowed to do whatever they want.
If it were a normal independent car dealer, then yes, they can do things the manufacturer can't do.�
Jun 4, 2016
Manny13z
Has anyone tried a female torx socket?�
Jun 4, 2016
James Anders The bolt has 5 points and looks more like a Torx Plus and not a regular Torx.�
Jun 4, 2016
James Anders Yeah, I know they're not "dealers".�
Jun 4, 2016
James Anders Good luck. I think it might be tough because there's only 5 points. If it were six then you would have recesses 180 degrees apart to grab across the center. With the 5 points the grab will be off-center. I guess it depends how tight it's bolted.
I had one idea...
Bring a bunch of conventional sockets (some said that 11/32" worked). Also bring some tinfoil. So, if the socket is loose on the bolt head push in some layers of tinfoil to help make up the gap and get a better grip.
As soon as I get the sample bolt, I will be making up that 3D model of a specific socket for this that can be 3D metal printed.�
Jun 4, 2016
Reekdog That should work, all you need to do is loosen the bolts after that, you can back them out by hand.�
Jun 4, 2016
Ohms.Law Just finished getting the screws out (sort of) on my new revised 90D. Good grief, what a pain. 11/32 didn't work (too big). 8mm was too small (just) and 9mm too big. Naturally. J. Anders tried your tin foil idea but couldn't make it work (foil not strong enough). Spent an hour with the 8mm socket and, degree by degree, finally got it out. The other side wouldn't grab at all so I just worried the bracket back and forth finally with success, without ripping anything.
Not a recommended solution! But the clean looking result was worth it.
BTW the crash test excuse is bogus. This is soft, pliable plastic folks. No way it would have any measurable impact on a two-ton vehicle impacting something.
This is my 2nd S and am loving it!�
Jun 4, 2016
SDRick Thank you for listing all the things that I do not need to try now. Do you think a pair of 90� needle nose would work as suggested by myself and others?�
Jun 4, 2016
Ohms.Law I wished I had had your pliers. Would at least have given me another option. So yes, they may work. Just be prepared for them to keep slipping off. Wear gloves because you are sure (?) to pinch your fingers.�
Jun 4, 2016
Manny13z I need to stop reading this thread, I'm about to take delivery and the more I read this the angrier I get. I might get to the delivery with a bad attitude.�
Jun 4, 2016
FlatSix911 Try this ... Gator Grip 3/8 in. Universal Socket with Power Drill Adapter-ETC120A - The Home Depot
�
Jun 4, 2016
Manny13z Hmm, I forgot about gator grip, that might work well.�
Jun 4, 2016
DoubleE Will not work.
I have tried along with a few others. It's too large to fit in the hole of the bracket.�
Jun 4, 2016
Manny13z That's it! I'm cutting it at the plastic!�
Jun 4, 2016
ZeroDarkSilver No, don't cut it! Here's the answer to your prayers...
Definitive S Refresh Front Plate Bracket Removal�
Jun 4, 2016
FlatSix911 ![[?IMG]](https://teslamotorsclub.com/tmc/attachments/img_0041-jpg.179453/)
�
Jun 4, 2016
Manny13z Thank you for talking me down, the little George Costanza in me just gets so upset!�
Jun 4, 2016
ZeroDarkSilver Once you get the bracket off you'll find it's just full of crackers...�
Jun 4, 2016
DoubleE Seriously; it sounds way harder than it actually it. Just bend the bracket until it pops off.
Took some back and forth but super easy.
No sockets needed whatsoever.�
Jun 4, 2016
ZeroDarkSilver Huh? There's two screws on the underside of the fascia that need to be removed before peeling the bracket from the adhesives.
Unless you straight up ripped the plastic from around the screws...�
Jun 4, 2016
DoubleE Pretty much.
But the bracket is so soft and bendy that it literally just pops off with some wiggling.�
Jun 4, 2016
ZeroDarkSilver LOL. Yeah I guess once you get the front face loose of the adhesive, that L shape gives you a lot of leverage to break the bottom.
I guess I wanted to keep my bracket intact in case I ever needed to put it back on.�
Jun 4, 2016
DoubleE Mine is still intact. Storing in my trunk in case I need it again in the future�
Jun 5, 2016
Tellotes It was the biggest pain in the ass. I just received my model S Friday and worked on the front license plate yesterday. I used small needle nose pliers to loosen them just enough to use my fingers the rest of the way. But this took like 30 min trying to get these screws from hell off.�
Jun 5, 2016
Reekdog Here is the definitive answer to your problem
Go here for the tool if you just can't wait!�
Jun 5, 2016
FlatSix911 Simplicity for the win!
�
Jun 8, 2016
Wuggado? I can confirm this tool works pretty well for getting the bolts out. The next challenge you will have is the glue holds the bracket to the bumper like my wife holds onto her credit cards. Good luck getting them separated.�
Jun 8, 2016
Manny13z Has anyone tried the method folks use to remove the decals?�
Jun 8, 2016
FlatSix911 Dental floss works well for removing the adhesive tape.�
Jun 8, 2016
Manny13z I will try this method on the license plate.�
Jun 25, 2016
James Anders Tesla License Plate Socket Adapter by SlippinJimmie on Shapeways
Just wanted to let owners of the refreshed Model S that have those pesky security screws attaching the front license plate that I created a 3D printed custom socket for removal. Just slip the socket onto the end of 1/4 inch Allen wrench (hex key).
There's two versions. A plastic one for $4 and a stainless steel one for $14. Some have reported that the screws are loosely torqued and perhaps the plastic one will work. I can't vouch for that. The stainless one should handle the screws that are more tightly torqued (as mine were).
�
Không có nhận xét nào:
Đăng nhận xét