choness2004

As above, the screws that hold on the number plate blubs are knackered, rusted, the lot!

Is there a way to change the bulbs without having to butcher the original screws? Or is it a case of having to drill them out?

SwissTony

iTrader: (19)

There is no way unfortunately. If you have an early classic the bulb holders are part of the bumper and so you need to remove the bumper to gain access.

If you have a later classic they are attached to the bumper bar and gain it is bumper off job then drilling them out. I did something similar a while back and as they were so rusted I made up new brackets and used bolts instead of screws.

SwissTony

iTrader: (19)

A bit like this

Before



making up the brackets



Measuring up



Fitted

choness2004

Well joy, seems like a massive pain of a job just to change bulbs! Cheers dude

alcazar

iTrader: (2)

It wouldn't be if they had spent 1p more and used stainless screws!

BLU

iTrader: (27)

Which they do on the Newage cars!

OP - I ditched my original (rusty) Subaru numberplate lamps altogether and bought an LED 'universal fit' one and made a bracket to mount it!!

choness2004

Cheers ill give that a go

lordharding

iTrader: (1)

I had the same problem on my my00 classic
If your gentle you can bend the plastic holder ever so slightly so the casting flexes and the glass bit drops out or lever it ever so gentle with a screwdriver

I messed about for an hour with it to swap a bulb
No wonder the garage give me a certificate for mot and told me to do it myself

choness2004

Not quite sure i understand how you mean mate, but ill see what i can do. Does anyone know what size the screws are that are in there already? If i can get them out then i want some replacements to go in its place.

SwissTony

iTrader: (19)

difficult to tell what size they are, small if I recall !
TBH if you can get them out then anything will do but obviously if you drill then bang goes the thread . So it is either tap and die or do what I did.

Bloody pain in the **** for what seems to be such an insignificant part.

choness2004

Yeah sure, I've got a few random screws so ill see what's best. I may even go for a nut and bolt combo on them, but we will see this afternoon.

SwissTony

iTrader: (19)

There is a downside to the nut and bolt combination.

Screws (obviously self tapping) are easier to remove as you are simply unscrewing from underneath.

Bolts and nuts means you have to have access to both sides of the bumper (bar) and believe me when you are underneath the car and trying to fiddle with spanners etc when they are that small, the amount of expletives can be immense

choness2004

This is very true! Well I've managed to change the bulbs, and I've butchered the holders in the process! Looks awful but they work.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Subaru-Imp...item51b9d3cbb6

Can anyone tell me if the above parts work and will fit? Or any other replacements that are a good idea?

Check my build thread to see just how butchered they are!

SwissTony

iTrader: (19)

they will fit, nice find

BLU

iTrader: (27)

Good old ICP come up with the goods again!!

alcazar

iTrader: (2)

If you buy those, I'd do two things before fitting:

Have the brackets professionally dipped, or Hammerite them, and,

Remove the screws holding the covers in place, search ebay and replace with stainless.

choness2004

Ordered! I'll let you know if they are any good.

Alcazar: cheers for the tip, sounds like a smart idea.

alcazar

iTrader: (2)

It might take some searching, but you can get small packets of even obscure sized stainless screws.

I actually got a set of my headlight adjustment motors, long, thin self tapping screws.