Holes in my bumper!!! (front license plate) Now what?

[sunnygator]

I've looked at front plate threads, I know this is an issue but I'm looking for some advice in my particular situation.

My dealer installed my front plate bracket (required in MD) by drilling two screws through the center mounts into my bumper, instead of attaching it to the grill.
I didn't even realize before picking up my Sol that MD required front plates! Yes they are on my other two cars, but I didn't even notice them.


Did I like it?

Of course not, but I did not realize before coming to this forum that there was any other "approved" method.

So for my questions:

1) Is there a formal GM instruction or TSB on the front bracket installation, and can I get a copy of it? (Sorry if this was answered in other threads, I've looked for it but didn't find it referenced directly)

2) Assuming the answer to (1) is yes, and that it DOESN'T involve new holes in the bumper, and I can demonstrate that to the dealer, what is reasonable for me to expect? Of course I'd love a new bumper, but is that reasonable in a state where plates are required? I heard that MD enforcement of front plates is a bit stricter than some states, but I'd like to be able to take if off sometimes......

3) Is there any other reasonable solution? What would you do?

I know its easy to say "I'd be IRATE"

That's how I feel, but I don't think that will get me very far..........


Thanks in advance

[AztekzRpurty]

There are instructions on the plastic package the bracket comes in. You could go back and get one from the parts department, or out of another Solstice and show them. Tell them you want a new bumber because you are moving to a state without front plates and they PLAINLY weren't supposed to use the screws to mount it!

Why oh why did pontiac put those two holes in the center!!

[Chet-O]

If you get no satisfaction, you could affix badges of your choice, or paint a couple of trim buttons to match your paint. Some dealers are so dumb, they haven't a clue.

[IBDRINKEN]

I cut mine off with a sawzall and now have 2 holes in the bumper

[cincat12]

Front license brackets has changed from 06 to 07, and 07 are installed by drilled 2 large holes in the front of the car.

I had in writing no front plate, but got the holes anyway.

I requested (ahem, dealer may have different interpretation), and they filled and painted the bumper.

It looks good, I am glad I made them fix it.

and yes, I live in a front bracket state...OHIO!!

Originally Posted by AztekzRpurty There are instructions on the plastic package the bracket comes in. You could go back and get one from the parts department, or out of another Solstice and show them. Tell them you want a new bumber because you are moving to a state without front plates and they PLAINLY weren't supposed to use the screws to mount it! Why oh why did pontiac put those two holes in the center!!

[yellowSOLofTX]

I picked up my GXP on the 26th of May and I told the dealer I didn't want the holes drilled in the front. He said that they did not do that any more. When I got it he was right and the don't even use the adhesive strip like they did on the N/A.

It just pops in the grill holes and the center part is about 1/2" from the paint. It comes off just about as easy with a screw driver. I guess they are listening at the factory.

[AztekzRpurty]

Originally Posted by cincat12 Front license brackets has changed from 06 to 07, and 07 are installed by drilled 2 large holes in the front of the car. I had in writing no front plate, but got the holes anyway. I requested (ahem, dealer may have different interpretation), and they filled and painted the bumper. It looks good, I am glad I made them fix it. and yes, I live in a front bracket state...OHIO!!

I would love to confirm that the bracket actually changed. My 06 has the two holes, but the instructions show the 4 screws being used to attach the plate to the bracket, not the bracket to the car. What did they change in 07? The instructions? Or did the dealer maybe just tell you that to make himself look better? I really hope GM didn't screw the pooch on this one.

Can we get a dealer to help us out here? Or does anyone still have their 07 bracket in the bag?

[Lithium Lotus]

I still have my bracket in the bag for my 07. It shows that you insert the bracket into the grill, and then drill a hole between the two grills for one mounting screw. Luckly my dealer didn't mount my bracket and just kept it in the trunk.

[AztekzRpurty]

Originally Posted by Lithium Lotus I still have my bracket in the bag for my 07. It shows that you insert the bracket into the grill, and then drill a hole between the two grills for one mounting screw. Luckly my dealer didn't mount my bracket and just kept it in the trunk.

Do you think you could scan that bag for me? maybe put a piece of white paper behind it to make it show up? I'd so like to get a gander at it.

Thanks for the reply, by the way. I appreciate you going to the trouble to drag it out of your car.

And if anybody still has their 06 bracket in the bag, that would be great scanned for a comparison.

[Small Dealer]

There is no Service Manual instructions for attaching the Front License Plate Bracket. No TSBs either. Even the New Vehicle Prep Guide issued as a TSB when car came out is silent on how to actually attach the bracket, just that it is loose shipped, which is the first step on the prep instructions, "Install Loose Shipped Parts".

The parts catalog does show the bracket as being attached in two locations. This is in the illustration for both the 2006-2008 Base Solstice and the 2007-2008 Solstice GXP.

There is no part number show for GXP bracket use. Two part numbers are show for base use. One appears to be for early 2006 production.

A bracket in the parts department or ordered through the parts department would most likely not come with installation instructions. The assembly plants, in general, use a package of bracket-attachments-plate screws-instructions only available to them.

[AztekzRpurty]

Originally Posted by Small Dealer There is no Service Manual instructions for attaching the Front License Plate Bracket. No TSBs either. Even the New Vehicle Prep Guide issued as a TSB when car came out is silent on how to actually attach the bracket, just that it is loose shipped, which is the first step on the prep instructions, "Install Loose Shipped Parts". The parts catalog does show the bracket as being attached in two locations. This is in the illustration for both the 2006-2008 Base Solstice and the 2007-2008 Solstice GXP. There is no part number show for GXP bracket use. Two part numbers are show for base use. One appears to be for early 2006 production. A bracket in the parts department or ordered through the parts department would most likely not come with installation instructions. The assembly plants, in general, use a package of bracket-attachments-plate screws-instructions only available to them.

Is the illustration you are looking at the same one printed on the plastic bag? I swear I remember looking at it when I put mine on and it didn't show the screws into the bumper.

Of course, my memory sucks...

[Aspenrose]

Originally Posted by AztekzRpurty Do you think you could scan that bag for me? maybe put a piece of white paper behind it to make it show up? I'd so like to get a gander at it. Thanks for the reply, by the way. I appreciate you going to the trouble to drag it out of your car. And if anybody still has their 06 bracket in the bag, that would be great scanned for a comparison.

I'll check, mine's in the garage, don't remember if I took it out of it's bag or not, been too many months

[sunnygator]

Originally Posted by AztekzRpurty Is the illustration you are looking at the same one printed on the plastic bag? I swear I remember looking at it when I put mine on and it didn't show the screws into the bumper.

Well I went to my neighborhood dealer today (not where I purchased the Sol) to order mud flaps.....and I was going order another front plate mount too. Figured that way I'd get the instructions and one to eventually mod like I've seen in other threads. Then I could go back to the selling dealer, instructions in hand, and see where that would get me.

A good plan? Maybe, but the the GM parts computer only lists front plate mounts for the non GXP Sols! I think the exact wording was 06-07 "except turbo" The parts guy even showed me the screen, so there was nothing to even order.....

So If a GXP owner could can their instruction bag, I'd be very grateful!

I'm calling the dealer next week....I'll let you know where it gets me!

[AztekzRpurty]

Heck , now I'm debating with myself whether it actually is printed on the bag, or included on a sheet of paper in the bag. Getting old sucks..

[sunnygator]

Originally Posted by AztekzRpurty Getting old sucks..

However, at least now I can afford this Sol GXP!!!!