Why won't my offset plate bracket fit???

[Mr nanotech]

It's the right size, right shape, exactly the same as the ones I've seen around the forum. When I try to bolt it up, I can't even get the bolt through the baby tooth because it won't pass the bumper to get in.
Even when if I got it on, is why does my plate angle towards the road rather than straight like it should???? I thought one of the baby teeth on my car was possible bent down or something but the other is on the exact same angle!!!!!
This is giving me a f**king headache now and I'm about to snap. Someone PLEASE give me a hand!!!

[slug_dub]

There's not as much space in the bumper hole there for bolts as you'd think sometimes

Might be a bit easier to attach the plate holder to the baby tooth with the baby tooth removed then fit the tooth after. A smaller bolt I guess might be needed for the plate attachment if it really is too big to fit in there.

I figure if its at all possible you may just need to bend the plate holder slightly so it points straight... what model of plate holder is it? I notice lots of the ones you can buy angle down a bit as in the U.S and Japan it seems they are less concerned with rigid enforcement of the angle of your plate to the front of the car...

[Mr nanotech]

There's not as much space in the bumper hole there for bolts as you'd think sometimes

Might be a bit easier to attach the plate holder to the baby tooth with the baby tooth removed then fit the tooth after. A smaller bolt I guess might be needed for the plate attachment if it really is too big to fit in there.

I figure if its at all possible you may just need to bend the plate holder slightly so it points straight... what model of plate holder is it? I notice lots of the ones you can buy angle down a bit as in the U.S and Japan it seems they are less concerned with rigid enforcement of the angle of your plate to the front of the car...

I got mine from AutolinkUK. I haven't tried bending it yet but I'm going to have to pull out the baby tooth now. I found some bits and pieces in the garage and tried using a bolt that was clearly too short (just to see if it would fit). Sure enough it wouldn't fit, not even close.

So next question, how do I remove the baby tooth?

[slug_dub]

There's possibly up to 4 bolts holding the tooth in, they can be a bit tricky to get a wrench into so if you have short handled one it should be a bit easier. I found that there's a bolt or two that will be easier to get at going through the front bumper hole, and a couple that are easier to get through if you go in up from under the front of the bumper.

[Mr nanotech]

No can do... Not possible for me on the front, spanner won't even fit there. I can get two of the three bolts loose from underneath but nomatter how hard I try, the third just won't come out.
I've been going at it again and again and now my hands are full of blood and cut up... I can't do this

[Mr nanotech]

Thanks for the help! I managed to get it on and it's sitting great. I mean, it's angled still and looks a little DIY but even so, IT IS ON!

[wilch]

Wow, good work with keeping at it even after being all cut up.

You're lucky you had a baby tooth to attach to. I had to fabricate my own, the tow hooks had been removed from my car.

[Mr nanotech]

Well I got it on, only problem is the angle but I can't seem to bend it. I've tried hitting it with a hammer but it just puts light grazes in the bracket and it stays the same shape. Probably have just as much luck bending the baby teeth lol

[slug_dub]

Ah well at least you got it on . I looked at the item at Autolink and it does look like a pretty thick piece of metal so I'm not surprised you could not bend it.

[Mr nanotech]

My only qualm with it is that the holes are a little low down so you see the bracket sitting up behind the plate. When I have the chance to get to my brothers place, I'll pick up the drill and put some higher holes in it and possibly get some less obvious screws!

[marcusus]

If you want it to sit straight, just bend the bracket. Mine angled upwards on the right, ie it was square when looking at it from the front, except the right hand side pointed up so it tilted up on the right. I just stood on the bracket a little bit until it sat the way I wanted it to. Just make sure that the bolt is tight again after you've bent it.

[Mr nanotech]

Cheers for the comment, but sadly I tried that already and even resorted to frustrated bashes with a hammer. The metal is too hard to bend...

I'll be heading to my brothers place in the next week though, he owns a vice so it should be a lot easier trying it there.