liscence plate for gas cap

[mike561]

This is really annoying me, how do i get the liscence plate to stay down when i open it to unscrew the gas cap???? my other caprice's would always stay down on its own and it still had the springs on it too.

[silicon212]

Your license plate mount is probably worn if it's not staying down.

[mike561]

where would i check this out? i could probably pick one up from a scrap yard that still stays down.

[GreyGoose006]

you wedge the gas cap into the space between the mounting bracket and the liscence plate on the passenger side of the car

[PeteA216]

Originally Posted by GreyGoose006

you wedge the gas cap into the space between the mounting bracket and the liscence plate on the passenger side of the car

Agreed... theres a space thats designed for the gas cap to go on the right of the license plate door. The cap acts as a wedge to keep the door open. In all 3 of the Caprices I've ever owned I've never seen one that stays down on it's own, nor do I see any mechanism designed to keep it down aside from the gas cap spot.

[mike561]

ohh i never noticed that, my 88 caprice's stayed down on its own, maybe a different mechanism tho

['97ventureowner]

Years ago I saw replacement license plate backing/gas door replacement for GM vehicles (aftermarket brand) in auto parts stores. It was a line of products called "HELP" . The packages were all red with the word HELP in big white lettering. Many stores carried this line of replacement products that included PCV grommets, radio knobs, bulb sockets, and many other common "wear items" on vehicles. I haven't seen these products around in my area stores in the past few years, but that doesn't mean they aren't made anymore and might be available in other areas of the country. Maybe another company makes these and they might be available at your local auto parts stores. On my '70s and '80s GM vehicles that I've owned in the past , I'd have to say that roughly half of the doors stayed down by themselves and the other half needed assistance. I figured the ones that needed help were old and the spring that helped them stay in the down position were worn out.

[mike561]

yeah i know which "HELP" products your talking about, ill see if any of the auto parts stores around here have it, if not ill just pull one off a car that it stays down on its own from the self serve junk yard.