Damaged thread on lug of metal back box

[Electron]

Can anyone suggest a way to fix a damaged screw lug on double socket back box?

 

[buzzlightyear]

its a back box rethender one of these screw fix. never leave home with out one!

 

[static zap]

Metal box ?
3.5 tap ..or how wrong am I ?

 

[stevethesparks]

Re-tap it out or if too damaged and you have the depth, install a brass extension through the lug with nut on the back.
If you don't have the depth, glue a 3.5mm nut on the reverse side.
Failing that, if the lug has dropped off, drill the back of the box and tap it out using either an extension or longer screw.

 

[snowhead]

Squash the lug slightly with grips.
Then re-thread as above.

Or drill through into the back of the box and tap 3.5 , use long screws, (if the wall at the rear is soft.)

Or buy the repair clips.
Fix a broken screw thread in your metal back box. Raise, tilt or lower a socket faceplate - https://backboxsaver.com/

 

[PEG]

Give a spark a ring,so he can safely isolate,trim back decoration,hack out back-box,install new one with grommets,etc,re-plaster,return,match decor as good as can be expected,re-fit and test.

.....Because sparks have kids who expect Christmas presents,that a single 3.5mm re-thread won't buy... ho ho

 

[dmxtothemax]

How badly damaged is the thread ?
You can drill the hole out a bit
then glue a new nut on the rear with a liquid metal adhesive.
Use a bolt to hold it in place whilst the adhesive dries.

 

[KEV 1 N]

If the hole is too big, I’ve often re threaded the hole to 4mm, then put a M4 screw in the chuck of a battery drill and grind the head down to the right size on a file

 

[SparkySy]

I was going to suggest that too tap it out to m4 and use a brass screw filed down in a drill. Got me out of a fix a good few times. Only problem nowadays with this is people want low profile or chrome sockets!

 

[123]

It's possible to get chrome/silver M4's they don't need to be brass

 

[SparkySy]

Ah yes I hadn't thought of that good one, I have a load of them in the back of my van somewhere that I got given. Not that I do much house bashing if I can help it, never been into it!

 

[electric al]

Is it the fixed lug or or the non fixed ? If it's the non fixed open it up with a screwdriver and replace it with another from a spare back box and close it back up again ensuring you apply some pressure. Otherwise as above methods .

 

[Madocks]

Squash with plyers and retap

 

[brianmoooore]

If all the above fails, and the box is sunk into solid masonry, drill through the back of the box and into the masonry, push in yellow or red plastic wall plug, and fit plate with very long No 6 wood screw.