Help! My Door is Falling Off

[C5c5]

In order to remove the livingroom sofa/bed from the RV, I had to completely take the side door off.

Here is a photo of the screws that held the door on. I am amazed that such short screws held the door in good to the frame.

There were a total of 6 hinges going the length of the door with each hinge having 3 of these screws.
Attachment 285635Attachment 285636

I reinstalled the screws into the hinges and they do not screw nicely in the holes onto the frame. Every single one of them spins in place loosely.

I tried replacing all the screws but unfortunately with the same results.

I went back to the hardware store and bought the same size screws (#8) but longer. I also purchased the next size up (#10) that are the same length. I have not tried installing either of these new screws yet. Am I doomed because of a different issue than getting the right screws? Do I need a special type of screw? Should I suspect the frame?

Because of the loose screws, my door hangs off-kilter & will not shut.

Help!

[nvs4602]

Are those going into wood or metal?

[C5c5]

Originally Posted by nvs4602

Are those going into wood or metal?

I actually do not know. The frame is metal but I do not know what is inside of it.

Because the end of some of the screws look to have rust, can we possibly assume metal?

[johnhicks]

Try a couple of pop rivets.

[Knittler]

Use the original length but #10

[Glennabbott1]

Stick a toothpick in the screw hole and break it off flush. Insert screw and tighten by hand. Try not to over torque.

[rodekyll]

18 short little screws combine to hold a lot of weight.

Probe the holes to see how deep they are. Then if possible, I'd try the same #8 sheet metal screw, one step longer to start. The combination of fresh thread and being well onto the shank instead of possibly the point could work.

Otherwise, a #10 but one size longer would be my choice, assuming a #10 goes through the hinge and the head doesn't interfere with the door closing.

Depending on how hogged out the holes are, try to stay with #8 when possible. That gives you somewhere to move next time this happens.

[buzz57]

I wish I had good news, but I don't. There is/was a backing plate inside the frame. They have now slid out of place (on the bottom)of the frame. When I did this last year, it was an oops moment
I was adamant I was not going to open the wall to fix/find and remount the plates. I ended up using 1/4 inch rivets to mount everything again. It is as strong as it was I think. Haven't had any issues with it.

[C5c5]

Originally Posted by buzz57

I wish I had good news, but I don't. There is/was a backing plate inside the frame. They have now slid out of place (on the bottom)of the frame. When I did this last year, it was an oops moment

I was adamant I was not going to open the wall to fix/find and remount the plates. I ended up using 1/4 inch rivets to mount everything again. It is as strong as it was I think. Haven't had any issues with it.

Thanks for the info. That makes sense.
Guess I'll be opening up the wall there sooner than planned!

[jfoldesi]

Or a match stick. My dad taught me that in the 40s. Did it a couple months ago on mirror still holding good.

Originally Posted by Glennabbott1

Stick a toothpick in the screw hole and break it off flush. Insert screw and tighten by hand. Try not to over torque.

[buzz57]

Look carefully, think about it! It isn't an easy job. Wait, maybe someone has a better idea. I speak for the fleetwood way of assembling things.

[rodekyll]

Maybe cut an access hole in the door frame and "fish" the backing plate up into position. If it fell freely, you might be able to "walk" it back up. How far could it have fallen?

[NXR]

Originally Posted by buzz57

I wish I had good news, but I don't. There is/was a backing plate inside the frame. They have now slid out of place (on the bottom)of the frame. When I did this last year, it was an oops moment
I was adamant I was not going to open the wall to fix/find and remount the plates. I ended up using 1/4 inch rivets to mount everything again. It is as strong as it was I think. Haven't had any issues with it.

Were your screws self-tapping like the OP's are? I wouldn't think there would be a backing plate that used self-tapping screws.

But yeah, if I remove a non-self-tapper I hope I remember your info.

Thanks for sharing that,

Ray

[C5c5]

Originally Posted by rodekyll

Maybe cut an access hole in the door frame and "fish" the backing plate up into position. If it fell freely, you might be able to "walk" it back up. How far could it have fallen?

I believe the backing plates did fall down. It makes sense now because when I removed the screws I recall hearing what sounded like hardware dropping to the ground. I checked the ground and found nothing so I wrote it off that I was hearing things. I guess I wasn't!