Is this normal with dry-lining back boxes or is mine broken?

[jack6581]

What I thought would take me five minutes has turned into a nightmare


I'm trying to put a socket faceplate back on, but every time I try to get the screw to catch, the movable threaded lug/wing just pushes backwards.


I've spent over half an hour trying to get the bloody thing to catch now!


Is this something other people come across, or is there something wrong with mine? Any tricks for getting it to catch?

 

[nero44]

All the time! I prefer metal backboxes as the lugs are fixed and it leaves a more flush finish. Of course on a drywall that would be difficult to fit.

Take the socket out, and put the screws in on both side to see if the thread is still working. If not you should get a new dry-lining box.

It's super fiddly but happens all the time especially if the box is very full. So may sure you (pre-)bend all the wires carefully so they are less likely to cause resistance when pushing the socket back in.

On one occasion I took a string to run around the back of a lug to pull it forward while fixing the screw. Bit overkill but can work....

 

[jack6581]

Hi, yes it is super fiddly I appreciate that advice though, one light switch worked fine but the other wouldn't. Thanks again