Door screws stripped, any suggestion on how to fix it.

[damonbeals]

Looks like the previous owners of our 99 31' Excella had trouble with the door and not only stripped the heads of the screws but stripped the nut in the frame as well. Does anyone have any suggestions how to fix this? The door is semi secure but you can turn the screws and they get tight but then the hinge has alot of play in it. The little pins that go in the hinge and frame are also broken off, I assume they should be replaced with something.

Looking for any suggestions!
Damon

[vswingfield]

Try monofilament fishing line inserted into the “nuts” and then starting the screws. It comes in different thicknesses (weights) up to weedeater line. It also serves as a self-locking nut. Not as satisfactory solution as replacement, but quick, cheap, and easy. Multiple lines can be inserted too.

Could at least hold off a difficult repair.

[overlander63]

If and when you need to replace the hinges, you can use a Dremel tool with a cutoff wheel to cut a new slot in the screw so you can use a flathead screwdriver on it one last time. This will likely damage the hinge, so plan on replacing it at that time. The screws in the body are probably just sitting in there, so be aware that when you do unscrew the screws, you should have a pair of needlenose vice grips, or something comparable, to hold the nuts, or they will fall into the body, and be gone forever.

[Don.44]

I have a tool that you drill a hole a little oversize in the exisiting hole ,then you insert a "nutsert" which is threaded on the end of a tool similar to a pop rivit tool . After squeezing it tight it leaves a threaded nut in the original opening .
Don

[Mike Leary]

Try all the above suggestions; it's a huge pain to get at that area. I know.