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Loose Mounting Screw (not set screw) on Whirlpool French Door Frig

I have a Whirlpool French Door Refrigerator (Model WRF535SMBM) and ever since I got it 3 years ago, the bottom freezer door handle is wobbly. And yes, I've tried tighten the set screw on it and that's not the issue. The issue instead is that the mounting screw that the handle attaches to is loose (photo of the mounting screw below).

https://www.genuinereplacementparts.com/...

I've taken the mounting screw off and can see that the cavity is stripped, which causes the mounting screw to just keep spinning when I try and tighten it. As of now, there is a little bit of grab but not super tight.

Can anyone share advice on what I could do to reinforce the mounting screw? I've seen online of adding toothpicks, wall anchors, or even bondo to fill the hole. But wanted to measure twice before acting.

Thank you all in advance!

UPDATE: A fellow Redditor recommended a metal mesh screw hole repair kit. I found it at my local Home Depot for $2. Followed the instructions and cut small strips to fill the hole. And upon tightening the screw, it's a MUCH better grip. It still keeps turning at the end but the grip is good enough and I consider the matter resolved. Thank you all for your time & help. All the best, Michael

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@anthemthecat post some good picture of what you are looking at etc., Going by the thread of that screw there has to be something behind it. It is not a machine screw thread that would go into anything easy (hence the addition to anything in that mounting hole will not work). Add pictures of that handle where the screw sits Adding images to an existing question

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One thing I have seen used many times with success is take some small diameter strands of copper wire, bend them 90° and put them in the hole. Then screw the bolt in and it will crush and deform them to provide grip. Trim off any excess and you should be good to go. Copper is soft so it deform easily to help secure the bolt, but is stronger than, say. Toothpicks or bondo

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Thank you for your response. I found some copper wire and tried the trick. However, it didn't work because it seems the hole can't be completely plugged. Not sure why, but it seems to allow an (infinite) amount of copper wire in the hole.

Obviously I am joking by infinite, but the cavity is ever expanding. Any idea why? Shouldn't there be studs behind the freezer door?

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What do you mean? Can you add a pic so I can see what you're talking about? If it is using something like a rivnut then yes it will basically let you push as much copper as you want because it is open to the interior and the bolt screws in and passes through whatever length isn't needed.

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for an application like this if you can get the strands in the hole 1/2" that should be sufficient to hold the bolt. And it won't take alot of them

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Hi Brandon, I shined a flash light into the hole and I see no backing. I tried finding an end with a tooth pick and I could have easily pushed the entire toothpick through the door.

For the heck of it, I added more copper wire to "try" and fill the hole and it kinda helped. Ultimately though, someone else recommended some metal mesh screw hole repair kit where I would cut strips of metal and line it up the threads of the hole. And while the screw can still turn at the end, it's a much tighter grip.

With the combination of your copper wire and metal strips, it's good enough for the time being. We plan on moving in the next couple years so it'll probably end up being the next owner's problem. :)

Thanks again for your time & help.

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@anthemthecat thats common, not having an end. Its a pass-through nut. Dont know what the mesh thing is, but if it works, go for it. Sounds like it is using the same basic function of the copper wire. If it becomes an issue again, double check the handle to make sure there's enough room, tap the threads to one size larger, and use a bolt that is one size larger in diameter. Then you won't have to worry about it anymore. But like i said double check the handle where the head goes and make sure there's room for the head of the larger bolt. It won't be much larger, but I don't know what kind of clearance they give.

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