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Apparently stripped holes in dryer door hinges

Home Improvement Asked on March 27, 2021

I removed the door of an OLD Maytag dryer(DG408) to repair the latching mechanism. I followed Youtube repair video (that was linked to the repair part on order site) step by step, worked like a charm.

However, when I went to go reinstall door, ALL FOUR of the hinge screws just spin in the holes. I can take screws with my hand and push in and out – nothing grabs whatsoever. They were the only screws removed so I know I didn’t mix them up.

Initially removed screws easily with a manual screwdriver, supporting door to be sure I didn’t bend anything. Holes and screws are tiny, can detect nothing behind them or see any threads, though holes are so tiny I’m not sure. (Photos below)

I am wondering if the previously posted solution, by "Fred" I think, to a similar question asked by "Tiffany in 2019 would work? Here’s what it said:

take the good screws to a local hardware store and ask for a matching
tap to clean or re-tap the threads in the door. The hardware store
person should find a nut to fit the screw, identifying the thread as
metric or SAE and then match the tap tool accordingly.

For a one-off task such as this, you can get away without a tap
handle. Use an adjustable wrench set to match the flats on the tap,
place the tap in the hole and attempt to start the cutting threads to
match the probably-damaged threads in the dryer wall. Because the
threads were there previously, you won’t have to use the forward
half-turn, backwards quarter-turn practice used for tapping a drilled
hole. A bit of lubricant would be useful, a light oil or even motor
oil.

Any help GREATLY appreciated.

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One Answer

The hinge screws do not engage threads in the sheet metal of the front panel, they are bolts designed to be held in place by nuts, which fell down inside your dryer when you removed the door.

Well, not nuts exactly. The retaining parts are actually small metal plates, one per hinge, with two threaded holes each, that align with the holes in the front panel.

You will have to remove the front panel to install the door. Fortunately this is very easy: remove the two screws near the bottom of the panel, pull the bottom of the panel out, and slide the panel down to disengage it at the top. Disconnect the door switch wires and remove them from the front panel.

Find the retaining plates that have fallen down inside the dryer. It should be obvious how to use these to attach the door to the front panel. A dab of construction adhesive or contact cement might help hold the plates in place during assembly.

Don't forget to re-connect the door switch wires. Close the door before installing the front panel; this job does not require any comic relief.

Correct answer by A. I. Breveleri on March 27, 2021

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