Drivers side scuff plate - screw will not tighten

I noticed the scuff plate sticking up a little so I thought I would tighten it up, but the screw just turns. I even tried pressing down and tightening but nothing. Below is the only pic I can find but it doesn't really show what it's screwing into.
Any help or ideas??

 

Yeah, mine are that way too. If you remove the scuff plate, you'll see those screws just screw into plastic and they get stripped out easily.

 

Appreciate the response.....that Sux! I'll have to look at it tonight. I'm wondering if maybe I can mix up some epoxy and put into the hole?? Once it sets up, try screwing it back.

 

+1

or +8 if you count the individual screws/plastic nuts that are FUBAR'd on my truck.

 

It may just be a matter of tightening up the area where the screw mounts.

My passenger side is fine, but the drivers side is held on by a wing and a prayer and a little bubble gum.

 

If the epoxy works I'll let you know. I've used it to repair an old gun stock where the sling swivel bolt would no longer hold. That stuff sets up hard as concrete.

 

I have the same issue on two of mine on the driver's side. I was thinking maybe wider screw or replace the scuff plate altogether if needed.

 

I don't think it's the scuff plate itself that's the issue. I thought that at first myself, but as stated above, it screws into plastic below the scuff plate. Not sure if that's replaceable or not.

 

Replace the plastic 'slugs'

 

I'd just cut a small length off a plastic tie wrap, insert into the hole, and re-install. I do it all the time with wood, using toothpicks and glue. Makes the hole smaller, and still plastic. Cheap to.

 

Hey Billy, do you have a part number or picture of those. Man I have looked all over the place.

 

I have a 1998 TRD and I don't know if the scuff plates are the same as on your model.

On mine, the front screw in my driver's side scuff plate will not tighten. The reason is the scuff plate has a piece that is molded into the underside of the plate. It is about 1/2 to 1/2 inch square and maybe an inch long. It fits down into the square hole. The piece is split by design. A screw goes into the top and down into this molded piece and spreads it apart, thus securing the plate to the body. Well, that piece on my scuff plate broke long ago. Fortunately, the other pieces are still intact so the scuff plate is loose only at the front.

I hadn't thought of using epoxy to fill the hole and drilling a hole into it to secure the screw. I'll have to try that sometime. Either that or some kind of nutwasher that will fit in there and that I can epoxy in place.

Hopefully you have a better design on yours.

BTW those scuff plates cost over $50 from the dealer about 10 years ago and are probably closer to $100 now.

 

purdy much the same deal ^

Sometimes the insert prongs can break off the scuff plate...
and the screw will just spin and offer no thread bite.

Possibly you can get an "stand alone" expanding prong type insert
then cut/grind off the prong (tab) attached to the the scuff plate.

Push the new insert in flush, into the threshold's hole
then screw thru the scuff plate into the new insert.

I believe those inserts have a square(ish) look to them
so they do not turn when the screw is tightened.

Purdy sure they can be found at most auto parts stores.
Tho the best assortment/sizes I found were at NAPA.

ie:

 

Good idea. Sounds like the plastic or nylon inserts that the license plate screws into.

 

No, sorry. I've had similar on other marquees, and I just make my own. I've actually used drywall slugs before, as well as other plastic gadgets. It's not exactly load bearing, so anything that will bite in the hole and grab the screw will do.

 

Oh boy...

 

What's a drywall "slug"? One of those things you hammer into the drywall and then run a screw through to hang a picture or something?

 

I used the wrong term. I should have said anchor. (I still call them slugs, but you can't find them googling that way )

 

I keep those nylon pieces with the rest of my Toyota parts

If it is not completely destroyed I have gone to bigger size stainless screw

 

Thanks, I thought that's what you meant but wasn't sure. I'll try that on my broken scuff plate.