How to secure a loose metal electrical box on metal studs?
Metal electrical boxes mounted on metal studs that are set back deep behind drywall cannot be secured using standard remodel kits or basic screw tightening. This leaves both the box and the outlet wobbling loose, preventing a firm and safe installation.
What people tried
Every workaround mentioned in the threads below. We haven’t tested any of them — and nobody here is claiming they worked.
- 1Tighten the device screws
- 2Put a nylon cover on it
- 3Use a spacer between the box and outlet
- 4Attaching the mounting bracket directly to the ceiling material with large screws
- 5Replacing the box with a compatible remodel kit
In their words
Unedited, grouped by where they were said, most upvoted first within each place, each linked to the thread it came from.
“Loose outlet. Box is loose as well. Metal box and metal studs. Need help with a fix to secure this box or replace.”source ↗
“Box is set back a good bit from drywall. Electrician that installed has spacer between the box and outlet and was tightened all the way down.”source ↗
“You're missing the electrical box.”source ↗
“It has one that wasn’t fan rated so I took it down. I bought the remodel kit to replace it but that isn’t applicable here.”source ↗
Where this came up
People with this problem also raised
- 2How to cover an old outdoor electrical box and hide exposed wire
- 2How to hide a surface-mounted electrical panel
- 4Should an outdoor heat pump be bolted down?
- 2How to fix a car part dragging behind the gas tank
- 2How to secure a horizontal evaporator coil to a furnace
- 3New kitchen cabinets covered an electrical outlet