Interior Door Handle Trim Piece

[Harry]

1966 230SL
The screw that holds my interior trim piece is M4-0.7 but it is so loose that it cannot be tightened.  (It actually wiggles a bit in the hole.)  I have tried an M5-0.8 but it is too large.  The threads in the hole appear to be OK, i.e. it doesn't look as though they are stripped.  So - what is the correct size?  Clearly the M4 is too small in my particular situation.  Is it an M5 and if so, what is the correct thread pitch?

Thanks as always,
Harry

[BobH]

Hello Harry, is it the door pull screws you're asking about?

Anything on here that helps?

https://www.sl113.org/forums/index.php?topic=34503.0

https://www.sl113.org/forums/index.php?topic=14710.msg100576

[mdsalemi]

You can probably keep trying various screws until you find one that’s the best fit. BUT if the M4 sort of holds, just loose, try the old Joe Alexander trick. Insert some stranded copper wire into the hole along with the screw. You have to play with it a bit to determine how much wire to add. You should be able to get enough bite—after all, it’s just trim. Once you feel comfortable enough that you can tighten it up a bit a drop of one of the Loctite products can help “seal the deal”…

[Harry]

Gosh - sorry.  My original question was not very clear at all.  I am talking about the trim piece that fits behind the door handle.  A bowl shaped piece with a rectangular extension.  The M4 really doesn't hold at all.  The screw will insert into the hole without turning, although you can feel it contacting the existing threads.

I've thought about loctite or even teflon tape since the only purpose of the screw is to hold the trim piece.  I may try Joe's suggestion with the copper wire.  I'll piddle with it until I'm happy.

Thanks everyone!
Harry

[Pawel66]

Quick check (EPC does not work and I could not find the thread it was discussed): https://www.sls-hh-shop.de/main/en/mercedes-230-280sl-w113-/72-door/72-a-door

[dirkbalter]

Drill them out and install M4 rivet nuts. I have had issues with these threads, being stripped, as well.