lift strut attachment failure

[Shadow Catcher]

Both lower attachment point for the galley lid/hatch have failed. Come to find out that not all of the screws were used on either side. I have fixed the one on the left adding a couple of additional screws and using slightly larger ones. This is bear in mind screwing into some rather thin gauge aluminum. The problem is that on the right there is no way to get a drill in to drill additional holes because the upper cabinets are in the way. I am trying to figure out how to cure this problem in a way that is going to hold. I have been playing with the idea of some sort of insert that will grip adequately. Does anyone have any suggestions?

[aggie79]

Could you use a hole-saw or oscillating tool to cut an access hole to the mounting point?

For either side, you might try bonding either plywood or aluminum plates to the existing vertical surface. The added thickness would give you more "meat" to hold the screws for the mounting bracket while distributing the load of the hatch and strut to the thinner skin.

[Shadow Catcher]

More correctly I should have said inside/trailer side attachment points. These are all aluminum L brackets and they are meant to screw into both the sidewall supports of the trailer frame and the hatch frame this is one by one and a half aluminum. In looking at it this morning I realized that the screws that should've held the bracket on the left side had been screwed into only the interior paneling and never made it into the aluminum brace, there aren't even holes there I'm going to be checking and seeing how much room I have I might be able to get a right angle pneumatic impact wrench in position to drive a self tapping metal screw.

[danlott]

You could find someone that installs kitchen cabinets for a living. They usually have fairly small right angle drills that could work.

Dan