Replace Light Switch Recepticles?

[CarlosinFL]

I have a home built in 1987 with standard 2" wide vertical stud beams. Some of my light switches were damaged by renters in the sense that they replace the plates and used larger non-standard screws which have in turn gaped the threaded holes on the top and bottom of the electrical gang boxes. I purchased new ones from Home Depot (blue low voltage electrical boxes) & realized soon after my old existing ones are nailed to my studs. Is there an easy way to replace this w/o ripping up my walls or being a fancy electrician?

[HayZee518]

the new work metal boxes have a steel bracket which is nailed or screwed to the stud face. with a sawz-all metal cutting blade you can saw the box off the bracket, then use a plastic old work wall case about two inches away from the stud. as you draw up two screws on the wall case a set of ears spring out and hold the box in the sheetrock.