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u/Frequent_Coach1398

r/Home_improvement r/AskElectricians
4” LED retrofits won’t stay flush
▲ 1 r/AskElectricians

4” LED retrofits won’t stay flush

Replacing about 100 recessed lights with 4” LED retrofits. I’ve tried Juno, Halo and Feit, and none consistently stay tight against the ceiling.

The new-construction cans aren’t sitting too low. The problem seems to be that the can housing itself flexes upward when I push the LED flush. When I let go, the housing springs back down and the trim comes with it, leaving the gap shown in the photo.
More spring tension doesn’t seem to help—it just flexes the can more.

Anyone run into this? Is there a trick to getting these tight to the ceiling without modifying 100 cans?

u/Frequent_Coach1398 — 1 day ago
▲ 2 r/Home_improvement+1 crossposts

4” LED retrofits won’t sit flush — new construction cans flexing

Has anyone run into this with 4” recessed cans?
I’m replacing a bunch of older bulbs/trims with 4” LED retrofit modules. I’ve tried several different brands/styles (Juno, Halo, Feit, etc.) and I’m having trouble getting any of them to stay completely flush against the ceiling.

The cans are new-construction housings and they are not sitting below/proud of the drywall.
What seems to be happening is that when I push the retrofit tight against the ceiling, the actual metal can housing flexes upward with it. As soon as I let go, the housing flexes back down and brings the LED trim with it, leaving a small gap.

I can physically push the LED perfectly flush, so clearance doesn’t seem to be the issue. It just won’t stay there because the housing itself has some vertical movement/flex.

I’ve tried adjusting/spreading the springs for more tension, but stronger spring pressure seems like it may just flex the housing more rather than pull the trim tighter.

Is this normal with new-construction cans? Has anyone found a good solution for getting retrofit LEDs to stay tight to the drywall when the housing itself has some flex?

I have roughly 100 cans in the house, so I’m hoping there’s a better answer than modifying/replacing every housing.

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u/Frequent_Coach1398 — 1 day ago