4KUCC151T1 KitchenAid Trash Compactor - Instructions

Removed drawer
Pulled out from cabinet
Unplugged power cord
Removed top cover
Removed front panel
Put front on 2x4 block
Unscrewed leveling legs
Used 9/16" socket to remove old rollers
Installed new rollers
installed front panel
installed top panel
Plugged in electric cord
slid back into cabinet
inserted drawer
tested
Works as good as new

Only needed a flat blade screwdriver and a socket set to remove the top and the "cages" that held the power nuts. Failed to properly restrain the ram but didn't effect the repair. Installed the new power nuts outside of the unit then placed the ram assembly on the worm screws and all was well. Applied grease to the worm screws after assembly.

layed it in the kictuchen floor took of bottom and changed the gears that's all there was to it piece of cake

Clipped new piece into place

Problem is, the filter holder is jammed on its holder and will not come off.Short of using a blowtorch, this is a permanent FAIL!

Reassembled lower access covers using the new screws purchased from parts direct, perfect fit replacement. Hardest part remembering how they fit Dishwasher.

With nothing in the KitchenAid Instructions nor anything on the internet… I had to go it alone.
Actually quite simple… I laid the unit over on its front and removed the 5 screws holding on the bottom plate. This exposed the motor and drive train which turns the two compacting screws on each side. The main drive gear was broken.
Taking a wrench to the main drive… I was able to free up the jam… a piece of glass from a broken bottle.

I went to the internet and did a search on KitchenAid Trash Compactor Parts and discovered PartSelect.com… They had me enter the Model Number of my unit and a parts diagram and list came up… I found the gear I needed… ordered it and in two days it was here. Instructions came with the gear on replacement and in no time I was back in business.

I was impressed with the simplicity of KitchenAid’s Compactor, and the ease in which I was able to get my part from PartSelect.com!

Removed unit from under counter. Moved to garage. removed Top, Bottom plates, and switch controller. Turned upside down and removed power screw nuts One came off easy. One side frozen. Took large pliers and worked nut off of drive screw. Removed ram. Ordered two new power screw nuts. Lubed screws, chain, nuts, rollers and cleaned whole unit. Straightened ram which was bent from so many years of use. Unit 26 years old. Replaced all plates and plugged it in. Works like a champ. Thanks for carrying parts for a unit this old.

Once I discovered that the ram was down, I had to determine why. Opened up the bottom and discoverer the drive gear was broken. Ordered the parts kit and made the repair. Did not know what the other parts in the kit were for, but it works.

mark the wires

Trash compactor was stuck, took apart to see the power nut stripped, ordered nuts and while putting the ram back in I didnt see the reversing switch lever and broke it off.Guess Ill order a new switch ($40)..moral of story...slow down and pay attention to the details..

Laid compactor over on its side. REMOVED 5 SCREWS holding cover plate to expose gear drive. Found that large drive broke in half. Used screwdriver to start split ring then pliers to pull it off the rest of the way.Take off the washer . Next I needed to losten the 4 nuts holding the drive motor. This allowed me to slip the rest of the drive gear off the drive shaft. It was then a simple matter to put the new gear back on the chain then slide the whole thing back on the drive shaft. Replace the washer then slip the split ring back in place and seat it home with the pliers. Retighten 4 nuts on motor support. Put cover back on with 5 screws 2 in front 3 in back Pushed button it worked.I must mention that this was a Sears compactor but when I went to their online parts they no longer supported it. I found Part select and they suggested I look at a Kitchenaid compactor and after checking out the picture it looked the same,Iordered the part and it was the same. Thanks I guess I'll come to you first now.

Took of top housing; saw traveling compactor not properlly alligned. Removed cover from Power Nut; saw that it was stripped. Ordered new power nut. Replaced power nut & aligned traveling compactor. Replaced top housing.

removed old parts and replaced

There were no instructions that came with the parts kit other than how to set the spacing for the gear lash. There were parts in the kit which I have no idea what they are (4 inch long plastic pipes?. Having 4 years experience with Sunbeam appliance repair was an asset. The old melted and broken gear came off easily with a few strikes of a hammer on a flat blade screwdriver. The replacement gear was a perfect match and the scroll pin was put in with a little gusto effort (tight fit as it should be). It would be great if just one gear or the other could be ordered....