Compactor draw was not opening fully as the wheel bearings had seized
I followed the you tube video instructions provided by customer care. This involved pulling the unit free from the cabinet, removing several screws that held the housing in place, this gave access to the wheel assembly, then I removed the nuts that held the wheel assembly in place. Fitting the new wheel assemblies was easy as was replacing the housing screws. After reinserting the draw and pushing the unit back into the cabinet it worked like new
Compactor piston stuck in down position and couldn't open!!!
First thing I did was put the unit on its side and removed the bottom to access the broken plastic gear that moves the chain that drives the compactor up and down...There I was able to manually move the chain by turning the nut with pliers and moving the piston up (painfully slow) until I could at least use the bin for trash while I waited for the replacement part to arrive. Once I had the part I loosened the four bolts that allowed the drive gear to move a little and slacken the chain - I then put in the new gear - make sure you have the proper spacing and washers - my replacement kit didn't have any washers so I resused the old washers and all seems to be working well!
Trash Compactor ram will not move while motor running, stripped power nuts
Move the unit out of the cabinet, and take off the top cover.The two drive screws are easy to see. unscrew the two screws of one of the power nut covers and remove that cover. With pliers, unscrew the plastic power nut from that screw. Screw on the replacement power nut with the help of pliers and some heavy grease. install the bearing cap. Use the same procedure for replacing the plastic power nut on the other screw. To make sure the piston is level, place the cover on the power screw but do not attach it. Measure from the end of the screw to the top of the cover of the first screw, then adjust the second power nut up or down so the two power screw nut covers are the same distance down from the top of the it's power screw Lift up the piton assembly to close the gap, if any (I used a short piece of rope) , and install the screws on the second power bearing cap. After installation. recheck the distance from the top of the power screws to the power bearing caps is close to the same distance so the piston will be level.. This same procedure could be followed for other brands. Power of the appliance and verify functionality, if OK replace the top cover and push unit back into the cabinet..
The plastic power nut had stripped out on my 12 year old trash compactor. Ordered 2 new ones from Partselect and installed them. Now it works like new again.
I flipped this unit over,removed 4 screws to the drive gear.I tore apart found a nut came off the screw rod.Which broke the drive gear.I looked on line found the parts select page.That showed the diagram i needed,to order parts, i needed.The wife and i tackled this task,of repairing this product.The repair was quick and easy.It took less than 30 minutes including cleanup.The wife happy,that all that matters. Jack
It is held on with three screws. The PartSelect was the only web site that showed me a picture of the part I wanted. The other web sites said it was no longer made. It was shipped out the day I ordered it, and took a minute to install it. Will order again from your company - great service - thanks.
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!
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.
Unscrewed old one. Slide new one in. Screwed in two screws. Done. The handle ended up being black, even though the part was listed as brown.... that is good, because the original part was black. So glad you had the part. It was pricey, but way less than a new trash compactor!