I replaced both lower hinges without removing the doors. First a couple of observations. The hinge kit consists of two parts; the lower part (bolted to the case) consists of an “L” bracket with a plastic cam, and the upper plastic cam (attached to the door). For some reason the upper cam is available as a separate part . If both cams are plastic both are worn out. Don’t bother ordering the individual cam. If one hinge is worn out the other probably isn’t far behind. Consider replacing both at the same time. Examine the door check. It is an inverted “T” shaped bracket bolted to the door that also holds the door cam. The crossbar of the T are metal tabs that check the door swing. Way too fragile IMO. On mine the refrigerator side was cracked and broke off when I removed it. Since the stops are the same right and left. I just swapped them when I replaced the hinges. Saved $22. Replacing the hinges without removing the doors. {Warning if this technique goes wrong you will be stuck with a loaded door you can’t open.} Remove the vent grill. Stack three 2x4’s along the bottom of both doors ( 26” is about right ). Shim the door(s) up to compensate for the cam wear. About 1/8”) Use a 5/16 socket to remove the hinge from the case. Pay attention to placement of the shims and spacers. Then remove the door cam and stop bracket. Install the new door cam. Leave the screws a little loose. Replace the lower hinge and tighten the screws. Do both sides. Then carefully remove the shims and 2x4’s. Finish tightening the door hinge screws. Check the door swing. I used this technique twice. One to replace the refrigerator side hinge, then again to replace the freezer side hinge and swap the door checks. There were no problems and I saved the hassle of unloading and removing the doors.
Extremely easy repair, the hardest part was getting the old switch out. I used a pair of needle nose pliers to squeeze the tabs in and it came right out.
Emptied refrigerator door shelves. Supported door with 4x4 blocks.removed old door hinge and replaced with new.
Emptied refrigerator door shelves. Supported door with 4x4 blocks. Removed old door hinge and replaced with new door hinge and cams. Pleased with end result and dealing with PartSelect.
Easy repair. No need to remove the door. Simply prop up the door with blocks or books - remove hinge and riser assembly - replace with new parts. Total repair time about 15 minutes. Tools needed only an open end wrench.
This actually was a part of a thermostat problem. I bought a thermostat one week earlier and that fixed the problem. I bought the thermostat thinking that was part of the warming of the fresh food and freezer section. I installed the defrost timer anyway with the thermostat and it is working well. I didn't know that the freezer got above 15 degrees on the defrost cycle every 16 hours. One 1/4 hex screw at the top of the housing removes the entire assembly. Be careful not to damage the foam on the left side removing the housing. There is a tab on the bottom right on the back panel that lifts up to remove. Unplug that whole assembly from the fridge wiring harness and the rest is obvious.
first i entered the symptoms into your site and the culprit was gonna be the defrost timer or defrost heater-thermostat. I ordered the parts and they arrived the next day even though I didn't pay for next day. Defrosting the freezer was what took the time.After it was thawed it only took about 15 minutes to install the heater and timer. Am happy to say I have all the ice I need and your diagnosis was right on.
I first googled the problem, then narrowed down the parts that could cause the problem (if failed), then took out the parts and determined that they had indeed failed. I then ordered said parts and installed them. It was easy because they are "plug and play" parts. The hardest part was removing (and then replacing) the back panel inside the freezer just because it was awkward to reach the screws.
The part arrived very fast, I had read other posts about emptying the door etc so that all made it go really fast. I changed the part out in about 10 min. but the shelf removal etc all added up to about 20 - 25 min.
Remove the hinge cap on top, the loosen the bolts, remove the hinge. Pick up the door from the lower hinge, lay it down and place the cam riser on the lower hinge. Replace the door, install the top hinge and check the alignment and you are done.
