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Beware the "two screws, five minutes" repair stories!
169 of 176 peoplefound this instruction helpful.
Scott from Ventura, CA
Difficult
1- 2 hours
Pliers, Screw drivers, Socket set
Needed a replacement actuator for KitchenAid trash compactor model KUCS03FTSS0. The part that broke is a small metal flange held in place by two screws. PartSelect.com clearly shows this part in the online exploded view of Container Parts. When I received the replacement order in the mail, I was surprised that it was not what I thought
... Read more I had ordered (a single replacement piece), but a new, *completely redesigned* actuator kit. For this model (and perhaps for other models) this new kit requires much more extensive work than just replacing two screws. Repair entailed removing the trash compactor from its installation position, removing the recess cover and machine front, disconnecting and removing the old actuator switch, drilling holes in the machine front, attaching the new actuator assembly, and disconnecting and reattaching the foot pedal. Not an overly burdensome or complicated repair, but I had been fooled by the expectation of it being a five-minute job! (Submitted on 7/2/2011 by Scott - Ventura, CA)
Moved the compactor out from under cabinet and unplugged the powercable.Laid compactor over on its side Removed the top (4 screws) and base plate (3 screws) as well as the coverplate for the motor(3 screws)Found that large drive was broken in half. Used two screwdrivers to start split ring then pliers to pull it off the rest of the way.
... Read morer />Removed the drive gear and the washer. Used a nail to drive out the pin for the smaller drive gear kit. Removed and replaced with new, used new pin to lock it on to the shaft. Changed out the bearings and washers on one powerscrew, put chain back on. Then 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. Greased chain, gear drive and powerscrew. Put all covers back on with the screws. Pushed button it worked.
I pulled the trash compactor out from under the counter.
I took out the four screws that kept the top cover in place to expose the ram.
The gear shafts were turning but the ram would not lower, at first I though the ram drive bolts were stripped and it wouldn't engage the shaft. Then I realized there was a mechanical
... Read more directional\limit switch at the top that controlled the power and direction the gear shafts were turning, this switch was broken.
Just had to take off the front plate that was held on by a number of screws and replace the switch that was held on by two more screws. It had five wires attached to it, the new switch was clearly labeled as to which color wire went where.
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Compactor wouldn't turn on but I could reach up with my finger when the door was closed and activate the trash compactor. So I knew it was operating properly it just was not connecting when we pushed up the toe plate
36 of 43 peoplefound this instruction helpful.
kim from spring, TN
Really Easy
Less than 15 mins
Screw drivers
It was unbelievably easy!! I used a screw driver to remove two screws then replaced with the new activator. $15 total fix... As opposed to $150+ for a service call and repair!!! Woo hoo...
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Compactor motor kept running after cycle ran, making alot of noise and unit jumping around.
34 of 42 peoplefound this instruction helpful.
Keith from Keller, TX
Easy
15 - 30 mins
Screw drivers, Socket set
Pulled the Compactor from underneath cabinet, unplugged power. Removed the top plate off compactor to expose the crush piston. Removed the front control panel by removing two phillips screws, wiring and directional (limit) switch is now exposed. Removed the two screws securing switch, removed wiring one wire at a time and replaced on new
... Read moreswitch in same position. Replaced switch in same manner as removed, and followed reverse of above to re-assemble. Plugged back in and tested, problem resolved works like new. Only took possibly 30" to repair and saved an expensive service call.
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Broken Gear
21 of 22 peoplefound this instruction helpful.
Matt from Houston, TX
A Bit Difficult
More than 2 hours
Screw drivers, Socket set
Trash compactor started making "bumping" sounds when the RAM went through a cycle and tried to come back up. Finally, one day heard a "pop" went the RAM traveled to the bottom. The gear broke in half. Purchased the gear parts "KIT" online and repair took 15 minutes. Easy to do. Unfortunately, this was not only problem. The "cause" of
... Read morethe gear breaking was the Momentary Start/Stop Switch was bad. It's failure led to the main switch not working. The unit could not tell when the RAM had reached the top of it's cycle. The other problem was that I didn't put trash in the compactor. Suggest HIGHLY to never operate the unit's RAM mechanism without the compactor being at least 1/2 full per the instruction manual. Running it empty can cause a major problem, such as the gear breaking/stripping.
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Replaced switch actuator with a redsigned part actuator
18 of 21 peoplefound this instruction helpful.
Salvatore from Colorado Springs, CO
A Bit Difficult
1- 2 hours
Screw drivers, Socket set, Wrench set
Removed compactor drawer. Replaced toe guard. Since compactor electrical plug in our case is behind the machine, I turned off the circuit breaker at the electrical panel rather removing the plug. Removed compactor front (stationary part) of the compactor. In order to get the front assembly off-must pull the compactor machine out of the in
... Read morestalled space under the cabinet in order to remove the screws on the sides of the front assembly. In addition must remove the top cover also to free the front assembly. Removal of the old actuator switch is combersome since there are several wires attached to the front assembly. After replacing the actuator and reinstalling the front assembly. Used the template provided to drill holes 3/32 for the replacement spring-holes are undersized and had to open them up to get the screws to go in.(1/8 might have been a better option). The hole alignment was also not great would suggest that you drill one hole with the templete and insert one screw and drill the 2nd hole using the new part as the template. Re-install machine under cabinet and re-install drawer. Everything should work fine.
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Large Drive Gear Failure (split in half)
17 of 19 peoplefound this instruction helpful.
Mark from Littleton, CO
Easy
30 - 60 mins
Nutdriver, Pliers, Socket set
Moved the compactor out from under cabinet, laid it on it's side, removed bottom casing (two nuts front, three back), remove compression pin from small drive gear shart, replace new small drive gear and install compression pin, loosen motor mounts to allow large gear replacement, remove circlip holding large drive gear to shaft, remove an
... Read mored repace damaged gear, set gear clearance and tighten motor mounts, grease gears, replace bottom casing. .
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Cheap piece of metal crippled trash compactor
16 of 22 peoplefound this instruction helpful.
Bartlett from Kinsale, VA
Really Easy
Less than 15 mins
Screw drivers
After less than about 100 uses a little metal piece broke off the compactor. The piece pushes in a plunger switch when the door closes and allows activation of compaction thus prevening compaction with the door open. Without the piece the compactor does not work. Repairman was at my house for another Kitchen Aid repair and said he cou
... Read moreld come back and fix the compactor for about $200 but suggested I search online for the part because it was super simple to install. Took his advice and am back in action. Simply had to screw two screws to attach the actuator device. Took less time than writing this commentary. Cheers
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Drive Gear Broken
12 of 13 peoplefound this instruction helpful.
clyde from Covington, GA
Easy
30 - 60 mins
Nutdriver, Screw drivers
Replaced the gear and unit worked execpt the plunger hit the side of the garbage container. This appears the be the reason the gear broke in the first place. Defective assembly from the factory.
To correct I had to remove the newly installed gear system remove inside cardboard side cover, Remove the screws that hold the bea
... Read morering for the lift screw so I could remove the chain. After removing the chain I could adjust the plunger to be level and not hit the side of the garbage container on its way down.
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Scratches in Surface
83 of 227 peoplefound this instruction helpful.
Michelle from Richardson, TX
Really Easy
Less than 15 mins
This product comes in a bottle with a brush like Liquid Paper. It goes on incredibly easy. A second coat might be needed. I wanted to prevent rust from setting in so I covered the scratches and dings. The paint is a little brighter since my washer is 10 years old but it still looks great.
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The plunger was stuck down
11 of 15 peoplefound this instruction helpful.
Daniel from San Clemente, CA
Easy
15 - 30 mins
Nutdriver, Pliers, Screw drivers
Took the under housing off to see the drive gear. It had broken in half. (Exactly like one of the suggestions said). Replaced the drive gear and re-assembled. It worked great!
Thanks.
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locking nut was stripped
12 of 18 peoplefound this instruction helpful.
Tim from Bigfork, MT
Easy
15 - 30 mins
Pliers, Screw drivers
After calling a repair man and being told my appliance was to old for him to repair I discovered your website. I simply entered the model number and a picture of the part I was looking for was easily found. I ordered online and received the replacement parts 5 day's later. I simply swapped out the old locking nuts with the new ones from
... Read more your website and the repair was complete. What could have been an easy $100 repair cost a fraction of that and the trash compactor is working just fine.
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The Actuator (switch that activates the compactor) broke
12 of 21 peoplefound this instruction helpful.
Thomas from Truckee, CA
Really Easy
Less than 15 mins
Screw drivers
I removed the two screws that hold the actuator in place, put the new part in line with the screws and turned the screws to hold the part in place. Took 5 minutes.
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The compactor keeps on making noise at the end of the compactor cycle with shaking until the "off" switch is pushed.
7 of 8 peoplefound this instruction helpful.
Paul from Sandy Springs, GA
Easy
15 - 30 mins
Nutdriver, Pliers
Took off front panel and replaced the directional switch which I thought was the problem. However, the problem continued. I read on line it could be the "centrifugal" switch on top of the motor. I haven't gotten around to taking it apart yet to see if that is the problem because it is more involved down under and in the back. That switch
... Read morecost $88. Any suggestions from others?
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