65 replies to this topic

[Samurai Appliance Repair Man]

I detect an emerging issue on this one. Whirlpool will be coming out with a service bulletin on it in six months. Probably not a recall since it's not a health and safety issue.

[nickfixit]

I think whirlpool is depending on the foam to keep the door rigid. They keep making the steel thinner, and the door shelves bigger. The two trends seem to have reached the failure point. I think they will be replacing many doors.

Nick 

PS  excellent pictures and a fine home repair job.

[Budget Appliance Repair]

COME ON GUYS, Help us help you....... Post a model# with your question then we can do a little research to see what you are actually dealing with.........OK???????

[Pegi]

The model/serial tag should be in the food compartment on either the right or left wall.  On the older units it was above the toe panel down by the bottom door hinge where the door gasket would hit.   Your model number is 363.9514710, the 363 means it is made by G.E. not  Whirlpool.  I would suspect you might just need to replace your door cam risers as these wear out and break, not letting your door close properly.  This is normal wear, unless you let it go too long and let it damage the bottom of your door. Take a look at the assembly above the door support below the door, bet you will see the black riser is worn or broken...Sears shows the freezer side is WR13X0615 , the food side  is WR13X0614, both go to WR13X10020 so looks as both side come as a kit, this includes the bottom hinge and cam...Pegi

[Samurai Appliance Repair Man]

Model number help here.

[KevinZ]

I have the same problem with the door on my Kenmore Elite Refrigerator that I bought in the beginning of 2004. 

Model: 106.54602300

Serial: SR0244278

We first noticed the door on the refrigerator side was shorter than the freezer door by about 1/2" then my wife saw a crack at the bottom of the refrigerator door and was horrified to find that the hinge had broken through the plastic into the foam insulation of the door.

Before I had looked closely, I thought I could just replace the plastic piece which kind of raises the door as it opens, I guess to make it shut by itself as it goes back down.  Then I saw the whole door would basically have to be replaced to fix it.  We are worried about our 5 year old son or my pregnant wife being smashed by this heavy door if it drops down enough for the top hinge to come out. 

Front-view of corner.  (Sorry it's a bit blurry)



Side view:

[Pegi]

Call Sears and raise Hell if nice does not work, they have to replace this door, now!!!  And for free, I would insist!!!

[freelancer]

I also have a Kenmore Elite side by side model 106 with the door issue. Sears won't even talk to us and we've called everyone there. I think we should consider a leagl suit against Sears!:X

[freelancer]

I just emailed the Consumer Product Safety Commission for advice on this issue. We need everyone to complain so this issue will be addressed! :X

http://www.cpsc.gov/talk.html

 

[yaaqui]

Hi, if you do not get attention, go to bad RIP-OFF Bad Business Bureau and file a complaint.

This is very bad reputation for a seller or manufacturer

http://www.badbusinessbureau.com/

[Dipak]

I bought my Kenmore ELITE side-by-side (106.55604400) on 5/1/2005. On 6/1/2005,the bottom of the door looks exactly like yours. And yes, my door is getting lower & lower. Unfortunately, my freezer door has the same issue. Looking at your fix… Thanks for the idea! I will do the same. I agree… load distribution is the issue.

R/Dipak

[Budget Appliance Repair]

[user=2910]Dipak[/user] wrote:

I bought my Kenmore ELITE side-by-side (106.55604400) on 5/1/2005. On 6/1/2005,the bottom of the door looks exactly like yours. And yes, my door is getting lower & lower. Unfortunately, my freezer door has the same issue. Looking at your fix… Thanks for the idea! I will do the same. I agree… load distribution is the issue.


R/Dipak

Did you really purchase this unit new from Sears on 5/1/2005 or did you mean 2004?????

If you just purchased it make Sears come out an fix it correctly, you shouldn't have to muck around with a repair like this on a 3 month old refrigerator.

On second thought, why even accept a repair -- Make them give you a new one -- There is diffinitely a problem with these units but 3 months and already broken is crazy!!!!!

[Dipak]

Sorry… I meant to type 2004.

I spoke to the local Sears Service Manager and the response was to replace the door at my cost.

R/Dipak

[Budget Appliance Repair]

Unfortunitly that's the normal kind of response your will get from Sears once the warranty period is up, they really don't care about customer service!!!!!! (I don't think they even know what customer service is).