Removing a refrigerator door does not have to be a complex process if you know what to do. This article explains how to remove a KitchenAid side-by-side refrigerator door in easy steps.
How to Remove a KitchenAid Side-by-Side Refrigerator Door
Disconnect the refrigerator from electric power; unplug it if you can reach the wall outlet or turn off the circuit breaker. Locate the top hinge cover on one door and unthread the screws holding them in place. If there are no hinges, skip to the next part. Unmount the screws holding the top hinge in place and have someone help you hold the door while you remove the top hinge. Now, lift the door off the bottom hinge and set it aside.
The removal steps are different if the door has an ice or water dispenser. Remove the bottom kickplate or grill to access the water line for the dispenser under the refrigerator. There may be a locking clip holding the water line to the coupler so it does not separate from it. Remove the retaining ring from the coupler using an open-ended wrench to detach the water line. When you remove the water line, some water may leak, so be prepared to catch it.
Go back to the top of the door and detach the wire harness on top of the door. Once the wires are loose and out, remove the screws holding the top hinge in place and lift the hinge off. Then, you can lift the hinge off the door and lift the door off the bottom hinge, and set it aside on a safe work surface for later disposal.
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Door Replacement
You can retrace your steps to replace the doors removed from the refrigerator. But before doing that, check the bushing on the bottom hinge; it may need lubricating. You can use silicone-based grease to lubricate it so that there is no friction. With the help of your assistant, carry the refrigerator door and position it on the bottom hinge pin and bushing. Ensure the door closing cam is in good working order before securing the door.
Align the top hinge after correctly positioning the door. While your assistant holds it in place, insert the screws into the holes and tighten them. Keep the door as level and aligned as possible before tightening the screws. Replace the hinge cover and snap it into place. If your refrigerator does not have an in-door dispenser, replace the second door as you did the first. But if it has a dispenser in the door, go to the next step.
Carry the door with the dispenser and position it on the bottom hinge; thread the water line through the hinge pin before completely balancing the door. As with the refrigerator door, ensure the door closing cam for the freezer door works well before completely balancing the door. Hold the door in place and place the top hinge in its position. Before tightening the hinge screws, check to see that the doors are aligned.
Tighten the screws and reconnect the wire harness on the top door hinge. Thread the dispenser water line through the coupler and secure the coupler with the locking clip. This step may not apply to your model if there is no coupler on the top hinge. Place the hinge cover on the hinge and snap it into place.
Fix the water dispenser line under the refrigerator into the coupler and secure it with the locking clip. When it is secure, align the bottom grill and push it back into place. Secure it with the screws if applicable. Finally, reconnect the refrigerator to electric power and check the doors and dispenser. Speak with an appliance technician at KitchenAid Service Center if you have issues removing or replacing the door.
Note: These steps also apply to French-door and double-door refrigerator models. But top-freezer models have separate removal steps.
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