Norcold refrigerator door hinge broke.

[Wonderdog1]

Hi looking for some help. Our Norcold refrigerator door hinge on the bottom just broke off. It is plastic and part of the framework around the door. Will l have to get a totally new door or are there parts available for this problem? I really don’t see anyway to take the door apart.

Any help would be appreciated.

Wonderdog1

[ThomB]

I had to buy a new door.

There is a chance you could glue it and put in a hinge kit. Either way buy the hinge kit and use it!!! Something I wish I’d known before it broke. I think I paid about $80 for the new door and you have to swap over hardware and the front panel.

Norcold 634166 Door Hinge Kit https://www.amazon.com/dp/B008KWP6MC/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_tai_yu01CbDJ2S4SJ

[Wonderdog1]

ThomB,

Thank you so much for your quick reply! I have ordered the part.

After posting my question l found in an earlier post that we were not the first to have this problem. There were several others that had experienced the same problem.

This forum is a great source and we really appreciate it and folks like you!

Wonderdog1

[al1florida]

Originally Posted by ThomB

I had to buy a new door.

There is a chance you could glue it and put in a hinge kit. Either way buy the hinge kit and use it!!! Something I wish I’d known before it broke. I think I paid about $80 for the new door and you have to swap over hardware and the front panel.

Norcold 634166 Door Hinge Kit https://www.amazon.com/dp/B008KWP6MC..._yu01CbDJ2S4SJ

The hinge kit looks like a steel part, is that correct? It has been several years, but the time my hinge on a Norcold broke it was a plastic part that I was able to epoxy together.

[ThomB]

Originally Posted by al1florida

The hinge kit looks like a steel part, is that correct? It has been several years, but the time my hinge on a Norcold broke it was a plastic part that I was able to epoxy together.

That is correct. It basically protects the plastic hinge not replaces it.

[AndyG]

Same story, bottom hinge broke. I was able to glue the plastic hinge piece back on with JB weld and installed the hinge kit. Works fine.
Hope Norcold includes the metal hinge support in the new models.

[Wonderdog1]

SORRY! I should have reported my results earlier.

I was able to super glue the broken hinge back on the door and installed the steel hinge support ThomB recommended. I then used JB weld to build-up /reinforce the area around the plastic hinge. (this maybe overkill, but it can’t hurt) We haven’t went on a trip with it yet, but appears to have fixed the problem.

I contacted Norcold about the problem and got the company line about the issue. I was told l could purchase the metal hinge support to help with the problem. I then asked that if Norcold was aware of the issue why would they not install one of these initially to the door? I was told that model of refrigerator was replaced with a different model. If this is true, hopefully they have addressed the issue.

Again a big “THANKS” to ThomB and others here for their support!

Wonderdog1

[youracman]

Mine broke a couple of days ago. I have almost finished the mod that is described on several youtube videos (using 2" X 1/8" Aluminum strap.) Looks a little "clunky" but I agree with one of the youtube posters: "...... it will almost certainly outlast the rest of the fridge."

https://www.youtube.com/results?sear...r+hinge+repair

The black paint is drying, install tomorrow (and hope it passes the "dollar bill" test on the door seal. :^)

Safe travels..............

[youracman]

Just a "heads up" folks re the broken hinge fix that is described in several youtube videos at the link I posted above. I used a piece of new 2" X 1/8" aluminum strap (from HD) about 5" long on mine. The heads up: I used 3 panhead sheet metal screws to attach the "fix" hardware to the fridge door; but the screw head nearest the hinge pin caused mild interference on closing the door as it was just a little too "tall". I replaced it with a flat-head sheet metal screw (counter sunk the aluminum "fix" hardware so the screw installed flush) and all was well. Works great and the door seal makes good contact. Painted the hardware I fabricated with a low gloss black from a "rattle can" and it is not obtrusive in the least. Pretty easy task, really and I believe the installation is far superior to the OEM plastic design strength wise. (I did, in fact, JB Weld the broken plastic piece back in place, but now it is just a "spacer"..... the new aluminum piece "does all the work".) If you ever have to do it, plan on just a few hours time..... maybe an afternoon.

Safe travels, all ..........................