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Main Forum => Tips and Tricks => Topic started by: Barry-Sue on April 17, 2015, 11:06:58 am

Title: NORCOLD Door Hinge Retrofit Kit
Post by: Barry-Sue on April 17, 2015, 11:06:58 am

After seeing one of our fellow PC owners refrigerator door break and then reading about many more online we decided to purchase the Door Hinge Retrofit Kit from Norcold.  I called Norcold to confirm that part number 634166 would fit our refrigerator which is a N621.

We ordered it from amazon, it looks like this http://www.ebay.com/itm/Norcold-634166-RV-Refrigerator-Door-Hinge-Kit-/321253813258 and installed it today.  It was a five minute job and it looks to really have reinforced the lower hinge.  The large metal part actually slides onto the frame door and reinforces the lower hinge very well.

Barry

Title: Re: NORCOLD Door Hinge Retrofit Kit
Post by: Bruce on August 17, 2015, 04:49:35 pm

Barry,
I just received a Norcold Door Hinge Kit and find the installation instruction page to be of almost no help.

I assume I first take the door off by removing the top and bottom plastic screws at the hinges.

Is the next step to slide the Retrofit-hinge-left someplace at the bottom of the refrigerator or at the bottom of the door?

I'd like to better understand this before starting on this.

Since you are very good at posting procedures, can you list the steps for me?

--Bruce

Title: Re: NORCOLD Door Hinge Retrofit Kit
Post by: Ron Dittmer on August 17, 2015, 06:47:15 pm

Hi Bruce,

My 8 year old fridge, I only remove the top screw which is the pin there.  With that pin removed, I pull the top of the door away from the fixed portion of the hinge, just enough to clear it.  Then I lift the door off the bottom hinge pin.  Install in reverse order.

With the door removed, place it face down on the floor and work the metal reinforcement plate into position.  I used a thin putty knife to encourage the two steel prongs to get past the white gasket without damage.  You will know it is good when the metal ring snaps over the plastic hinge bushing thingy.

Title: Re: NORCOLD Door Hinge Retrofit Kit
Post by: Barry-Sue on August 17, 2015, 06:51:17 pm

Bruce,

1.  Remove the screw on the upper hinge
2.  Pull the door up off the lower hinge and remove the door
3.  Place the door on a flat surface with the inside of the door facing up and the bottom towards you
4.  Take the retrofit hinge and line it up with the hole of the door hinge and slide it on the bottom frame of the door.  The retrofit hinge has a folded edge and this gets slid over the black bottom frame of the door (between the gasket and the frame).
5.  Place washer on the pin of the refrigerator frame
6.  Reinstall door

Hopefully this is easier to follow then the instructions that came with it.

Barry

Title: Re: NORCOLD Door Hinge Retrofit Kit
Post by: Bruce on August 17, 2015, 07:40:57 pm

Ron and Barry,

Thank you both very much for your replies on this.  I think with your help I'll be able to get the kit installed tomorrow.

Will let you know how it goes.

--Bruce

Title: Re: NORCOLD Door Hinge Retrofit Kit
Post by: Bruce on August 18, 2015, 03:05:46 pm

Ron and Barry,

Your directions really helped me remove the door.  When it was off and placed down on the bed, I could see and feel that the door already has the metal hinge in place.

Before taking the door off I felt totally confident that the hinge was made of plastic, but all that I could really see was the very edge of the hinge.

Anyway, this discovery made the job very easy.  Just reinstall the door and be done with it.   :lol

Thanks again for your help.

--Bruce