Dometic RM 8551 door repair

[Patandlinda]

Originally Posted by Patandlinda

Myron have the same refrigerator. Good to know about the replacement latch if I ever need it ! Thankyou ! Pat

You too Donna ! Pat

[MyronL]

Yes, Jim and my clumsy use as a means to keep the door latched but open for ventilation is likely what led to my breaking it. The replacement part is considerably more hefty across that area when the door latches.

[dunnet]

Thanks Donna, the part was waiting for us when we got home and with a minor modification it fit and works well. We had been over some bumpy roads and the bottom bracket for the fridge for had to be adjusted (bent back up). Here is a picture of the earlier repair I did to the upper pivot on the door. I cut out the broken plastic and shaped a piece of stainless steel to fit and used epoxy to hold it in.

I'm still on the hunt for the freezer hinge.

[rubicon327]

Originally Posted by dunnet

I'm still on the hunt for the freezer hinge.

Is it one of these?
https://www.dyersonline.com/advanced...=freezer+hinge

[dunnet]

Originally Posted by rubicon327

Is it one of these?
https://www.dyersonline.com/advanced...=freezer+hinge

it has taken me a while to get to the hinge. It looks like one of them, I need to find a part number for the one I have to be sure. Thanks.

[rubicon327]

Originally Posted by dunnet

Is it one of these?
https://www.dyersonline.com/advanced...=freezer+hinge

it has taken me a while to get to the hinge. It looks like one of them, I need to find a part number for the one I have to be sure. Thanks.

From some parts diagrams online it looks like you need Dometic part # 2412125011 which would be this specific hinge
https://www.dyersonline.com/dometic-...-assembly.html

[huskersteffy]

So I went out and started checking things out for a trip south later this month and noticed the cheap plastic door latches (catches?) on my Dometic RMD8555 (2 door) are cracked and almost worn through. I found this thread and ordered the Bastens replacement latch mentioned earlier in this thread (thanks Donna!).

For those who have installed the Bastens replacement, has it held up?

Also, does the clear plastic cover on the existing latch assembly just pop off? I was trying several different angles but afraid I will break the damn thing.

Thanks!

[dunnet]

The light cover does pop off, I remember fiddling with it to get it off. The replacement has worked well, we broke the original by trying to close the door when the bracket was pulled out.

[Donna D.]

I've used a plain ole butter knife to pop off the light cover. I would imagine a putty knife would work too. Just go slow and work all the way around.

[Nindy]

Thank you, Sunrisetrucker, Myron and Donna!

I have struggled with my fridge door for too many years and fixed it today with J-B Weld and a washer on top and some reinforcing with J-B Weld on the bottom hinge. My latch piece isn't in too bad of shape and I got it to work again but I have ordered the piece from Bastens.

My door closes just like butter now.

Thank you for the ideas!
Linda

[yardsale]

Ours FELL OFF a few years back. Was still under the two year warranty and Dometic exchanged for a new fridge. Covered the instillation labor too.

[vfarsch]

Sunrisetrucker, thanks for the reply. So far our gluing that female plastic part seems to be holding, but if it cracks and breaks off again, this is a great way to fix it. Also, I may take a better look at the bottom hinge and use a washer to prevent similar damage.

Our issue is the top hinge pin itself moves from side to side. We are not good fixer-uppers, so we have not attempted to remove the eye level panel to get a better view. Even if we did, would have no idea what to do. Does anyone know if this repairable?

[sunrisetrucker]

Originally Posted by vfarsch

Our issue is the top hinge pin itself moves from side to side. We are not good fixer-uppers, so we have not attempted to remove the eye level panel to get a better view. Even if we did, would have no idea what to do. Does anyone know if this repairable?

If it is the same as mine there are two screws that attach the hinge pin to the frame of the fridge. These might simply be loose. The panel is easy to remove, held on by two small screws. After it is removed you'll have easy access to the hinge pin.

[vfarsch]

sunrisetrucker said "If it is the same as mine there are two screws that attach the hinge pin to the frame of the fridge. These might simply be loose. The panel is easy to remove, held on by two small screws. After it is removed you'll have easy access to the hinge pin"


My husband and I followed your great instructions. We removed the top panel, but it was attached with all the electrical wires in the back, so we could not get it to clear the area. We struggled with the tight space, but with my thin fingers holding a phillips screw head for a drill in place, and his strength turning it with pliers, we were able to tighten the three screws that hold the top hinge. We replaced the refrigerator door, and it seemed to shut fine. Not sure how long the screws will hold, but I will be more careful what I store on the door from here on out.

Thanks for your help!

Now I am just waiting for the 2 new freezer door hinges to arrive so I can replace the broken ones, hopefully we can have a freezer while camping again.

[sunrisetrucker]

Originally Posted by vfarsch

sunrisetrucker said "If it is the same as mine there are two screws that attach the hinge pin to the frame of the fridge. These might simply be loose. The panel is easy to remove, held on by two small screws. After it is removed you'll have easy access to the hinge pin"


My husband and I followed your great instructions. We removed the top panel, but it was attached with all the electrical wires in the back, so we could not get it to clear the area. We struggled with the tight space, but with my thin fingers holding a phillips screw head for a drill in place, and his strength turning it with pliers, we were able to tighten the three screws that hold the top hinge. We replaced the refrigerator door, and it seemed to shut fine. Not sure how long the screws will hold, but I will be more careful what I store on the door from here on out.

Thanks for your help!

Now I am just waiting for the 2 new freezer door hinges to arrive so I can replace the broken ones, hopefully we can have a freezer while camping again.

Glad to help. I said two screws holding the pin but you're right it was three. You might want to get an off set Philips screw driver like this one. That way you can apply more downward pressure on the screws and be able to tighten then even better.

[Tonny LR]

My Dometic Fridge RM8551 is having a lot condensation inside the fridge. Upon inspection, I noticed that the rubber door gasket/seal is completely flat and I can see through to the inside of the fridge. I am enlisting forum members for help to locate a source and part number for the gasket before calling Dometic part dept. Any helpful instructions to replace the gasket will be greatly appreciated.

Tonny LR

[fudge_brownie]

In my searching for a RMD8555 gasket several years ago I found the gasket was not available as a separate item. It was necessary to purchase the entire door. My response was to warm the gasket with a hair dryer and then reshape the gasket to make a better seal. Use a dollar bill to test the seal. One hint: I found a $20 bill worked better for this test.

[rubicon327]

Originally Posted by Tonny LR

My Dometic Fridge RM8551 is having a lot condensation inside the fridge. Upon inspection, I noticed that the rubber door gasket/seal is completely flat and I can see through to the inside of the fridge. I am enlisting forum members for help to locate a source and part number for the gasket before calling Dometic part dept. Any helpful instructions to replace the gasket will be greatly appreciated.

Tonny LR

Tonny: Not sure what the shipping would be but you might want to check if this new door is still available in Ohio
https://www.escapeforum.org/forums/f...oor-19049.html

[Tonny LR]

Originally Posted by fudge_brownie

In my searching for a RMD8555 gasket several years ago I found the gasket was not available as a separate item. It was necessary to purchase the entire door. My response was to warm the gasket with a hair dryer and then reshape the gasket to make a better seal. Use a dollar bill to test the seal. One hint: I found a $20 bill worked better for this test.

Thank you for the suggestion of using hair dryer to re-shap the gasket. Will give it a try.

Tonny LR

[Tonny LR]

Originally Posted by rubicon327

Tonny: Not sure what the shipping would be but you might want to check if this new door is still available in Ohio
https://www.escapeforum.org/forums/f...oor-19049.html

Thanks. I sent him an email to enquire if the fridge is still for sale.

Tonny LR