How do I fix an oven door that doesn't close all the way?

[gredmondson]

The oven door on this Gaffer and Sattler gas stove does not close all the way; it remains open about 1/2 inch. I can see part of the oven door springs, and they look newish, shiny bright, and the stove is quite old. I wonder if they have been replaced, but by springs that are too weak. To replace them, do I have to take the sides off the stove? Is there another possible cause for the oven door not closing? It seems to be straight.

 

[toggleswitch2]

Nice stove!

Well I guess force it, bend it and bang it are not options, eh?

OOOH I need a cigarette.

 

[gizmo]

Not familiar with your stove, but hinges are the likely culprit.

Springs could be weak, hinge rivets and joins could be worn or sloppy, hinge metal arms could be bent.

When the door is fully open, does it sit flat or slope downwards? If it slopes, it is likely the door has been bent downwards when open, or used as a step, and the hinges have been bent.

chris

 

[tomturbomatic]

It's possible that if you remove the broiler drawer, generally involving a combination of pulling out and lifting up at some degree between closed and fully extended, you will be able to see there the springs attach to the base frame. Often there will be several notches from which to choose. Maybe a notch or two in whichever direction pulls the door tighter against the frame will make it work if the door itself is not damaged.

 

[gredmondson]

When the door is open, the door is flat.

The door does not slope down. How do I get to the springs?

 

[gredmondson]

When the door is open, the door is flat.

The door does not slope down. How do I get to the springs?

 

[toggleswitch2]

Take one out of the stove to a hardware store and get one from there that matches the closest to it.

The beauty of classic old gas stoves is that once you clean it, regrease the valves and the hinges and change the springs, there is nothing else left to fix.