KitchenAid Mixer--How to Take Apart?

[blackstone]

A friend gave me a KitchenAid mixer, model K45SSAL, which makes noise inside, and does not mix as strongly as it should. I went to take the top of the blender off, but got stumped. Since it is not mine, I did not want to apply too much force to it. I couldn't find any service information on the internet. Anybody know how to get this thing apart? This is one of the heavy, countertop mixer with the tilt-back top.

 

[maytagbear]

Say what?

"Blender"??

Lawrence/Maytagbear

 

[irishwashguy]

I called KitchenAid dirrect

I would not suggest taking it apart., i looked up the # for you, it is 1-800-422-1230. they can help you, and they are quite fabulous. --------I callled the # and got he info for you-----Jacks vacuum and Appliance----413-547-2800-- 167 A East Street. Ludlow,Ma 01056. I hope that helps you out. Ritchie

 

[gansky1]

Did you remove the rear cover and the aluminum band around the head? You should see some screws under that? Here is a diagram I found a while back, not sure if it will be helpful but I always try to remember that if it was put together, it can be taken apart!

 

[blackstone]

Thanks for the help; I'll have to give it another shot. Greg, that's the right diagram. I removed 4 screws on the bottom (not shown in the diagram), but the top did not loosen up. If I don't succeed on the next try, I'll call.

 

[rp2813]

I've taken the rear cover off of one of these before and it's no big deal to do. My mom's old Hobart-made K45 started making a squealing noise so it was replaced with a new "Classic" model KA not made by Hobart. When I took the rear cover off of the old Hobart one it appeared that a plastic fan blade was the noise maker. A couple of sprays of WD-40 on the spindle and it quieted down. My parents gave that mixer to my sister who has been using it ever since without any noise problems. Kind of wish my partner hadn't bought his "Ultra Power" model prior to this incident because we'd have that Hobart one right now instead. Fred, if your mixer is making a similar squealing noise, this should be an easy fix for you.

 

[irishwashguy]

Hey everyone

i aplogise if I sounded crass. it sounds like you are much more mechanicly enclined than I am . I have taken a few dryers apart in my time,(which is easy) i would just be afraid to take one of these apart.Sounds like you are doing really good with it. i have a brand new KitchenAid bowl lift model, which is a whole different animal than yours.

 

[blackstone]

All comments welcome

Ritchie,
I didn't take it that way. Any suggestions are helpful, especially the telephone numbers. Haven't called yet; haven't tried anything else yet. If it were my mixer, I wouldn't be afraid to do whatever to get that top off. The noise is somewhere inside there, not in the back fan blade. Other than the four screws on the bottom, I can't see what else holds the top on, except friction.

 

[tumbler]

K-A mixer disassembly

Taking the rear cover off only gives access to the speed governor. Also, the two plastic screw-on black plastic buttons, one on each side, access the motor brushes. If they're worn too short, the motor will lose power and eventually not work at all. Very easy replacement, just make sure the curved surface of the brush follows the curve of the mixer body. Getting the top off is harder; you must remove the screws on the underside and drive out the pin which secures the rotating disc (which has the shaft sticking out where you put on the beater), and pull it off the shaft before you can open the gearcase. A note about quality; unlike the K-A dishwashers, which decreased markedly in quality when Hobart sold them off, the mixers appear to still be built as robustly as they were back in the Hobart days. I have a 2002 Ultra Power, and I swear you could winch a car out of a ditch with it. I routinely mix bread dough with it, and it barely breaks a sweat. I still don't think anyone makes a better one.

 

[blackstone]

Tumbler

Thanks for the information on getting the top off. I had neglected to check for any replies here for the past couple of days. I'll try removing the pin. I knew there had to be some secret that did not require brute force. Hope it works for me.

 

[blackstone]

Success

That advise was just what I needed--just enough of a clue to get me going in the right direction. I was able to take it apart without breaking or losing anything. Relatively simple job, once you know what you are doing (as is most anything else). I found the gear that had the worn-out teeth (#4 in the above diagram). Thanks again. Fred