Removing/installing door catch for Whirlpool portable dryer

[MartinM]

Hello,

I have a Whirlpool portable dryer that has been in my family since 1972, when it was new. It has worked all these years without ever needing a repair, and still does.

However, what I believe is called the door catch broke the other night. This is the part that grabs the latch from the door to keep it closed. Some piece of the catch seemed to snap the other night and fell into the cabinet, though the outer plastic portion has remained in place.

I have to search around for a replacement part/prices, but for now a relative has two newer model portable Whirlpool dryers, one which isn't being used. I'd like to temporarily remove the catch from it and use it in my dryer for now (if it fits the older dryer).

What is the procedure for removing and installing the catch? I'm hoping it can be done without any disassembly of the dryer. Someone suggested I squeeze the outer part of the catch with needlenose pliers, but I'd rather get some advice from the experts here first.

Thanks in advance!

 

[MartinM]

I forgot to include the model # - LXE4900G0.

 

[goatfarmer]

It's best to get behind the "catch", and squeeze it together, to remove it from the cabinet. They can be removed, if your careful, from the front.

 

[yogitunes]

first of all welcome.....and thanks for joining our site.....

second....follow this link to ebay....and this part kit will work....easy as pie...

let us know how you make out...

from MartinM of Jersey to MartinM of Jersey

watch out world, theres two of us, in the same state.....lol

http://www.ebay.com/itm/5366021400-...401?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item58a0e40e01

 

[MartinM]

Thanks for the welcome, plus the advice and part.

That leads me to a few other questions:

What do you suggest I use to get behind the "catch", and how can I get behind it (where I should I be attacking it from)?

Is there any particular advantage to one brand of these parts over others? Are OEM ones available, and are they superior? This lasted 40 years (of regular use)!

 

[combo52]

Replacing the Female Door Catch on a WP Built Dryer

The easy and best way is to just break away what is left of the broken catch and let the piece or pieces call inside the cabinet [ or door on newer models where the female catch is on the door ] and then snap the new catch in with your thumb, the broken catch will just stay inside the cabinet or door.

 

The new catch is so inexpensive that I have never tried to remove and reuse one, I dough it makes much difference weather you get it from WP or a generic supplier, Good Luck and Welcome to AW.Org   John.

 

[akronman]

Ebay

you can find everything on Ebay

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Pack-of-3-D...858?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3383e90242

 

[mickeyd]

It was so easy

I couldn't believe it. You don't need to take the door apart, You don't even need a tool.

Had the same situation here. I did what John told me to do, and it was literally a snap!

Got the part at the local appliance shop; they had it on hand; it's common and standard.

Won't bother to wish you luck, because you won't need any.

 

[MartinM]

Great - thanks everyone!

 

[MartinM]

Hello all,

I received what looks to be three of the same catches (each bag has the same # on it) from one of the linked eBay sales above.

I easily removed the original. However, once installing one of the new ones, the door doesn't secure nearly as well as with the original, and I removed it.

I'm thinking this problem was possibly due to not using that silver metal clip (shown above) that is loose with the rest in its bag. What do I do with that extra piece?

Thanks!

 

[yogitunes]

hey, if you got both new pieces, I would switch them both out and try it....

the old remaining piece may be worn, or not up to the newer specs....

a little vaseline on the female part will help it close easier sometimes...

 

[MartinM]

I could make a joke about that, but I'll refrain.

It's the opposite problem, actually - it doesn't hold the door that tightly.

What is that metal piece for shown above - the piece on its own, not behind the plastic? How do I use it?

 

[yogitunes]

trying to keep it clean, but understandable...

that little metal thing is the male part if your will....

just a simple description, you have a female part, the outlet, and a male part, the plug...one goes into the other.....

you DO have both pieces on the dryer, don't you?.....usually the female is on the door, and the male is on the dryer.....sometimes backwards.....one snaps into the other to hold the door closed...just make sure that the two parts are lined up the same way, so that one goes into the slot correctly....

this should be a 15 second job and your done....

 

[akronman]

actually

there are 2 metal parts. One is clearly the male, fits into the plastic female. But, very important, there is the spring-clip metal part that gives all the tension on the female, nice tight fit. Look at the pics above. They often fall off in the bag, but once the 2 piece assembly is in the door, it stays on and gives the tension/tightness you are missing. So in total there are 3 parts. Metal male on the front of the machine, then plastic AND metal female portion(s) in the door.

The picture shows all.

 

[MartinM]

I didn't realize that was to replace the male part of this - I thought it had to be snapped onto the female part somewhere!

I figured since mine was still OK, I wouldn't have to change it out, and wasn't even thinking of this being a replacement. As my 4900 is an older model, the male part of this is on the door.

Thanks again!

 

[yogitunes]

their so inexpensive, and for some machines, they break quite often, but getting a package like this for that price, its worth it....

simpler too, to package both parts together, you never know which part is broken or worn out....saves time....

BTW, where are you located at in NJ?.....

 

[MartinM]

I'm in Bergen County.

 

[DADoES]

 
The various "female" clips in the package may be of different spring strengths for different doors.  If so, there should be an instruction sheet regarding which to use for what models/styles of dryers.

 

[yogitunes]

must be something in the water.....seems like all the new members are always NORTH....

I am way way way down in Cumberland County