Norcold Fridge hinge issues

[JamieGeek]

Read here about the Norcold bottom hinge:
https://www.facebook.com/48in366/posts/1384988611534318

TL;DR version: The hinges on the Norcold refer are made of plastic and can break. You can get a refurb kit off of Amazon (for like $35) to reinforce the hinge (Just ordered one for myself).

This fridge is in our Axis (and probably all Axis/Vegas units).

[Oneilkeys]

Mine broke in my Vegas on the back roads to Alaska two years ago and I was able to fix it with Gorilla glue and small stainless screws. Since then, I only put very light stuff in the door (even in my new Axis) and I glue enough quarters under the front of the door to take the full weight and some of the up and down pressure off of the door when going over rough roads. A refurb kit is an excellent idea.
Which rebuilt kit did you purchase? I only see the hinges?

[JamieGeek]

This is the kit:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

[Oneilkeys]

Thank Jamie. I put it in my "to buy" list. I will be interested to see if you think it will fit and solve the problem when you get it. I glued mine back together again and it last for more than a year before I sold it. I think it was stronger than new. But having or being able to quickly get a replacement is a good idea.

[bevedfelker]

Guess this is a good candidate for inclusion in the next revision of my manual.

... and I suppose I ought to order the kit for my Vegas as well.

[JamieGeek]

Mr Amazon delivery man dropped of the retrofit kit just prior to me going to hug the camper today (or was I waiting..I'll never tell LOL) so I was able to install it.

It really is a simple job; if it takes you longer than 1 minute you're doing it wrong (well if you are starting with an empty refer that is--you'd want to at least take everything out of the door).

Here are the instructions (pdf scan)

Refer before installation:

Hinge before installation:

The kit just slides right on:

All done:

[bevedfelker]

Great job -- looks pretty simple. I'll use your pixs and instructions in the manual.

[Oneilkeys]

Interesting Jamie. So you just take the door off, turn it over so the bottom of the door is up and slip the piece over the hinge on the door? That hinge is what broke on my Vegas so that is a good reinforcement. I am not sure that would have fixed it, if I had one when my hinge broke, but it sure looks like a good reinforcement to help protect it from breaking. I will buy one before my next trip. Thanks for the tip.

[JamieGeek]

Originally Posted by Oneilkeys

So you just take the door off, turn it over so the bottom of the door is up and slip the piece over the hinge on the door?

Yup: just slip the piece on and reinstall the door with the piece on the bottom. Easy peasy.

Door comes off with a few turns of the flathead screw on the top hinge. My door wouldn't lift off until I had it open about 90 degrees from the fridge.

[rmblaster]

Also got my kit today easy install but I was wondering what to do with the remaining bracket hate having left over pieces looking at it looks like will fit on the top hinge but i dont know if it also needs reinforcement

[JamieGeek]

Originally Posted by rmblaster

Also got my kit today easy install but I was wondering what to do with the remaining bracket hate having left over pieces looking at it looks like will fit on the top hinge but i dont know if it also needs reinforcement

The instructions indicate that the other bracket is used for a fridge with the hinge on the other side. It does seem a waste to send both.

[rmblaster]

Originally Posted by JamieGeek

The instructions indicate that the other bracket is used for a fridge with the hinge on the other side. It does seem a waste to send both.

I just have to much free time on my hands thats what got me looking at what to do with the extra bracket it will fit the top hinge not sure if its needed I'll call norcold next week and get their opinion