KUCC151LSS0 KitchenAid Trash Compactor - Instructions

bought new gears, pulled it out and replaced the gears. wasn't very hard. I did expect a jenn-air to be better built (plastic gears really!) but for 30 bucks it is all better.

First off....I was surprised at how inexpensive the drive gear kit was. As others commented, they fit perfectly and I believe will fit other manufacturer's models since there is a lot of cross branding. The Drive gear replacement itself would be easy as described by others so I won't repeat that. However replacing the plastic tubular "ram stops" on the screw drive was a challenge since there are no "helpful hints" in the blog. To do that you have to work from the top and sides. Needed to remove the two gear cams where the screw drives are seated on the bottom of the unit, then (working with the unit on it's side)you have to raise the whole (heavy) plunger that is attached to the drive screws high enough to remove the old tubular ram stops and bushing and replace. To raise the plunger assembly out from the top you have to remove the sheet metal top plate of the unit....and....importantly remove the control panel on the front where the switches are. There is a limiter switch that has a metal arm which engages a plate on the plunger to stop the unit when it reaches the top. You need to remove that switch to be able to raise the plunger assembly high enough to get the new parts on the screw drive. Put all that back together and then go on to the gear replacement as described by others which was straight forward. Very messy job with all the grease and garbage residue. I am pretty handy figuring these things out, and there may be an easier way, but next time I will call a pro or replace the whole compactor.

Followed PartsSelect instructions, the Compactor was appoximately $1000. when I purchased it. The kit was $26.14. I will forever be a customer of this company. Thank you, Brian

Thanks to Parts Select and their detailed instructions it turn out great! Replacement Parts fit Great!

Laid appliance on side - removed top sheet metal cover and bottom sheet metal cover. Broken delrin ring gear was on bottom of bottom cover (housing). Gear had broken off of its hub, which also was the sprocket chain drive for both acme screws driving the compactor platten. Motor had to be loosened so that the chain could be removed from the old sprocket hub, and the new delrin ring gear - with new sprocket hub attached - could be mounted on its fixed spindle. With new delrin gear/chain sprocket mounted, the motor had to be spaced and tightened to allow 0.010 inch lash between the gears. The only instructions included with the new gear was how to do this - by placing a piece of paper in between the pinion gear on the motor, and the new ring gear, and then tightening the motor into place. This was done, the sheet metal covers were re-installed, and the compactor works just fine. There is a design flaw in the original (KitchenAid) engineering of the gear, however, and I expect that in the next four years this will probably happen again.

The online repair states the repair could be done in 10-15 minutes and actually took over an hour. It would have taken 10 minutes if I could have just purchased the metal flange that broke.

Same problem as described previously on this site. Pulled unit out and replaced the gear as described. Thanks for the info - would have been tough with out it.

Very simple, changed the gear, adjusted the drive and tested. Very straight forward.

The instructions that came with the swtich were very helpful. I would have had a more difficult time if I did not have the instructions.

Follow the included instructions carefully (read it all through first) and this was a quick and simple fix if you are reasonably handy with a screwdriver and drill. It took me about 45 mins. You have to pull the unit out from under the countertop and then remove a series of small screws in order to get behind the front panel. Putting in the new actuator switch was a little cumbersome simply because there are other wires you have to work around but it's still very straightforward. After you reinstall the front panel, you attach a new foot activated button that presses down on the new actuator switch. You have to drill 2 small holes in the front panel sheet metal to attach this new button but a perfectly sized paper template is provided and it worked great. Last easy step is to replace the rubber door sweep so that the new button can be accessed with your toe. In effect, the compactor is now operated by pressing your toe against the new button on the lower right side below the door. It is a nice improvement over the old method of lifting up on the lever that you normally step on to open the door. Easy to install.

To repair the o.e.m. actuator lever, Whirlpool supplies a redesigned actuator switch. It requires dis-assembly of the front panel which takes time since you must first remove the trash compactor from the cabinetry. Once the front panel is off and you've removed the old switch, installing the new switch requires drilling two holes. Do not use the recommended drill bit -use an oversize bit to match the core diameter of the new screws. The new switch works brilliantly if done right. It just takes time.

replaced the large gear and put it back together.

It was an updated revision part kit...and it went so smooth ....recommend that anyone looking to repair appliances utilize PartSelect....I know I will be ...Thank You