6657496001 Kenmore Trash Compactor - Instructions

I held up on the compactor ram as i loosened the two screws on each of the two retaining cups. I then unscrewed the threaded bushings and lifted the ram out of the unit. I then cleaned the surface of the tracks on which the ram guides up and down and applied a thin layer of silicone grease to those surfaces as well as the threaded rods. . I placed the ram back into the unit and held it in place as i replaced the threaded bushings and their respective caps. Unfortunately i neglected to move the limiting switch that stops the ram when it reaches the top of the cycle and I broke the lever that contacts the ram and subsequently activates the stop switch. so i removed the ram and removed and inspected the switch. It was broken beyond repair so i ordered a new switch from the same place I purchased the threaded bushings and am waiting for them to arrive. Lesson learned, pay attention to the sequence by which the original parts are removed and understand how the system functions so that you can remember to put it back in the right order.

layed it in the kictuchen floor took of bottom and changed the gears that's all there was to it piece of cake

Removed 2 screws, pulled out old handle, inserted new drawer handle and replaced the 2 screws.

The drawer handle that was delivered was black and not brown. Black was the preferred color because the old handle was black.

First thing I did was put the unit on its side and removed the bottom to access the broken plastic gear that moves the chain that drives the compactor up and down...There I was able to manually move the chain by turning the nut with pliers and moving the piston up (painfully slow) until I could at least use the bin for trash while I waited for the replacement part to arrive. Once I had the part I loosened the four bolts that allowed the drive gear to move a little and slacken the chain - I then put in the new gear - make sure you have the proper spacing and washers - my replacement kit didn't have any washers so I resused the old washers and all seems to be working well!

pulled it out, turned it upside down, and removed the gear, then replaced it, turned it back up and pushed it back it worked.

As per directions

Bought wrong roller. The drawer roller is different than the stationary rollers. Note the difference.

I followed the you tube video instructions provided by customer care. This involved pulling the unit free from the cabinet, removing several screws that held the housing in place, this gave access to the wheel assembly, then I removed the nuts that held the wheel assembly in place. Fitting the new wheel assemblies was easy as was replacing the housing screws. After reinserting the draw and pushing the unit back into the cabinet it worked like new

REMOVE COMPACTOR DRAWER
REMOVE SCREWS ON FACE PLATE
REMOVE SCREW NUTS ON PART (SOCKET)
SAVE HOLDING PLATE WITH SCREW NUTS
TAKE PICTURE OF WIRE CONECTIONS (IN CASE OF POOR RECALL
USE PLYERS TO PULL CONECTOR OFF OLD SWITCH
REVERS INSTALL
TOTAL 25 MINUTES

Put the parts in and reinstalled it back in it place

Move the unit out of the cabinet, and take off the top cover.The two drive screws are easy to see. unscrew the two screws of one of the power nut covers and remove that cover. With pliers, unscrew the plastic power nut from that screw. Screw on the replacement power nut with the help of pliers and some heavy grease. install the bearing cap. Use the same procedure for replacing the plastic power nut on the other screw. To make sure the piston is level, place the cover on the power screw but do not attach it. Measure from the end of the screw to the top of the cover of the first screw, then adjust the second power nut up or down so the two power screw nut covers are the same distance down from the top of the it's power screw Lift up the piton assembly to close the gap, if any (I used a short piece of rope) , and install the screws on the second power bearing cap. After installation. recheck the distance from the top of the power screws to the power bearing caps is close to the same distance so the piston will be level.. This same procedure could be followed for other brands. Power of the appliance and verify functionality, if OK replace the top cover and push unit back into the cabinet..

Once I discovered that the ram was down, I had to determine why. Opened up the bottom and discoverer the drive gear was broken. Ordered the parts kit and made the repair. Did not know what the other parts in the kit were for, but it works.

The plastic power nut had stripped out on my 12 year old trash compactor. Ordered 2 new ones from Partselect and installed them. Now it works like new again.

Only needed a flat blade screwdriver and a socket set to remove the top and the "cages" that held the power nuts. Failed to properly restrain the ram but didn't effect the repair. Installed the new power nuts outside of the unit then placed the ram assembly on the worm screws and all was well. Applied grease to the worm screws after assembly.

With nothing in the KitchenAid Instructions nor anything on the internet… I had to go it alone.
Actually quite simple… I laid the unit over on its front and removed the 5 screws holding on the bottom plate. This exposed the motor and drive train which turns the two compacting screws on each side. The main drive gear was broken.
Taking a wrench to the main drive… I was able to free up the jam… a piece of glass from a broken bottle.

I went to the internet and did a search on KitchenAid Trash Compactor Parts and discovered PartSelect.com… They had me enter the Model Number of my unit and a parts diagram and list came up… I found the gear I needed… ordered it and in two days it was here. Instructions came with the gear on replacement and in no time I was back in business.

I was impressed with the simplicity of KitchenAid’s Compactor, and the ease in which I was able to get my part from PartSelect.com!