KUCS03CTWH2 KitchenAid Trash Compactor - Instructions

The plastic drive gear broke and the unit was locked in the down position. The repair kit contained all of the parts required to fix the problem plus other replacement parts for the gear drive unit. It was very easy (about 20 min.) to replace the gear and other parts. The unit works fine now.

Like others who experienced this problem, I removed compactor from under the counter and laid it on its side. I removed the screws holding the cover plates to the motor and gear/chain box. The larger (4" +/-) plastic drive gear which moves the chain that lowers or raises the compactor ram was broke. Using a socket and ratchet, I turned the shaft the gear was attached to in a counterclockwise direction and moved the compacting ram from the bottom position to the top so I could finally open the door, It takes a lot of turns to move the compacting ram to the top so be patient. I then loosened the bolts, in the base, that holds the motor secure and slid the base toward the broken gear putting slack in the chain. I removed the split ring from the shaft and removed the sprocket which originally is part of the gear but was left on the shaft when the gear broke in three places. I elected to not remove the original washer and spacer and put the new gear with sprocket on the shaft, put the chain on the socket and installed the split ring. Slid the motor base back to original position putting slight tension on chain and a proper clearance between the gear and drive shaft (sheet of paper seperation). Reinstalled the covers, tested and was finished.

Unplugged trash compactor and removed from undercounter. Took cover off and removed broken plastic gear. Replaced with new gear and put cover back on

Compactor ram would go to bottom but not return back up after compaction. Keep running until unplugged. After unplugging flipped unit on its side and remover bottom plate (5) nut screws, exposing gears. Found that the main large gear had fine crack which caused it to spin loosely. Ordered gear assembly and lossened four mount screw on motor to move it forward and give slack on chain. Hint: Loosen motor mount bolts, DO NOT REMOVE bolts COMPLETELY! Removed broken plastic gear and reassembled with new. Held/ pushed motor back to retention chain and secured four (4) mount bolts Then reassembled bottom plate with screw nuts and it worked perfectly!!

Unscrew the bottom, pull out the chain, replace the gear.

Removed two screws on the front panel cover and lifted off the cover , removed two small screws on the switch bracket, you need a short nut driver, removed the spade clipped wires from the old switch and replaced them on the new part and thats all there was to it.

Simply removed the two plastic gears (held on by some sort of clip), put the new gears in place using the spacing instructions that were provided in the kit ....... and it is working!

The repair was easy, just wish I hadn't waited so long to decide to fix it!

replaced switch and fixed the problem. Still had one more problem after that though, but got that figured out and fixed that to.

I broke the directional switch trying to replace the power nuts..duh huh... ordered a new switch, took off the front panel ( 4 screws) replaced the switch (2 bolts) be careful not to lose the small threaded plate used instead of nuts to secure the switch.. and now it works like new again....partselect is a great resource for the diyer

I have always used compactor bags made of paper & plastic. I was sent bags made of only plastic. I called and was told that is the only kind available. I am concerned that the plastic bags may not be strong enough.

I quest I will have to try these all plastic bags. I hope they are strong enough and work properly.

-Removed the forward sliding rail screws...lifted the rails up several inches to access the wheel assembly...bent back the steel tab to access the nuts holding the wheels to the frame...replaced the wheels and bent back the steel tabs to original position. Trash bin now rolls out completely as before

Removed 4 screws and the foot release to attach the new guard. Replaced the foot pedal and 4 screws and was done.

changed out the switch and that fixed the problem

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!