TU8150XTP0 Whirlpool Trash Compactor - Instructions

Removed panel and replaced it...

I took the hex screws out with a nut driver and then punched out the role pin in the pinion gear (the little gear) and replaced it along with the large gear, less than 15 minutes. I was surprised how fast (day and a half) the parts were here.

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.

Took out old gears replaced with new very easy with your dirictions.

replaced the large gear and put it back together.

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.

refloored the floor and so the unit would not come out. had to cut tile, broke edge off of formica counter but once the unit was out a piece of cake. 6 self tapping screws removed , right on the top, two screws holding the cover for the power nuts, replaced broken nut, leveled ram, replaced nuts and ready to slide back in. After thought, I had one nut on hand from a few years earlier. I ordered two new nuts and now i am going to pull the unit again and replace both nuts. thought being a longer period before having to do this again. The unit was put in in 1981 and used continuously.

Used visuals from partselect web site to dismantle the trash compactor , remove broken power nut , order new nuts. Only took a few days to receive new nuts. Replaced nuts , put back together and now works fine.

Ordered three parts, however if I had read your repair page more thoroughly I could have avoided buying the top of cycle off switch. Oh well... This thirty year old trash compactor is back in business running like a new one. My one recommendation? READ YOUR FAQ PAGE. It will save you money.dan

Ordered part and received it in two days. Unplugged the compactor from wall outlet. Removed two screws holding control panel in place, marked proper wire location on rear of panel, disconnected push-on terminations from start/run switch. Removed knurled nut holding start/run switch onto the control panel and substituted the new switch. Reassenbled everything in reverse order to disassembly and plugged power cord back into the wall outlet. No further work required.

I removed the unit from under the kitchen counter by first pulling the trash drawer all the way out and lifting it out of the track and setting it out on the floor. I then slowly pulled the compacting unit out and unplugged the cord from the electrical outlet. With the entire unit out in the floor I took a nut driver and removed the screws from the top plate and the screws from both sides at the bottom of the front housing. This allowed access to the directional switch. Two screws on the right side of the switch have to be removed to remove the switch along with two holding plates on the left side of the switch. The switch can then be accesses for removal. Several wires are attached to the switch and should be removed one at a time and installed to the identical identical location on the new switch. The new switch can then be installed by aligning the holes and reinstalling the holding plates. When this is done the front frame and top plate can be replaced with the nut screws. Plug back into the electrical outlet and see if it works. In this case it did exactly what it was doing before I started. So either I did not reinstall the directional switch properly or I am in the one percent rather than the 99 percent that should successfully solve the problem as suggested in the trouble shooting guide. I will now recheck the installation of the directional switch nd then check the bottom of the unit to see if the gears or chain drive are broken .