Dometic Refrigerator door with heavy wood insert problems

This is twice now!

I had my refr door replaced under warranty when the bottom plastic molding that holds the wood insert broke out. I just found the wood panel sitting on the ledge at the bottom of the fridge. The piece that broke is a 3/4"x3/4" plastic angle that screws into the bottom of the door assembly. I'm tired of dealing with it through the dealer and Dometic. I'm going to run by Home depot and buy a piece of 3/4x3/4" aluminum angle to replace. My only fear is the screws are too weak to hold the load before tearing out. The other backup was to screw the panel into the door horizontally, but I think it's only foam.

Anybody else have a problem with the panels falling out?

jetskier,

My panels are doing fine, 5 years of pounding on the road and no complaints. The aluminum would work great if you can find some meat to screw to.

Same here, 5 years and no problems.
One of the things that really impressed me about the Wildcat was the nice raised panels in the fridge doors which are the first things you see when you open the door. Other brands just used flat plywood panels.
I hope the aluminum works out for you.

I got my piece of 3/4"x3/4"x1/16" alum angle. Looks to be strong enough from. A little fab and paint, we should be good to go. I'll report back. looks like and can screw horizontally into the foam insulation to help take the load off the new bottom angle. Just have to make sure I use a short screw and can hide it from view.

jetskier, if you can, take some before and after pics so we can see what you are doing.

thanks...

Another thought. Would a couple of dabs of construction adhesive on the back of the panel help? It might take some of the load off the bottom channel.

John

I'd hate to make it permanent considering I have already replaced the door once.

jetskier wrote:I'd hate to make it permanent considering I have already replaced the door once.

I understand now. I was just trying to think of some way to help support the panel to take some of the load off the bottom rail. Maybe something like the two sided trim tape used in auto trim. A couple of small pieces would do the trick and still be able to remove it. Just thinking out loud. Haven't had any trouble with mine.

John

AVid wrote:I understand now. I was just trying to think of some way to help support the panel to take some of the load off the bottom rail. Maybe something like the two sided trim tape used in auto trim. A couple of small pieces would do the trick and still be able to remove it. Just thinking out loud. Haven't had any trouble with mine.

No, it is a good idea, but that's the only reason not to use adhesives. The reason I replaced the door is because my son climbed on it when trying to get ice cream out of the freezer. The door already had a full load of heavy liquids on it. You add his weight of 60# at the time and it snapped the lower hinge. The hinge is integrated into the door so you have to replace the whole thing. Dometic picked it up, now I have to.

I got it repaired. The aluminum was a perfect substitution. We'll see how the plastic holds on the bottom of the door where the strip attaches. I did run a shear screw through the insert, but it's only foam.

5 years and no problems so far , take some good pics I would like to see them.