[StumpedTechy]

I have a side by side, water/ice despenser in the freezer door, refirdgerator-freezer. In the refridgerator side all shelves lay as they should. In the freezer side however the top shelf is snug but as it goes down to the middle the plastic sides bow out and the shelf falls out off the molded plastic guide rails (all of the rails and sides are one SINGLE sheet of plastic there is no scerwed in rails or anything). Finally further down the unit the molded plastic then goes back to normal.

The shelves will NOT bend (at least that I can do without ruining the plastic covering the metal inside) and I even had them send me a replacement shelf because I thought it was somehow the shelf that got warped until that too fell and I looked closely to notice the sides were bowed slightly.

Parts are still covered but onsite work isn't covered 1) is there an easy fix 2) why owuld the sides start bowing like that is this a sign of a bigger problem? 3) Why isn't the refidgerator side having the same problem?

I won't have the make and model until I get home but another question on this forum sparked my problem and got me thinking this should be easily fixed.

[imidiot]

it could be a manufacturers defect. still covered by warranty? take it back and get a replacement.

[kiwiguy]

The interior panels are usually moulded ABS, and it is cocerning that they would bow in that manner. You could perhaps understand them bowing inwards, but not outwards.

In behind them I would expect solid foam insulation, so the fact that strikes me is that in order for them to bow in that manner suggests nothing is behind them, when it should be?

Freezers need good insulation for obvios reasons, so I wonder if it is indeed a sign that the insulation is not where it should be and that has allowed the distortion.

[StumpedTechy]

Would this be considerd a parts only fix if its the foam? Of not I doubt its covered its at the end of the 5 year warranty and at 4 years it went to parts only warranty.

Can you access the foam from the back of the refridgerator at all? Could I perhaps try some spray expanding foam in that area? a few minmial squirts to reshape it?

[imidiot]

i would not consider 'foam' to be a replacement part. maybe someone was sleeping when they were putting that one together. never hurts to ask.

to get to the foam. you may have to take more apart then you want. years ago i worked at a frigidaire plant. from what i remember. the foam is installed before the top, sides and back are put on.

the back would have to come off first. the top and sides is " one unit" . would take 2 people to remove that. more trouble then what it is worth.

not sure of your make or model. but if you attempt it. flip it on its side. you have screws in the bottom holding the 'outside' cover on.

spray foam.....up to you. but unless you were sure that was the problem. and you could clearly see what you were doing. i would not attempt it. as you cant be sure it is going to the right place. and it may cause more problems then just a loose shelf.

[kiwiguy]

Simply put, I think this is a sign of a bigger problem and would be communicating with the agents or manufacturer before going further. Anything you do yourself will likely void the remaining warranty.

[kiwiguy]

Another thought - take a digital picture of the problem and email to the maker.
That should get their attention

[Tapeuup]

peel back the gasket and there should be some screws that holds the liner to the door, get the maker to send the liner to you, remove all the screws all the way around the gasket and the liner will fall out. Replace the liner then reverse the steps.

[Tapeuup]

post the model number, there is a tag on the refrigerator side either inside rt or inside top of the liner.

[kiwiguy]

Tapeup, I concluded that the problem is in the freezer cabinet itself, not the door from reading the post.

The cabinet ABS liner (inside the freezer compartment) is often foamed into place in many models and not easily removeable as the door liner is?

[Tapeuup]

gotcha Kiwi, Your correct! I've seen this problem in frigidaire units, The repair I have done is install a shim behind the shelf bracket to bring it inward. On GE models it was the door liner of the freezer. Waiting to see who the maker is. If it's a Kenmore (Sears) the first 3 numbers will tell you the maker. 253 is Frigidaire 106 is Whirlpool etc