Bosch integrated microwave door hinge issue
Bosch integrated microwave door hinge issue
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Discussion

595Heaven

Original Poster:

3,251 posts

106 months

Wednesday 18th March
quotequote all
The door on our microwave has been more and more difficult to close tight enought for the safety interlock to allow the microwave to run.

I suspected the springs on the door hinges has stretched, so spent £42 on a pair of them. Just taken one side of the microwave to bits to fit them and the old spring are fine. The issue is that a nylon guide wheel for the hinge has developed a flat spot just through wear and tear. Once the wheel has turned to the flat spot, the hinge slides doesn't move any further without a shove. I'm assuming both sides will have the same issue.

This is the part with the nylon wheel on:



These are £26 and £36 each! Not sure why the different prices for LH / RH
https://www.bosch-home.co.uk/en/product/00436537
https://www.bosch-home.co.uk/en/product/00436538

Before I spend even more, anyone got any bright ideas how I might fix them? Or a cheaper source for the parts?

Simpo Two

92,425 posts

293 months

Wednesday 18th March
quotequote all
Put it on a lathe and turn the flat spot off?

Except that if you don't have a lathe or a friend with one, a new microwave would be cheaper spin

JoshSm

4,571 posts

65 months

Wednesday 18th March
quotequote all
Can you get the wheels off? It's not impossible to get a new one turned on a lathe (reshaping the existing would probably make it too small) but 3d printing might be easier.

I'd also try to work out why they wore flat & make sure that can't happen again, maybe needs better lubrication.


595Heaven

Original Poster:

3,251 posts

106 months

Wednesday 18th March
quotequote all
No lathe / 3D printer owning friends, and the wheel itself looks lie it is riveted on to the bracket.

The microwave must be 14-15 years old now, so I think it is just worn out. There was a little bit of white lithium grease on it, but not very much.

Going to order the parts. In total I'll have spent about £100, and a new one with a drop down door (albeit 900W instead of 1000W like this one) is £699

Edited by 595Heaven on Wednesday 18th March 22:11

JoshSm

4,571 posts

65 months

Wednesday 18th March
quotequote all
At least you can get the parts, and get them direct too.

Not exactly cheap but a fraction of the alternative.

595Heaven

Original Poster:

3,251 posts

106 months

Thursday 19th March
quotequote all
JoshSm said:
At least you can get the parts, and get them direct too.

Not exactly cheap but a fraction of the alternative.
Yep. Nothing else wrong with it so seems worthwhile to keep it going!

archie456

516 posts

250 months

Thursday 19th March
quotequote all
595Heaven said:
JoshSm said:
At least you can get the parts, and get them direct too.

Not exactly cheap but a fraction of the alternative.
Yep. Nothing else wrong with it so seems worthwhile to keep it going!
Indeed, I've got a Bosch integrated that's nearly 20 years old and I've repaired it 3 times so far.

OIC

446 posts

21 months

Thursday 19th March
quotequote all
Personally I wouldn't mess about with the door closing mechanism on a microwave.

Eyes and kidneys fry very easily on minimal exposure to microwaves.

Just buy a new one you tight git.

Or file the flat wheel slightly using the wife's nail file.

Diving loop approach to get a round finish.

You can buy microwave leak detection blocks.

I've never found a microwave that doesn't leak a bit at 180 degrees to the door seals.

I'd hate to see just how much radiation gets out after someone's messed around with the hinges.

595Heaven

Original Poster:

3,251 posts

106 months

Thursday 19th March
quotequote all
OIC said:
Personally I wouldn't mess about with the door closing mechanism on a microwave.

Eyes and kidneys fry very easily on minimal exposure to microwaves.

Just buy a new one you tight git.

Or file the flat wheel slightly using the wife's nail file.

Diving loop approach to get a round finish.

You can buy microwave leak detection blocks.

I've never found a microwave that doesn't leak a bit at 180 degrees to the door seals.

I'd hate to see just how much radiation gets out after someone's messed around with the hinges.
The door interlock switches work fine

595Heaven

Original Poster:

3,251 posts

106 months

Monday 23rd March
quotequote all
The Hinge guides arrived today. Fitted and now the door latches perfectly again. Marvellous, although porridge made on the hob has been lovely…