KitchenAid Mixer Repair
Paul Pennington
by replacing the fiber worm gear. The mixer just buzzed and would not
turn. I was quoted $100 to $200 dollars by the authorized repair
center, which was kind of crazy as Amazon is selling this model for
$169 including shipping, new with a one-year warranty. Total cost of
the repair turned out to be $20.
KitchenAid does not sell a repair manual, but call customer service at
1-800-541-6390 and ask them to send you the free repair parts guide.
The illustrations are helpful in visualizing what needs to be done and
learning the correct names for the parts. I ordered the part from
McNichols Electric in Detroit, 1-800-562-4226. They were helpful and
answered a quick question for me about splitting the case.
KitchenAid has been criticized for substituting the fiber gear for the
former metal one in this model, but I disagree. The $20 fiber worm
gear meshes with the end of the motor armature shaft, a $100 part.
Which part would you rather buy when the mixer jams? They SHOULD be
criticized for the secret instructions that appear in the FAQ on the
web site but not in the instruction manual that comes with the mixer:
FAQ: www.kitchenaid.com/faq/faq_standmixers.htmls
Basically, don't exceed the specified amount of flour, knead at low
speed, and knead for not longer than two minutes, allowing the mixer
to cool before the next batch.
I found the construction of the mixer to be very heavy-duty and would
expect it to outlive us if operated within these guidelines.
Instructions for disassembling KitchenAid K45SS stand mixer:
1. Power cord: Unplug from wall! Remove end cover where cord enters
back by removing one Phillips screw on top. Remove power cord push-on
connectors from motor, black and white wires plus green ground wire by
removing Phillips screw. Newer "Classic" model cord just slips out of
base when cover is removed, so it can be left connected.
2. Trim band: Remove two small Phillips screws at rear and remove
band.
3. Planetary gear: Pry off planetary drip ring around beater mount.
Remove the pin at the top of the agitator shaft where the beater
attaches. Examine both ends of the pin - one should be rounded and
the other end marred from being pounded in. Tap on the rounded end
with a 1/8" pin punch to back the pin out. Remove the planetary gear
cover - may require tapping on the shaft while pulling down on the
cover. Remove the five large slotted screws around the front of the
planetary gear, and the 4 large slotted screws from the bottom rear of
the Mixer. Leave the planetary ring gear in place.
4. Gearcase and motor housing: Remove the top part of the mixer by
pulling up. May require turning a large screwdriver in the control
lever slots to pry the case apart. The trim band will cover any
marks. Turn upside down and rest on a thick cloth. Examine the fiber
worm gear that meshes with the end of the motor armature. It will
probably be damaged.
5. Worm gear: Remove the worm gear bracket and bearing by removing
the three Phillips screws at its base. The entire assembly can be
purchased for $36. If the entire assembly is purchased, replace it
and skip to step 7.
6. (Optional): The fiber gear alone is $20, but replacing it is
difficult. Clamp the ruined gear in a vise and tap the pin out with a
pin punch. A drill bit may be sacrificed as a substitute, but use eye
protection and gloves as the drill bit will undoubtedly shatter.
Again, try to identify the rounded end and tap on it to back out the
pin. The shaft and pinion can now be removed. Note the orientation
of the fiber gear. Wipe the assembly clean of old grease and fiber
gear fragments. Reassemble using the replacement worm gear. Note
that the pin will slip in one side of the gear and shaft, but will
have to be tapped in place on the other side. Clamp the assembly in a
vise by the fin running down its back, and carefully tap the pin into
place, inserting the rounded end first. Grease all gears using the
extra grease in the gear housing, and replace the assembly.
7. Reassembly: Reverse the disassembly order. Replacement of the
planetary gear cover is a bit tricky - the shaft tends to retreat
upwards into the case. Apply pressure sideways on the shaft to hold
it steady while pressing the cover up into place. Use an awl to align
the holes for the pin to pass through. Again, note that the pin will
slide easily through one side of the cover and the shaft. Put the
rounded end of the pin into that side, and tap into place.
Paul Pennington
Augusta, Georgia
Vox Humana
"Paul Pennington" <paul...@knology.net> wrote in message
news:b23e804d.02112...@posting.google.com...
> FAQ: www.kitchenaid.com/faq/faq_standmixers.htmls
>
> Basically, don't exceed the specified amount of flour, knead at low
> speed, and knead for not longer than two minutes, allowing the mixer
> to cool before the next batch.
The instructions for my K5 mixer say to knead on speed 2 for three to five
minutes. That is barely adequate. I guess that as the machines were
"improved" you can only use them for two minutes without having a problem.
S Viemeister
>
> I recently made a successful home repair on our KitchenAid K45SS mixer
> by replacing the fiber worm gear. The mixer just buzzed and would not
> turn. I was quoted $100 to $200 dollars by the authorized repair
> center, which was kind of crazy as Amazon is selling this model for
> $169 including shipping, new with a one-year warranty. Total cost of
> the repair turned out to be $20.
>
Thank you! Printed and filed for future use.
H. W. Hans Kuntze
> KitchenAid has been criticized for substituting the fiber gear for the
> former metal one in this model, but I disagree. The $20 fiber worm
> gear meshes with the end of the motor armature shaft, a $100 part.
Well, how about using heavy duty bronze gears and a shear pin?
Of course that would be a little much to ask, people want cheap stuff.
> Basically, don't exceed the specified amount of flour, knead at low
> speed, and knead for not longer than two minutes, allowing the mixer
> to cool before the next batch.
>
> I found the construction of the mixer to be very heavy-duty and would
> expect it to outlive us if operated within these guidelines.
Of course.;-) Imagine, if you never plug it in it might last forever,
however long that might be..
2 minutes mixing time? If I make a commercial wonderbread type yeast dough
that needs to be mixed for 20 minutes, let it cool off for 8 minutes each
runtime, the whole batch will take a total of 1 3/4 hours. By that time
the yeast has given up. I would have given up long before the yeast, but
not before throwing that thing as far as I could.
My 18 year old K 55 SS runs 20 minutes with double that amount of flour
made into a stiff dough, no whining either.
If it ever gets too hot (not yet, only warm), I can feel it and turn it
off.
I have never even seen the inside of the machine and when I bake, I make 6
loaves (24 oz each) at a time. Although I don't ever do 50% hydration
doughs anymore.
I think it might outlast me.
That is what I call a mixer and Kitchenaid could still build it if they
wanted to.
But no, that would mean no other mixer sale to the same customer!
They only think as far as my dog poops, because they don't consider all
the other machines they could sell that satisfied customer.
And the prevailing thinking is, stack em high and sell em cheap.
Now they have to fight the diminishing reputation, people that bitch about
the mixer breaking down, etc. with a 1 year full replacement warranty. The
slippery slope of mediocracy. Some other company, sooner or later, will
have easy pickings.
Plus, their service will go broke because people will replace it cheaper
than it can be repaired.
Oh well, another Great American Brand, headed for the trash-heap of
culinary history.
On a positive note, your instructions were great.
--
Gruesse.
C=¦-)§ H. W. Hans Kuntze, CMC, S.g.K. (_o_)
" Die einfachsten Dinge sind sehr kompliziert " Morgenroete
http://www.cmcchef.com And zen ve vil tak over ze vorld! ;-)
_/ _/ _/ _/ _/ _/ _/ _/ _/ _/ _/ _/ _/ _/ _/ _/ _/ _/ _/ _/
Hugh Watkins
McNichols Electric too (19.95 and that includes shipping).
I have to ay that the design seems flawed for this to break that
easily. The kitchen Aid attachment cover came loose from the front
and fell into the bowl as she was mixing and that was it. My $40
dollar cordless drill has a clutch that will cause it to disengage
from the motor if it sticks seems like that would be a good design
here too.
Thanks for the post though, I never would have gotten the thing apart
with out them.
Hugh
paul...@knology.net (Paul Pennington) wrote in message news:<b23e804d.02112...@posting.google.com>...
min...@minn.net
20 year old Hobart era mixer. We'll see how well the fiber gear holds
out. Ordered a backup "pro" model Kitchenaid from Costco in the hope
that it is a bit more sturdy than the smaller consumer models. It's a
hassle to have to sort through all of this just to try and get a
reliable mixer like they used to make.