Norcold Fridge Hinge Parts - Availability Issue?

[DunnYet]

Well - it finally happened to us. We broke the hinge on the Norcold Fridge in Reset (Hull # 1030 LE I). Easy fix right? It is if you can source the parts.

For reference, the parts are 

Left Hand Hinge - Norcold 619042

Right Hand Hinge - Norcold 619041

Unfortunately, I have only found a source for the Right Hand Hinge. The Left Hand Hinge seems to be very elusive. Have a service ticket in with Oliver to see if they have a source, as well as a request in directly to Norcold.

Does anyone have a favorite source for Norcold parts that you could share? Or a spare hinge that I could purchase from you? 🙂

[SeaDawg]

https://rvfridgeguys.com/norcold-evaporator-door-spring-holder-w-spring-619042-fits-left-hand-side/

Most people show it out of stock. I've purchased from rvipgrades before. Not rvfridheguys. But both show it still in stock. Good luck.

 

Edited July 21 by SeaDawg

[Snackchaser]

Oh boy, another one bites the dust!  Those little notched pins for the freezer door hinge broke off on ours too, and now the door won’t stay closed or seal.  I searched the net for new parts and nobody had the left spring holder assembly.  But while searching, this post popped up and I found out Im not alone!  Apparently Norcold is out of business and these parts are no longer available.

So short of replacing the whole fridge, I figured out a way to repair them.  I cut out pieces from 1” x 1/16” brass bar to “sister” onto the broken spring holder assemblies.  Holes were drilled for a 3/16” brass pin and 1/16” rivets.  I filed notch’s on the brass rod to match the original pins and soldered them into place with plumbers flux and solder.  I trimmed the excess, and filed it flat. The new brass piece was riveted onto the hinge with 1/16” diameter x 1/4” flat head brass rivets.  Fortunately I had all the brass and rivets in my stash, but most hardware stores carry this stuff.

It was a little tricky to install the hinges with enough spring preload, probably because the repaired hinges were stiffer and wider than the originals.  Here’s what worked for me:

1. Put the repaired right spring holder assembly in it’s final position on the fridge wall.
2. Remove the right door mount clip from the door.
3. Install the left spring holder assembly onto the door mount clip so it has spring pre-load.
4. Mount left side door with spring holder/clip assembly onto fridge while maintaining spring pre-load.
5. While holding door in place, use left door clip to wind some pre-load and screw it on the door.

Hope this saves someone a new fridge!

Cheers, Geoff

[Ronbrink]

My temporary fix is working well enough and may tweak a bit for a more permanent solution, since parts are not readily available.

[topgun2]

Might something like THIS work for keeping that door closed?

Bill

p.s.  "invention is the mother of necessity" and I really like your work.

[Snackchaser]

Hurray!  Dometic freezer hinges work in the Norcold!

Although I repaired my old broken Norcold hinges, I had also ordered a replacement right-hand hinge while they were still available.  It was then I noticed that Dometic freezer hinges looked very similar.  The major dimensions were the same, only the spring barrel was shorter, so I ordered a left one from a family owned Oregon company called iFiXiFi, and it works perfectly.  It's so nice to have that door snap firmly closed again!

There are actually several aftermarket Dometic hinges on Amazon, but the iFiXiFi brand seemed better and they also have Youtube videos that cover the design and quality of their parts and installation methods.   It was about $35 for the Left hinge including the shorter spring and hinge pin. 

You may notice from the photos that the Dometic style hinge does not have the "90 degree open stop" as does the Norcold.  This is to prevent the main door from bending the freezer door past 90 degrees to the point where it could break.  The Dometic refrigerators have stops moulded into the frame for this purpose.   You can retain this feature by using a Norcold right hinge, which are still available, with the Dometic left hinge.  Otherwise just be mindful of it.

Amazon  https://a.co/d/fftOAMe

IFiXiFi installation videos:  

https://youtu.be/fXQCQgKwjGo?si=ES5rrbr0vK1UJB2N

I also recommend this video, it was the method I used.

https://youtu.be/8Ae0ncOSu9U?si=wBuMTqLK6erE5Jqi

I should mention that AliExpress also carries a Dometic hinge kit that comes with the left and right hinges including springs and pins for $29, but I can’t vouch for the quality.

Cheers!  Geoff