Early Model Microwave Help

[Mike and Carol]

While cleaning up from our Bluegrass Festival trip this weekend Carol noticed the microwave not fully seated.  I checked and it is held in by four screws (I thought), one on each corner.  Both screws on the top had broken the plastic in the MW frame and the two bottom screws were both broken.  I backed the bottom ones out leaving the front half of the screw in the trailer.  With all the screws out I attempted to either pull the frame off, which didn’t work and then just tried to slide the entire MW out.  It is being held in place somewhere in the back, the front will move around but the back is locked in and I can’t see any fasteners.

I know some of these have fallen out and others have removed and replaced them.  Can someone shed some light on what holds them in beside the four screws on the frame?

This one:

[johnwen]

Mike,

Ours had 2 screws, 1 each side, just behind the lower faceplate...accessible only after sliding the cabinet out a little.  Hope the festival was a good time!

John 

[jd1923]

5 hours ago, Mike and Carol said:

Can someone shed some light on what holds them in beside the four screws on the frame?

Mike, given our hull numbers and the fact that I removed our microwave this summer and still have it, I'm your guy. Also, we had the exact same model.

If your goal is only to secure the microwave vs. removing it, likely you can leave the bezel as-is. If it needs major surgery, the bezel is held by four (4) screws. See the first picture, all 4 corners are the same. The two screws in the bottom corners are not easy to remove. Pull the countertop first to give more room and not to damage it and you will likely need a right-angle Phillips to access these. I have one that drives off a 1/4" impact that worked well.

Honestly, I could not believe this installation. More of a backyard mechanic rig vs. a factory installation. Empty the cabinet above, pull the rubber lining and you should find 3 screws (see three holes in the metal plate, second picture).

It's likely these have loosened. If so, remove the loosest screw, keeping the others in place and work to replace one at a time. However, they may all be gone. If you're lucky you could install screws of same length, one size up or finer threads to hold. If they are all disconnected, you will need a long thin punch or a nail to something to realign the holes.

My guess is the top mount is the issue and remember to check this before messing with the bezel. I supplied two more pics so you can see the other sides. I don't remember any other screws holding it in place. The sheet metal in the rear just rests against the curved cabinet. Note the wood strip along the bottom-front which is designed to keep the microwave from sliding front to back. This should get you started, and you'll likely get it secured quickly. Best wishes, JD

[topgun2]

Good pics from jd1923!

Here are a couple more that show the microwave without the "brace" on top.

In the case of my microwave - the top brace was never installed during manufacturer such that the only thing holding it in the cabinet was the trim frame.  Obviously the trim frame didn't hold it in place very long and with the help (via phone) I added the top brace.

Unfortunately, even the top brace didn't hold the microwave securely - perhaps it is all those dirt roads I travel looking for trout that combine to shake it loose.  The oven bounced around in there such that the "feet" on the bottom actually eventually broke off!  In any case, as long as you have things apart I would highly recommend that you add additional bracing between the cabinet and the microwave such that the oven is basically wedged into the space and does not move with or without the brace.  I simply used scrap pieces of wood for this purpose.

Bill  

[Mike and Carol]

JD and Bill, thanks!  That’s what I needed.  As I mentioned the four screws around the frame aren’t doing anything anymore, the two bottom screws are broken and the frame is broken in each corner of the top screws.  The MW is a little loose so I imagine the fasteners in the overhead are not tight.  I’ll work on it next week as we pack up for the rally at Inks Lake.  I’m tempted to just replace the whole thing with something else.  Mike

[jd1923]

17 hours ago, Mike and Carol said:

With all the screws out I attempted to either pull the frame off, which didn’t work and then just tried to slide the entire MW out.

Sorry Mike, late last night I did not read carefully and focused on the later sentence re the microwave itself.

I'm sure you noticed Bill's second picture to see how the frame is attached to the microwave. When the top mounting screws are removed you can pull the MW out enough to remove these. I forgot about these mounting tabs because when replaced our MW with the Emeril Air Fryer I cut off these tabs as they would have had issue with the heat of the oven.

Given the top mounting screws are in place, remove them to slide the MW out a few inches to access the side screws. It appears you will have to remove the frame and epoxy it, do whatever so that the 4 corner screws will hold again. I don't imagine OTT still has this part but maybe.

Ever had the thought to upgrade to a convention oven or something else, this would be a good time! Convection Oven Upgrade? No let's just replace the MW with an Air Fryer! - Ollie Modifications - Oliver Owner Forums (olivertraveltrailers.com)

Bill wrote his was not top mounted OMG, though I do see two holes in his picture vs. the 3 screw holes in ours. Also, unless he removed it no wood piece along the bottom front. If yours has no wood along the bottom, maybe add one as the front of the MW sliding is what likely damaged your frame. Let us know how yours is alike or different! If you need any parts off my MW let me know and I'll bring them to the Texas Rally. Best wishes for a quick repair and see you in a couple weeks!

Edited October 8 by jd1923

[topgun2]

1 hour ago, jd1923 said:

I don't imagine OTT still has this part but maybe.

Nope - neither Oliver nor the MW Manufacturer has it.  My frame was/is cracked like Mikes.  Once I got the MW secure inside the cabinet then I drilled two new holes in the face of the frame (midway down on each side), put a long stainless steel screw into the wood behind it and used black decorative caps on the screw heads in order to make it look a bit nicer.

1 hour ago, jd1923 said:

Bill wrote his was not top mounted OMG, though I do see two holes in his picture vs. the 3 screw holes in ours.

Yep - I drilled those two holes as per the instructions from Oliver Service.  Not sure why you have three versus my two and I didn't even think to add a third.  I don't remember how many pieces of wood I put into the space to secure the MW but I did make sure that the final pieces I put in needed to be "tapped" into place for a tight fit.

Bill

[Mike and Carol]

JD, Bill, I’m going to pull it out next week and decide whether to keep it or not.  Thanks for the info!  Mike

[SeaDawg]

That said, our 2008 elite microwave had threaded rod holding it in place.

We actually love having additional storage/little pantry, vs microwave,  after we removed our ded microwave. 

Good luck with your decision.