How to Replace the Vertical Hinged Seal Part in a Maytag Fridge

Soak the replacement door gasket in a tub of hot water for one hour to remove the kinks and soften the gasket.

Unplug the refrigerator power cord from the wall outlet and remove everything from the door trays.

Peel the edge of the gasket away from the door to reveal a row of 1/4-inch hex-head screws securing the gasket to the door.

Remove all the screws around the edge of the door with the exception of four corner screws, using a cordless drill/driver fitted with 1/4-inch nut driver attachment. Loosen the corner screws but don’t pull them out.

Pull the gasket out from between the panel and the door all the way around the four sides, except for the corners. Insert two screws in opposite sides in the middle of the door to hold the panel in place. Remove the corner screws, pull the defective seal off and discard it.

Fit the top corners of the new gasket over the upper corners of the panel. Work the inner flap along the top edge of the gasket between the panel and the door until the bead along the inner flap fits into the matching groove on the door panel, and the screw holes in the gasket line up with the holes on the panel.

Thread the screws in along the top edge, but leave them loose at this stage. Remove the two screws on the sides of the door.

Hook the bottom corners of the gasket over the corners of the door panel. Start with the left edge and work the inner flap of the door seal into place. Insert the inner edge screws, but don’t tighten them yet.

Continue this way around the door until the bead on the inner flap of the gasket is neatly seated into the groove all the way around the panel, and the gasket sits flush against the door.

Tighten all the screws around the door, while ensuring the gasket remains flush against the door without leaving any kinks.

Replace the items removed earlier into the door trays and plug the power cord back in. Close the door and tightly secure it shut by stretching three or four strips of duct tape across the front of the door and along the side of the refrigerator. Leave the tape in place overnight to bed in the seal.