My KitchenAid Refrigerator Has a Clicking Noise in the Hinge

Getting Started

• Open the door of the fridge and locate the topmost hinge on the door – if your KitchenAid model features a top-loaded freezer, this hinge will be located at the top of the freezer door; for side-by-side models, the top hinge on both doors. Feel for a plastic cap if you can’t immediately see one. If one is present, slip the tip of a flat-head screwdriver or a butter knife under the lip of the cap and gently tug upward to pop if off and expose the hinge joint underneath.

Grease it Up

• Use a crescent wrench to loosen but not remove the holding bolt that runs through the hinge. Instead, loosen it just enough to apply a dollop of lubricating grease directly onto the exposed bolt. Fan the door in an open/close motion to work the grease downward over the bolt and then tighten the hinge but not all the way – you still want a little play in the door so you can wiggle the door up and gain access the door’s bottom hinge. For side-by-sides, work either the left or right door top hinges first before working the bottom hinges.

Work it Out

• Repeat the steps to apply grease to the bottom hinge bolt. Retighten the hinges back to the original tightness and replace the cover caps. Work the door several times to work the grease throughout the hinges. This may take a minute or so for optimal effect. If the clicking noise is gone, the problem is corrected. If not, chances are the cams are damaged and need to be replaced. To remedy, remove the cap covers and completely remove the hinge bolts with the crescent wrench.

Addressing the Cams

• Peek down into the joint and you’ll see a small circular piece. This is the cam and each hinge has one. Poke a set of needle-nosed pliers or tweezers into the hole to pull out the busted cam and then apply some lube to the new cam and manually push it back down into place. Backtrack to secure the door. If the problem wasn’t fixed, repeat to replace all the cams in all the hinges until the clicking noise is gone.