Repairing the Bottom Hinge on a GE Fridge

Remove your GE refrigerator plug from the electrical outlet to ensure there is no danger of shock while working on the bottom hinge repair. Turn off the water supply valve as well, so that no water leaks occur during the repair process.

Locate the plastic hinge caps at the front edge of the top of your refrigerator unit. These caps serve as cosmetic covers that hide the screws and hinge assemblies beneath from view. Slide the sharp edge of your flat head screwdriver under the plastic cap, and pry it away. Set the plastic cap(s) aside.

Locate the three anchor screws at the top of the hinge from which you just removed your plastic cap(s). Use a Phillips screwdriver to loosen and remove the screws. Open the refrigerator door to a 90-degree angle, and lift it up and away from the middle or bottom hinge. If you have a side-by-side GE refrigerator, you should be able to access the bottom hinge without any further steps. If you have an over-under refrigerator, you must now move your attention to the middle hinge.

Locate the middle hinge if your refrigerator has an over-under door format. Remove the two set screws and washers from the middle hinge using a 5/16-inch Allen key. Apply pressure to the top of the lower refrigerator door as you perform this task to prevent the door from falling away from the fridge. When the screws have been removed, lean the door forward and lift it off the bottom hinge. Set the door aside for clear access to the bottom hinge.

Remove the three anchor screws from the bottom hinge using the 5/16-inch Allen key. Replace the bottom hinge, and install the hinge using the 5/16-inch Allen key and the three anchor screws you removed in Step 4.

Lay the bottom end of your refrigerator door onto the bottom hinge so that the upward reaching hinge pin slides into the corresponding hole in the bottom of the door. Tilt the door into the closed position, and hold it in place. Slide the middle hinge into the top of the door, and pivot the door to a 90-degree angle. Fasten the middle hinge to the refrigerator case using the screws removed in Step 4.

Continue the process by installing the upper door and top hinge if your GE refrigerator model has one.