Repair tips for a freezer shelf runner?

timmypete on 28/09/2022 - 18:07

Hi Ozbargain

One of the freezer drawer runners in our seven-ish year old LG fridge/freezer is stuffed, and I'm keen for the hivemind's tips, tricks and suggestions. An image of the damage and an intact rail is here (MS Paint drawing tbc) and as you'll see it's moulded into the foam sides of the freezer rather than being a replaceable part. Some of my thoughts on possible fixes are below:

  • Sugru patch: this seems to be the most promising lead, per this Guardian article, but I'm keen to test if anyone has some real world experience with using it in really cold temps. I have used in other scenarios and worry that it will be too frictious to allow for the shelves to slide easily. Nonetheless, it is currently the most promising lead I have, followed by JB Weld.
  • Another epoxy or filler to seal the gap: I have no idea how longlasting a fix would be, nor if there's anything foodsafe/able to set at -18c/suitable for this use case. Ozbargain seems like the place where people would have knowledge I lack on other valid options.
  • Retrofit a flat bar of aluminium, or similar: This seems to be the avenue that an eight year old Reddit thread was taking for an identical issue but nil updates on how it went. This could probably be combined with Sugru, but again the hivemind's views on what exact product - eg flat bar/L brackets/something else would be greatly appreciated.
  • Call a repairer: always an option, but I wonder if any of the solutions they have will be better than DIY or worth the added expense. Conceivably they might be able to replace the entire inner lining, but would involve a fair bit of effort emptying the freezer (or whole unit) and potentially taking it offsite.
  • New fridge: always an option and the missus's preference, but seems costly and a lot of effort relative to the problem.

None seem like excellent options, but I'm sure they could work in a pinch. Before I do anything lasting, figured I'd check here first, as I'm sure there are other avenues I haven't thought of. Happy to clarify anything and thanks in advance!

Home & Garden

Comments

  • cookie2 on 28/09/2022 - 18:11
    +1

    Worth calling LG and asking for assistance? That doesn't seem like a part that should break in a fridge. Design fault? It's not like it's a shelf or handle. It's a pretty major part of the fridge as it's part of the main body and I'm assuming it makes the freezer unusable.

    • timmypete on 28/09/2022 - 18:14
      +1

      I am meaning to dig up receipts and check the warranty period but suspect I'm out of time (I think it's five years, plus ten for the compressor). I also suspect they'll say we overloaded it, but I agree its a design oversight.

      Worth a call regardless, and thanks for the suggestion!

  • Euphemistic on 28/09/2022 - 19:31
    +1

    My guess is pretty much any glue/epoxy won’t stick to it. I’d be most inclined to use a physical connection, screw, rivet etc.

    Plastic welding may work, but won’t be easy in a freezer or with thin plastic.

    • timmypete on 29/09/2022 - 09:56

      I'm worried you might be right. Am planning tonight to try see if there's an easy way to not-too-destructively search for any structure behind that would take a screw.

    • timmypete on 10/10/2022 - 18:37

      No obvious locations for a physical connection. Am hoping current attempt works, and if not will cut our more foam to try find a mounting spot.

  • timmypete on 10/10/2022 - 18:36

    Progress update: I've done a first crack at repairs and need to wait a week or so to tell if they've worked.

    • I emptied the freezer contents into an esky and took out the three storage bins and cleaned up a bit.
    • I removed as much loose foam as possible, but kept the flimsy plastic outer where intact.
    • Have stuffed the gaps with eight packs of Sugru (probably needed 10+ packs) to replace the removed/previously lost foam, and where possible placed the plastic back in place
    • I fashioned an L-shaped sliding surface from some leftover plastic conduit/ducting (like this) with some side cutters. The hope is that it gives a consistent surface for the base of the drawer to slide across. Taped in place for now while the Sugru cures and I might need to glue or screw it in more permanently
    • Put contents back in freezer, using 2/3 of the shelves (ie. damaged runner remains unloaded).

    I suspect this'll take at least a week to cure. If it looks promising I will reinstall the drawer and test with a weighted load.

  • timmypete on 03/01/2023 - 14:16

    Update:

    • the Sugru took more than a month (possibly two) to set solid, but did eventually.
    • I couldn't get my L-shaped sliding surface made from conduit to adhere. I tried an all weather double sided tape but the glue won't hold.
    • Options are to screw the sliding surface into the Sugru, use a superglue, or leave as-is.
    • I struggled to find a glue that was good in low temps, suitable for porous plastic, and not massively toxic. Given the shelf seems to slide fine, I'm inclined to leave as-is.
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