How to Troubleshoot & Replace Bosch AP4512908 / 00617262 Microwave Door Handle Support Bracket

Since I have already made this same repair twice (once on my own appliance and once on a neighbor's), I'm getting pretty adept at it! Here are the steps: 1. Remove microwave oven door. 2. Using a putty knife, gently pry out the black plastic outer bezel. 3. Remove two visible screws near the latches that secure the inner prongy metal frame. 4. Using a putty knife and/or screw driver, lever up the metal frame by releasing the small tabs on one or two sides - (this is the trickiest part of the whole operation). 5. Unscrew the now visible screw holding the broken Spacer and replace the Spacer, making sure to affix the handle to both Spacers before you tighten the new Spacer in place. 6. Replace the metal frame - it should snap back in fairly easily if you stretch the outer frame slightly. 7. Screw the retaining screws back in near the latches - it'll be hard to get the screws into the holes because you have to get them between the metal prongs of the frame, so use the following method: take the plastic bag the Spacer came in and poke a screw through it. Insert the screw driver into the screw and hold the plastic bag so that you're applying tension that will keep the screw on the end of the screw driver as you lower the screw between the prongs and into its hole. 8. Replace the plastic bezel by gently snapping it back in place. 9. Remember these steps, because you're likely going to have to do this all over agin in a few months when one of the Spacers breaks again. I think the curve of the handle is nor designed or manufactured quite correctly, which puts undue strain on the cheap plastic Spacers, which results in them snapping easily. To mitigate this, make sure to grab the middle section of the handle when opening or closing the door, rather than pulling it open near either of the Spacers. This will help to distribute the forces affecting the Spacers. 

So, you would think that Bosch would make the door handle a TAD more accessible for a quick replacement and repair. You have to first remove the plastic lining on the back of the door, then the black metal surround that holds the inner glass to be able to get to the two screws that hold the door handle supports. It takes some patience as most of these two peices and "snap" in and you just have to carefully see how the two components are held in to remove them without breaking them. So.... 1 - Remove the black plastic lining using a wide flat putty knife and pulling up, working your way around the perimeter.This exposes the blank metal/window frame with metal "tangs" 2 - Two screws near the door catches that hold the door closed hold the metal/window frame down. Remove the two screws. Then find the plastic tabs that hold the metal to the outer frame and pry them open to allow you to pull and pop the metal tang piece out. Work your way around the frame till you can remove this hold piece. 3. - Finally, you can get at the two screws that hold the handle supports to the outer frame. Remove and replace with new supports and door handle (ended up I could have done without replacing the handle, but was not clear how it was put together until I got there...better safe than sorry). 4 - I think the screws are WAY too short for the supports and that's why the support (cheap plastic) broke. There is not enough connection between screw and support down the entire length of the support hole. So, I REPLACED the OEM screws with 3/4" long self tapping screws from my infinite spare parts bin. 5. Reassemble in reverse order - MUCH quicker and easier than disassembly. 6. Done.....and Happy Wife!! 

I disassembled the oven door enough to access the handle's mounting screws from the inside. The only tricky part was figuring out exactly where to apply gentle pressure to the two inner door components in order to ease them off. Then I only had to remove two mounting screws securing one of the door panels, plus the screw holding the offending spacer. For reassembly, the trickiest part was re-inserting those two mounting screws because there was not much room to work with. My brilliant solution was to poke the screw through the plastic bag the new spacer came in, then I held the bag as I used the screwdriver to push it down into the hole. The bag then pulled away easily. (I used a putty knife to help lever off the first inner door panel.) 

The supports are cheap plastic and will all eventually break. I found the parts at APP, ordered them at about 5 in the evening. They were installed by 2 pm the next day (remarkable shipping). I removed the door by lifting up at the hinge end. A Youtube video showed how to remove the plastic ring from around the interior glass. I had to remove two screws to remove the glass (good time to clean!). I then unscrewed the broken supports and replaced them with the new ones already assembled on the handle. Reversed the process and rehung the door which was actually the hardest part as that hinge is a tight fit. The plastic ring was the only part that benefited from a special tool. I used a small pry-bar. All done in 30 minutes plus grease removal and glass cleaning. 

Bought 2 new supports 

Removed door- Careful removal of the thin plastic frame on the inside side of the door -unscrew two Phillips head screws - very careful removal of the metal frame by carefully pulling the clips back - assemble handle onto the two spacers and align spacer with screw. Tighten screw in the new spacer being careful to not break plastic spacer as you have to screw into non-threaded plastic! Replace the metal and plastic frames - reinstall door - don’t use the handle so you won’t stress the weak spacer. Pull door open under the handle and it will open easily and thus avoiding this exercise again. Good luck 

Replaced bracket but the door was apparently damaged by bracket when it broke. 

Ordered the part and replaced. 

Yes 

Removed door molding, replaced with new plastic mount.