How to Troubleshoot & Replace Whirlpool AP3179609 / 8185234 Microwave Outer Door Frame Assembly With Glass

I ordered the part from AppliancePartsPros.com. I received the part quickly; unscrewed the old door removed it and popped on the new door part and screwed it in. It took no more than 30 minutes to replace. I saved at least $300 dollars if I had to replace the whole microwave. 

First I ordered the part from APP. Ordered in the afternoon and had it the next day. Wow. Removed broken door trim from microwave and put on the new one. Done in 10 minutes. 

Ordered new door frame. Used old handle. I googled Youtube on how to replace door frame. It really helped. We got it done and even cleaned up the vent area in about an hour. And we sure are NOT very "fix-it" savvy. Was so glad to get it done and door frame looks super. Also got it in mail in super great time. Thanks for all the help on the chat on ordering it. Never would have believed it was so easy to order, get it here, and have it all done successful. 

First off, this company rocks. Within 2 hours of me ordering it the new door was being shipped out. I had it only 3 days later. I love a company that knows what it's doing. It's refreshing to me. It was was easy to fix. Just three short screws on one side, then the rest of the door pops off. Also had to take off the handle from broken door and installed on new door. Had to push a little getting new one on, but it went on then I put the three short screws back in. Done. 

Was stunningly easy. Due to cracks near three screws on end near handle, the existing outer shell flexed easily and popped off. I had just bought hard plastic automotive door panel tools at Harbor Freight for $10 and they were perfect for this application. Two things: you do not have to remove the inner shell but you do have to watch for the existing glass to be loose and could slip out should you ignore it. The glass is attached on the new part and used to be on the old one but it came loose during removal. Have to watch this. Transfer old handle to new frame (two screws) easy. Due to old frame cracks the lower end of the handle was popping out about 1/4". When transferring the handle to new frame I found that the lower screw had stripped out the hole on the handle and the small plastic pieces fell out. I tried a slightly larger self tapping screw but it also broke the plastic. Found a smaller but slightly longer screw that worked by going into the unused part of the screw base in the handle. There is not much pressure on handle so it is tight and secure as is but if it loosens in the future I will order a new handle and install. I didn't want to order a new handle and wait to finish repairs for 2-3 days so am trying this. In retrospect though, with the handle loose, I should have just ordered a new one which will last the life of this microwave oven. Bottom line: this was surprisingly easy job. 

Removed old replaced with new 

Needed a new door frame, too, in order to put on the handle. Needed a phillips and flat head screw driver.. Excellent ordering, shipping, and correct parts. Highly recommended! 

We ordered the frame with the glass and the repair was really simple to do. 

Replaced with newly ordered part from you using putty knife, screwdriver and a pocket knife. All for prying only. 

Ordered new part from APP on 11/29/18 which I received in just a few days. It was placed on my workbench which I stared @ daily for the best part of 60 days. I'm very mechanically inclined but after watching the you tube videos became bewildered with all the plastic hooks on the inner frame. Not to worry as they pop off very easily with a 1 1/2" putty knife if you are careful. I started @ 11:45 am & finished @ 12:05 pm including a slight delay with one of the handle screws. A little WD 40 goes a long way. When installing the handle on the new door frame I used small, thin plastic washers a tad bigger than the hole in the door for the screw to help prevent the screws form pulling out of the door frame again & for a little more rigidity. This easy fix saved me a good $300.00 for the parts & labor of a service man.