Do-It-Yourself Story

Whirlpool microwave model MH8150XJQ-0 manufactured May 2002. The outer door frame and vent grill became brittle, developed cracks and breaks with little pieces around the screws falling off... that sort of thing. It's over 20 years old so no complaints. The rest of the microwave is fine and since it's mounted over the stovetop, I don't want to deal with measuring, selecting, removing, installing, etc. when this one still works. I'm glad AppliancePartsPros had the parts. Anyone considering this needs to be careful removing the old frame because the glass is framed by tabs within that plastic door frame. The door frame is held to the metal door by many plastic tabs on three sides that are integrated as part of the formed door frame plastic. The tabs are a tad long so you have to slide a putty knife or something along while releasing the tabs and slowly work/pry the plastic frame away from the metal door. The plastic frame though is holding the glass but the glass may have a hot glue type substance adhering it to the metal door so keep a close eye that the glass isn't sticking to the metal door while you are pulling the plastic frame that holds the glass away from the door. I don't know what exactly that glue material is but I recommend preserving it on the glass because it's a cushion that absorbs shock when closing the door. If you know what that glue material is and can acquire some, a fresh application would probably be better when reassembling the glass to the new plastic door frame. DON'T FORGET to INSTALL the HANDLE BEFORE putting the new frame back onto the metal door!!! I did not have to remove the door from its hinges. It might have been slightly easier and maybe safer in case the glass fell but I couldn't tell how I could remove the whole door first from the hinges without spending more time researching so I moved slower and more calculated with the door remaining hinged. I also carefully and thoroughly cleaned the glass while it was out. Replacing the vent grill is simple however keep in mind to remove the top screws, tilt the top out first because the bottom tabs are 90-degree downward so they have to be tilted away and out from their bottom holes.