Procedure to Replace the Gasket on a Refrigerator Door?

First off, make sure nothing is stopping the door from closing completely. If the door is closing properly, then using a hair dryer, heat the gasket until soft and pliable. You can carefully stretch it towards the cabinet. There is a magnet in the gasket all the way around on the mating portion. While the gasket is soft, the magnet will pull the gasket until contact is made with the cabinet. Once a good seal has been accomplished, allow to door to remain closed for 30 minutes. The seal will cool down, and the new shape will be maintained. After that, close the door on a dollar bill. Gently tug the portion of the bill on the outside of the door from one corner to the other. There should be some resistance to your pulling. If the bill feels loose, apply more heat to the gasket in that area to improve the seal. DO NOT HOLD THE HAIR DRYER IN ONE PLACE TOO LONG AS IT WILL DAMAGE THE GASKET, AS WELL AS THE PLASTIC LINER.

1. Buy a gasket that fits your door exactly.
   
2. Soak the new gasket in hot water in the sink to make it pliable.
   
3. Make sure the refrigerator is level.
   
4. Find a nut driver that will fit the screws holding the old gasket in place and lay out your tools where you'll be able to reach them.
   
5. Start at the top outside corner of the door and fold the old gasket back as you partly loosen the screws along half of the top and side. Don't loosen them all the way.
   
6. Pull the old gasket out.
   
7. Attach the new gasket by pushing it beneath the metal retainer and tightening the screws as you go.
   
8. Replace each section the same way.
   
9. Shut the door and check for gaps. The seal should lie straight and smooth all the way around the door.
   
10. Notice if there are gaps between the gasket and the frame - this may indicate that the door has warped. (Fix it by loosening the screws and twisting the door a little. You may have to do this a few times before you get the door straight.)
    
11. Put a flashlight in the freezer pointed toward the opening and shut the door. Turn off the lights. You shouldn't see any light leaking through.
    

Regards....

Hi and welcome to FixYa. I am Kelly

Just a note on your part number:
(The manufacturer has replaced part number 604626 with this item, part number 70048-3.)

You can do a net search for the part above but these 2 sources seem to be the best price:

$51.78
http://www.appliancepartspros.com/partsearch.aspx?pn_=60462-6

$46.56

http://www.shop.com/maytag+refrigerator+gasket-70048!3-Home+Store-++2?g=5&k=30

I checked e-bay here but did not investigate the sellers:

http://shop.ebay.com/?_from=R40&_trksid=m570&_nkw=70048-3

I trust the first 2 links.

As far as how to change it... You roll back the gasket from the inside toward the outside and losen NOT remove the screws then pull the gasket outward. When you have the replacement gasket in hand you install it by pushing the flat protion under the mounting plate and re-tightening the screws. The most difficult part is making sure the corners line up and fold into place correctly. Sometimes you have to stretch the longer runs to get the corners to fit right. I do this by tightening ONE bottom or side corner screw so it does not slip then align the gasket. You tighten the gasket one screw at a time working from the first screw you tightened to the next corner. It is best to start at the top and work down..... doing the intial install so the gasket does not fold over itself while you installing it.

Thanks for choosing FixYa
Kelly

Hello,

Buy a gasket that fits your door exactly.

Step 2
Soak the new gasket in hot water in the sink to make it pliable.

Step 3
Make sure the refrigerator is level.

Step 4
Find a nut driver that will fit the screws holding the old gasket in place and lay out your tools where you'll be able to reach them.

Step 5
Start at the top outside corner of the door and fold the old gasket back as you partly loosen the screws along half of the top and side. Don't loosen them all the way.

Step 6
Pull the old gasket out.

Step 7
Attach the new gasket by pushing it beneath the metal retainer and tightening the screws as you go.

Step 8
Replace each section the same way.

Step 9
Shut the door and check for gaps. The seal should lie straight and smooth all the way around the door.

Step 10
Notice if there are gaps between the gasket and the frame - this may indicate that the door has warped. (Fix it by loosening the screws and twisting the door a little. You may have to do this a few times before you get the door straight.)

Step 11
Put a flashlight in the freezer pointed toward the opening and shut the door. Turn off the lights. You shouldn't see any light leaking through.

Hope this helpout .......

Hello,

Buy a gasket that fits your door exactly.

Step 2
Soak the new gasket in hot water in the sink to make it pliable.

Step 3
Make sure the refrigerator is level.

Step 4
Find a nut driver that will fit the screws holding the old gasket in place and lay out your tools where you'll be able to reach them.

Step 5
Start at the top outside corner of the door and fold the old gasket back as you partly loosen the screws along half of the top and side. Don't loosen them all the way.

Step 6
Pull the old gasket out.

Step 7
Attach the new gasket by pushing it beneath the metal retainer and tightening the screws as you go.

Step 8
Replace each section the same way.

Step 9
Shut the door and check for gaps. The seal should lie straight and smooth all the way around the door.

Step 10
Notice if there are gaps between the gasket and the frame - this may indicate that the door has warped. (Fix it by loosening the screws and twisting the door a little. You may have to do this a few times before you get the door straight.)

Step 11
Put a flashlight in the freezer pointed toward the opening and shut the door. Turn off the lights. You shouldn't see any light leaking through.

Good luck and hope this helps............