[stchsteve5]

This should be a simple one. This is an older Amana refrigerator with side-by-side doors. One of the door handles is loose. Can someone tell me how to remove the vertical strips at the door's edge (without destroying them) so that I can gain access to tighten what I am assuming are simple screws to fasten the handle. (Or let me know if it is not possible to tighten the handle in this way.)

Thanks.

[PS Staff - Sheila]

By looking at the diagram For your fridge model SQD25MBW it does show the center of the handle can be popped out.

The part that pops out is number 6 on the door handle view. The screws should be behind this.

[stchsteve5]

Thanks, Sheila. Unfortunately, the quality of the drawing is so poor that it is tough to tell how these parts go together. Can you possibly give me more specific advice about where to pry to "pop" out the part? Also, please confirm that I am to pop out the strip section which is underneath the door handle (that is, between its two attachment points), or do I need to pop off the upper and/or lower sections as well?

[PS Staff - Sheila]

If you click on the little picture at the side it will display it so you can see how the handle goes together.

There are three pieces to the handle. The first is the insert. Sorry I did use the wrong reference number. It should have been number 18. This piece has no screws.

The next piece is number 19. The screws are going toward the fridge. These are the screws that you are trying to access.

The third piece is number 5. This is screwed to number 19.

If this type of handle does not look like your check your model number.

[stchsteve5]

Well, the diagrams were essentially useless, so I attempted to "pry" off the parts. In the process I discovered that the black trim section above and the black trim section below the handle slide up and down, respectively, on a rail. (One of the trim sections had to be coaxed by tapping a straight edge with a hammer, at the joint by the handle end.) Fortunately I discovered this before I did any damage by trying to pry the part. Once each trim section was slid about 1/2" the handle screws were accessible.!

[gskmp1]

1) Open the refrigerator or freezer door with the loose handle.
2) Pull on the black cover strip above the handle to expose the edge of the strips.
3) Using a hammer or dull object in order to not damage the plastic, tap upward to move the strip approx 1 inch to expose the top screw. It fits tight so it will take some effort to move it.
4) Tighten screw and tap the strip back down until flush again.
5) Repeat steps for bottom of door handle.