I should have taken a video of this.
This is the second time the spring broke. It lasted about 3 years.
I replaced the right spring (number 4452396 RH SS models)
Th unit is a Kitchen Aid kbmc140hss03 free standing SS Microwave Convection combination oven.
Very simple Took me 20 Minutes to do.
Here are the steps to replace either spring.
1. Open the door. On the right and left side of the oven there are side trim pieces with retaining screws located 3/4 of the way down exposed when the door is open. Remove them push the trim down and pull out from the bottom.
2. Keep the door open and undo, 2 screws that hold the front door. [top portion of the door from inside.] Hold on to the door by the handle and pull it up and out. Caution if you don't hold it will fall to the floor.[pic 1 from evo]
3. Now remove the Vent from the bottom by removing the mounting screws on either side.
4. Once the skin and side trims are removed, it will expose a plastic shell. Raise the reaming door shell, but don't latch it. On the bottom of the door there are 2 U shaped clips, do not remove them. Locate the 2 screws that hold the plastic shell and remove them. Look up from below. [pic 7 from evo).
5. With the plastic shell removed, the torsion spring(s) are exposed can be replaced. If it is the right spring start threading it in on the right side first. Look at the left spring to see how it is installed The Left spring would be done oppositely.
I added the aluminum tape for safety shown in evo's last picture.
6. Reverse steps 50 to 1.
Your Done.
The Kitchen Aid Factory service tech said it would be $345 to replace the Right and Left springs. Only the right one was broken. He said they only came in a pair.
I told my wife to throw him out of the house. He then came back and said he could knock $50 off. I told her again to throw him out of the house.
Of course he wanted $95 to tell us that the spring was broken, And of course we told them that the right spring was broken when we made the service call. Long story short he got $0.
Got the spring on amazon and had it in 2 days.
Whirlpool 4452396 Microwave Door Torsion Spring
http://www.amazon.com/gp/produc...00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1$27.53 + Tax Delivered