Whirlpool Side by side refrigerator. The door makes a loud popping noise whenever you open or shut the door. What is the fix?
Inspect the lower door hinge with the door closer and the door gasket.
Gene.
[QUOTE=Gene;12377]Inspect the lower door hinge with the door closer and the door gasket.
Gene.[/QUOTE]
To Gene: Thanks for your help. I was able to track down the source of my problem. It was the lower hinge that was the culprit. It was loose. There was a small hex screw that prevents the plastic hinge support from moving. When it moves it makes this loud popping noise. I tightened it the best I could and the popping noise went away. Thank You, Rod Coelho
I’m glad you were able to fix it.
Gene.
I have the same problem discussed in this thread.
Do you have to remove the door to be able to access the hex bolt to tighten the lower hinge closer?
I’ve let my door ‘Pop’ for a long time, and as a consequence the closer looks pretty worn/has a lot of play in it when it pops. How difficult is it to pull off the door to replace the closer, if necessary? Any gotchas to be aware of?
Thanks
rboris,
What is the complete model number of the fridge?
Which door are you talking about?
Gene.
It’s model GS5SHAXNL01, and it’s the refrigerator side door.
I did not have to remove the door. All I did was tighten the small hex bolt on the lower hinge. You have to get down on your hands and knees to see it and the door must be wide open. I have not had a problem since I tightened this bolt. I did add a small amount of lubricant also.
Thanks for the tips, guys!! I just tighened the bolt that holds the door closer piece and it totally fixed the popping noise. You just saved me a bunch of money.
I looked at our door as described above and I don’t see a hinge for a hex wrench. What would the solution be for a frigidaire side by side?
Gene,
I have the same popping problem with my Whirlpool side by side refrigerator door. I had no loose screws on the bottom cam and replaced the entire assembly once already. The popping was still very slight even with a brand new cam and some lube, and now is very loud again. Is there a common reason that the cam would be wearing out very quickly? thanks
I over tightened the hex screw on the bottom because the popping never stopped and unfortunately it striped out. Is there anything I can do to fix it?
What size hex wrench did you guys have to use. I have both metric and SAE hex wrenches and couldn’t get one of em to fit.
Thanks
Ric??
Reading several forums I looked at the bottom door jam, or whatever you want to call it. Sure enough the lil plastic “whatever” was loose. Except mine did not require an allen wrench (hex head). The bolt was approximately 5/16" or right at 8 mm. Did not have an offset, small 5/16 wrench - used an offset 8 mm and worked like a champ. The refrigerator door has to be opened almost 180 degrees to get to this bolt. Tighten the nut snugly and Viola - the popping noise stops. If you do not have “box end” wrenches, you may need to take off just the refrigerator door. No way a socket will fit in the space. Good luck “do-it-youselfers”
Hey thanks alot you guys. I removed the upper 8mm bolts holding the door on. Removed it and used an 8mm driver to tighten the screw located within the lower plastic housing or cam . It was loose and not holding form enough to handle the pressure of the weight when the door opened. Creating a loud popping noise. Now its so quiet. I coudn’t thank you enough. This has bugged me for a year..So simple with advice from a Knowlegeable source.
Gald the “fix” worked for you as well!! 
Happy New Year and may it be your best!!
Sgt Rock
Thank you so much for the info. I only wish I had looked it up sooner. That popping noise has driven me nuts since shortly after I bought the fridge 4 yrs. ago!
I tried this repair, but found that the hex bolt was not accessible because of the door. I found that the door is held on by three screws. I removed a plate cover from the top of the door which revealed the three screws. I removed them and then pulled the door off the swivel hinge. (I did it with food still in the door and would recommend removing the food first.)
setting the door aside, I tightened the hex bolt. I retraced my steps and put the door back up. I opened and closed a couple of times and found that the repair was successful.
Good Luck!
I just did our Whirlpool SxS and it worked. Open the door fully and you will see a little hex head bolt (5/16 worked for me). It allows the bottom part of the cam ramp to move slightly causing the pop. Tighten and no pop.
I tightened it but it only lessened the sound for a couple days. Now it’s back in full force. Is there a part I should replace? Possible I didn’t tighten enough but I doubt it. I have gs6nbexrb01
Thanks!