Official Tappan trash compactor parts

Tips for getting your Tappan trash compactor drawer open when it's stuck shut

Bent support rollers or a damaged trash container can bind up the drawer when opening.

Open the drawer and check the support rollers at the bottom of the trash compactor. If the support rollers don't hold the drawer high enough and the back of the drawer binds up when opening, bend the support rollers up slightly so the drawer slides out easily. Replace the support rollers if they're damaged.

Check the drawer bottom because the drawer won't open smoothly if the bottom is bent or warped. Replace the drawer if its bottom is bowed or warped.

What to do when the motor runs but the ram doesn't move in your Tappan trash compactor

The ram won't move if the power nuts don't grip the drive screw grooves or if the drive gear and sprocket chain is broken or disconnected from the sprockets.

Open the drawer and remove the trash container if it's still in the drawer. Pull the trash compactor out of the cabinet and unplug the power cord so you can examine components and find the cause of the failure.

Remove the drawer and the top trash compactor cover. Lay the compactor down and remove the bottom cover. Check for a broken or disconnected chain. Replace the chain if it's broken. If the chain is intact but disconnected, check the drive gear and sprockets for damage. Replace any stripped or damaged drive parts.

If the chain, drive gear and sprockets are all okay, manually spin the power screws to see if power nuts grip the drive screw grooves. If the power nuts grip the drive screws, the power nuts and ram will move when you manually spin the power screws. If the power nuts and ram won't move when you manually spin the power screws, replace the nuts because they are stripped or broken.

Reassemble the trash compactor after finding and fixing the cause of the ram drive failure. Plug the compactor in and reinstall it in the cabinet.