My Whirlpool fridge gasket is part #2159061, which I triple-checked on multiple websites showing exploded diagrams and parts lists for my fridge. I rec'd it from McCombs a week after the order, and laid it out as recommended by other websites (i.e., unfold it, untwist it, lightly hold it down where necessary to keep it straight and level). It measured perfectly to the old, worn, gasket, still on my fridge door. After removing the original gasket (which took all of 5 seconds), I discovered that the new one didn't quite match the old one. The lip/edge of the new gasket that should slip, easily, into the fridge door groove is half too short and about 25% too wide, which implies that it could be from a different make or model or different year than mine; I don't blame McCombs for that, since they are at the mercy of suppliers, many of whom make "acceptable" modifications for more universal fitments. Regardless, I was "stuck" with the new one, since the old gasket was pretty much useless. It took me over an hour to, carefully, jam it into place (had to remove the fridge door, which I wouldn't have had to do, if the new gasket matched the old one 100%). Unfortunately, it did not solve the problem of not keeping closed. I checked everything I could think of (door alignment; fridge level (front-to-back and left-to-right); dirt; magnetism on both the fridge door edge and gasket; etc). I "fixed" the problem by putting a 6" long x 1/2" wide x 1/16" thin/deep magnetic strip, that I happened to have, from the top of the open side of the door, downward, leaving just enough room for the inner edge to seal, and that seemed to do the trick for the most part (at least, better than before). No way I could have foreseen a problem from the pictures on the McCombs' website, but, again, I'm not blaming them. Maybe this gasket is a perfect fit for another year, make, model, but, it wasn't for mine, and I had to make do.
This was the 1st door gasket I've ever replaced and was a bit freaked out when the door didn't immediately seal. Instead of putting the old gasket back, I resorted to the internet and learned that it takes heat and finesse to get a good contact seal.
I recommend that every gasket ships with a note that tells DIY'ers to remove the gasket from the box and lay it out flat (in the summer sun if possible) to remove wrinkles and make the rubber more pliable.
I ended up using a forced air heat gun and a few plastic putty knives along with a moldable freezer cool-pack to force contact and cool the rubber working about 4-inchs of the gasket working my way around the door.
I'm an electro-mechanical engineer and have fear of nothing in my home, my car, my bicycle, my computers, washer, dryer, dishwasher, microwave, and oven, as well as the electrical and plumbing system in my house. For 20 minutes the installation of this gasket made me re-think my capabilities.
A simple note in the box with the gasket, or a heads up in the product description describing the final fit of the gasket would have been nice.
perfect fit, easy installation
