Ace Hardware Electrical Supplies - Recent Questions, Troubleshooting & Support

Hi,
Here is a tip that will help you...

http://www.fixya.com/support/r4062599-garbage_disposal_clogged_or_jammed

heatman101

Replace the whole thing. They are not that expensive and are easy to replace. The issue could be bad motor part or the shaft came loose from the grinding disk.

Most likely the whole thing needs to be taken apart and cleaned, not just the disposal, but the plumbing as well. I have often had to do this for others. Very often the problem has been people put things in the disposal that plug up the plumbing, like eggshells, bananana peels, and other fruits & vegetables that readily plug the system. I have had to take such apart too many times to count. Oh, yes. If your dishwasher empties into the disposal ( that is normal) you may find your 2 choices are to repair or replace the disposal, or remove the disposal all together and hook the dishwasher drain directly to the plumbing. God bless your efforts.

I'm not sure what bolt you are talking about.
The sink strainer attaches to bottom of sink with 3 bolts.
If bolts breaks, you can substitute ordinary 1/4" hex bolt.

If a bolt is broken off inside something metal, then you can drill a small hole in the broken bolt.
Then remove bolt using a screw extractor available hardware or auto parts store.
You can drill out the bolt, and then re-thread the hole.
I suggest you take the part in question to hardware store.
I used to work hardware/home-center, and those guys can get eyes on the job and offer best solution.

Add a comment for more free help.
Also take advantage of fixya expert assistance live.
For a price, expert works with you via e-mail while you work on disposal or any do-it-yourself project.
Fixya is always less expensive than a service call.

fixya is an advice page , not a retailer , wholesaler, ticket supplier , refunder or anything else just an advice page

Make sure the insinkerator is spinning. If not, it will burn out if the motor if the built in breaker does not pop. Using the tool that comes with unit loosen the spindle so it turns. Then turn on and hope that you did not burn out any of the windings. If you did, it will work but use too much current, overheat and possibly trip the breaker. If motor has been damaged, then replacement is in order since the part cannot be ordered separately.

Use wood stick or broom handle and see if blades rotate freely.
If blades are stuck, then use wood stick to wedge free the blades.

If blades rotate freely and disposal doesn't work, then disposal has gone bad.
Install new one.

For replacement instructions:
http://www.fixya.com/support/r7929008-replace_garbage_disposal

Sorry you are doomed. The only other way to install is to have a plumber come back out and lower the drain in the wall.

You cant break stainless steel cutter blade, welded parts and steel ball bearings with water mellon rinds.
Even a metal fork should not break a garbage disposal ... the fork will wedge against the side wall and cause cutter blade to get stuck. Once the fork is removed, no damage is done.

If insinkerator is shaking, then either a bearing has rusted out, or the shaft has finally worn out.
The stainless cutter blade is permanently attached to a steel shaft that goes into the sealed bearing. If the cutter weld is broken, then the disposal will wobble. If the bearing wears out, then the steel shaft will wobble. If the steel shaft is worn down at the bearing, then the cutter plate will wobble. A tiny bit of wobble will cause the disposal to shake. A brand new disposal will vibrate.
Check date of purchase receipt.
Amazon shows warranty is 2 years:
http://www.amazon.com/InSinkErator-Badger-Food-Waste-Disposer/dp/B00004U9JO/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1303015273&sr=8-3
If disposal is 3-5 years old then that is a short lifetime for a solid product like the 1/2 HP.
If disposal is 5-8 years old, that's a good run. 8-12 years is very good.
I wrote tips for replacing disposal from days when I worked apartment maintenance:
We replaced disposals every 6-7 years. Some never wore out. Others went bad right away.
http://www.fixya.com/support/r7929008-replace_garbage_disposal

If it's pretty new (less than 2 years) you might be able to get free service or free replacement. Apparently this is a common failure with this model. If it was me, and out of warranty, I would spring for the $100 or so and get a new one.

If you hooked up the drain to the disposal directly there is no vent in the line. Use the air vent on the sink to connect the dishwasher drain hose. If there is no air vent, then you'll have to install one in the sink.

The inlet to hook up a dishwasher drain has a knockout plug in it. Use a screw driver or a punch and hammer to remove it .

Bearings in the motor are worn enough to allow the grinder plate to rub against the side of the chamber.

The pipe from the disposer outlet to the sink drain Tee is partially plugged. Remove the drain pipe from the disposer to clear the obstruction.

Use the allen wrench that came with the disposer or get a new one that will fit in the center hole on the bottom of the disposer. Using that tool you turn it back and forth until the nail loosens enough to remove it.

Roto rooter the drain pipe in the wall. It's plugged. The water goes up the vent pipe to the roof that's why the water comes back in the sink when you shut off the disposer.

Disconnect the drain pipe where it connects to the disposer and remove the P trap where the pipe goes into the wall to remove the blockage .