How to Install Refrigerator Drawer Slide Rail Screw 218493101 in a Kenmore Refrigerator
Quick answer: Pull the crisper or deli drawer out of the Kenmore refrigerator and lift it off its rails. Hold the loose slide rail against the liner so its holes line up, start screw 218493101 by hand into the liner boss, and drive it until the rail is firm. Refit the drawer and check it glides without dropping.
Screw 218493101 secures the drawer slide rails to the interior liner of a Kenmore refrigerator built by Frigidaire or Electrolux. The rails are the plastic or metal tracks on each side wall that the crisper, deli and freezer drawers ride on. When a rail screw backs out or the drawer is yanked hard enough to strip it, the rail sags, the drawer drops on one side, jams half open or falls out entirely. Our fitment data lists this screw for 1066 models, including 25344502604, EI23CS55GB8 and WRS26MF5AWZ, and it replaces several earlier numbers such as 240343002, 241786010 and 5304497976.
This is a five-minute repair once the drawer is out, but the screw threads into a plastic boss molded into the liner, and that boss is easy to strip or crack. The job is about alignment and restraint: get the rail flat, start the screw straight, and stop turning the instant it is snug. This guide shows where the rail screws sit, how to reach them behind a drawer, and how to confirm the drawer runs true afterward.
See part details and every compatible model: 218493101
- You do not need to unplug the refrigerator for this job, but keep the door open for as short a time as possible so food stays cold.
- Empty the drawer before removing it; a loaded drawer is heavy and awkward to lift off its rails.
- Do not force a screw into a cracked liner boss; a split liner can leak foam insulation and is not repairable.
- Keep small screws away from children and pets while you work.
Tools and Parts You Need
- Phillips screwdriver or driver bit to match the screw head
- Flashlight
- Small magnet to hold or retrieve the screw in the tight space
- Soft cloth to clean the liner around the boss
- Helper to hold a heavy drawer, optional
Step-by-Step Installation
- Empty and remove the drawer Take the food out of the affected drawer. Pull it out to its stop, then lift the front and pull it free of the rails. Some drawers require lifting the rear first; feel for the release.
- Find the loose rail Look at the slide rails on both side walls. The rail that sags, rattles or has an empty screw hole is the one to fix. Note whether it uses one or two screws and where they sit.
- Remove any damaged screw If the old screw is still there but stripped or broken, back it out with the driver or grip it with pliers. Use the magnet to catch it so it does not fall behind a shelf.
- Clean the boss and rail Wipe the liner around the screw boss and the rail's mounting face with a soft cloth. Check the boss for cracks; if it is cracked, the screw will not hold.
- Align the rail Press the rail flat against the liner so its mounting holes sit exactly over the bosses and any locating pegs on the rail drop into their sockets. A rail that is even slightly off will bind the drawer.
- Start 218493101 by hand Place the screw on the driver tip, or hold it with the magnet, and start it into the boss by hand. It should follow the existing thread without resistance.
- Drive snug Tighten until the rail no longer moves and the screw head seats against the rail. Stop there; the plastic boss strips with very little extra force.
- Refit and test the drawer Set the drawer back on the rails and slide it in and out several times. It should glide level, stop at its detent and not drop on the repaired side.
Fit Checks Before You Call the Job Done
- The rail sits flat against the liner with no gap behind it.
- The screw head is flush with the rail and the rail cannot be wiggled by hand.
- The drawer slides smoothly to its stop without dropping, tilting or scraping.
- The drawer front sits level with the drawer beside it.
- No cracking sound was heard from the boss while tightening.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Overtightening into the plastic boss The most common failure. The boss threads strip and the screw spins forever. Snug is enough.
Cross-threading a used boss The boss already has a thread cut by the original screw. Start the new screw by hand so it follows that thread instead of cutting a new one.
Mounting the rail slightly out of position If the locating pegs are not in their sockets, the rail sits at an angle and the drawer binds or falls.
Using a longer generic screw A longer screw can punch through the liner into the insulation. Use 218493101 or a number it replaces.
Dropping the screw behind a shelf Use a magnet or a dab of tape on the driver tip. A lost screw can jam a fan or end up in the drain.
Troubleshooting After Installation
Screw spins and never tightens The boss is stripped. Fill the hole with a sliver of plastic or a suitable thread repair insert, or move the rail to a fresh boss if the liner has one.
Drawer still drops or tilts The rail is mounted crooked or the other rail is also loose. Remove the drawer again and check both sides.
Drawer is hard to slide after the repair The rail is not fully seated on its pegs or the drawer was refitted without its rollers on the track. Reseat the rail and the drawer.
Cracking noise while tightening Stop immediately. The boss is splitting. Back the screw out a quarter turn and leave it; a slightly loose rail is better than a cracked liner.
Care Tips After the Repair
- Do not overload drawers; heavy loads on one side pull rail screws loose.
- Pull drawers straight out rather than at an angle.
- Clean the rails and rollers when you clean the refrigerator so grit does not add drag.
- Check rail screws for tightness once a year.
Compatible Models (Sample)
This part is listed for 1066 Kenmore models in our fitment data. Always confirm your exact model number on the appliance's rating plate.
Replaces or is replaced by: 240343002, 240343102, 240383703, 241786010, 241786014, 242058232, 5304497976, 5304527931
Repair Difficulty and Time
Difficulty: Easy. Typical time: 5 to 15 minutes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which refrigerators use drawer slide rail screw 218493101?
Our fitment data lists 1066 Frigidaire, Electrolux, Kenmore and White-Westinghouse models, including EW26SS70IS3, EW23SS65HS0 and GLHS38EJB1. It also replaces 240343102, 240383703 and 242058232 among others.
Do I have to unplug the refrigerator?
No. The screw is inside the fresh food or freezer compartment and involves no electrical parts. Just work quickly so the compartment stays cold.
What if the plastic boss is stripped?
A thread repair insert or a small sliver of plastic in the hole often restores enough grip. If the liner has a spare boss position, move the rail to it.
Final Checklist
- Drawer emptied and lifted off its rails
- Loose rail and empty screw position identified
- Old screw removed and boss checked for cracks
- Rail aligned flat with pegs in their sockets
- 218493101 started by hand and driven just snug
- Rail firm with no wiggle
- Drawer refitted and glides level to its stop