How to Install Washer 5304456689 in a Kenmore Refrigerator

Quick answer: Unplug the refrigerator, find the screw, shaft or nut on your model's parts diagram that calls for washer 5304456689, back the fastener out, slip the new washer flat against the mounting face, then run the fastener back down snug. It seats in seconds; reaching it is the real work.

Washer 5304456689 is a small hardware washer used inside Kenmore side-by-side refrigerators and their Electrolux and Frigidaire cousins such as EW26SS70IS0, GLHS38EJB1 and FRS3R4EQ8. On its own it looks unremarkable, but a washer like this spreads the clamping load of a screw or nut, keeps a fastener from digging into plastic, and takes up the small gap that lets a fan blade, hinge or bracket rattle. When one is lost during another repair, the assembly it belonged to never quite tightens the same way again.

Because this washer is a generic hardware item rather than a part with a single home, the first job is to confirm from your model's exploded diagram exactly which fastener it belongs to. Our fitment data lists it for 73 models, and on many of them it sits with hardware around the evaporator fan or a cabinet bracket, near companion parts such as fan blade 5308000010. This guide covers the general procedure for reaching a refrigerator fastener and seating the washer correctly.

See part details and every compatible model: 5304456689

⚠️ Safety First
  • Unplug the refrigerator before removing any panel; fans can start without warning.
  • Move perishable food to a cooler if the freezer must be open more than about 30 minutes.
  • Evaporator fins are sharp and easily bent; keep tools away from them.
  • Do not force a frozen screw; let ice melt first rather than stripping the head.

Tools and Parts You Need

  • Phillips and flat-blade screwdrivers
  • 1/4-inch nut driver
  • Small needle-nose pliers
  • Flashlight or headlamp
  • Magnetic parts tray
  • Your model's parts diagram
  • Towel for freezer floor if working near the evaporator

Step-by-Step Installation

  1. Identify the location Look up your model number on the rating plate inside the fresh-food section and find 5304456689 on the parts diagram. Note the fastener it pairs with and the panel that hides it.
  2. Cut power and empty the area Unplug the refrigerator. If the washer sits behind the evaporator cover, remove freezer shelves, the ice bin and any baskets in the way.
  3. Remove the covering panel Take out the screws holding the rear freezer panel or the bracket cover and lift it away. Some panels also hook at the bottom, so tilt them out rather than pulling straight.
  4. Back out the fastener Loosen the screw, nut or shaft clip that the washer belongs to just enough to slide the washer in. If the old washer is still there but damaged, remove it with pliers.
  5. Seat the new washer Slide 5304456689 onto the fastener so it lies flat against the mounting surface. On a fan motor shaft, it goes between the blade hub and its retainer; on a screw, it goes under the screw head.
  6. Tighten by feel Run the fastener down until the washer is clamped snug. Stop when resistance rises sharply; plastic brackets crack when overtightened.
  7. Reinstall the panel Hook the panel back into place, replace its screws and return shelves and bins. Restore power.
  8. Verify the repair Listen for the fan to start and confirm there is no rattle or scraping from the area you worked on. Let the unit run for an hour and check that it is cooling normally.

Fit Checks Before You Call the Job Done

  • The washer's inner hole slides over the screw or shaft without being forced and without visible slop.
  • The washer lies flat with no rocking before the fastener is tightened.
  • Once tightened, the assembly it retains does not wobble when pushed by hand.
  • A fan blade near the washer spins freely without touching the shroud.
  • The panel you removed goes back on without gaps, meaning nothing underneath is sitting proud.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Guessing where it goes The same washer shape appears in several places on a side-by-side. Confirm the position on the diagram instead of installing it where it looks plausible.

Stacking it with the old washer Leaving a damaged washer in place and adding the new one on top changes the clamp height and can push a fan blade into the shroud.

Overtightening A washer spreads load but does not make plastic stronger. Snug is enough; cracked brackets cost far more than a washer.

Dropping it into the evaporator Work over a towel or use a magnetic tray. A washer that falls behind the coil is hard to recover and can rattle for years.

Working with power on The evaporator fan can start the instant the door switch is pressed. Always unplug first.

Troubleshooting After Installation

Rattle continues after installing the washer The washer is on the wrong fastener or the fan blade hub itself is cracked. Recheck the diagram and inspect the blade.

Fastener will not tighten The threads in the plastic are stripped. Use a slightly longer screw of the same diameter, not a thicker one.

Fan touches the shroud after reassembly The washer was placed on the wrong side of the blade hub, changing its position on the shaft. Reposition it.

Freezer not cooling after the panel goes back Check that the fan wire connector was not pulled loose while the panel was off.

Care Tips After the Repair

  • Keep spare washers from any refrigerator repair in a labeled bag; they are the parts most often lost.
  • Vacuum the condenser coil twice a year so fans and brackets run cooler and vibrate less.
  • Check that freezer panel screws stay snug after the first few weeks of thermal cycling.
  • Do not overload freezer shelves against the rear panel; pressure loosens the hardware behind it.

Compatible Models (Sample)

This part is listed for 73 Kenmore models in our fitment data. Always confirm your exact model number on the appliance's rating plate.

Repair Difficulty and Time

Difficulty: Easy. Typical time: 15 to 40 minutes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is 5304456689 the same washer used with the evaporator fan blade?

It is listed alongside fan blade 5308000010 and related hardware on many models. Confirm the pairing on your own model's diagram before ordering.

Can I substitute a washer from the hardware store?

Only if the inside diameter, outside diameter and thickness match exactly. A washer that is too thick moves the part it retains and can cause rubbing.

Does this washer fit Electrolux and Frigidaire refrigerators?

Yes. Models such as EW23SS65HS0, EI26SS35JB1 and GLHS67EHW6 are in the fitment list for this part.

Do I need to defrost the freezer first?

Only if the fastener is iced over. Otherwise, a quick panel removal with the door open briefly is enough.

Final Checklist

  • Model number confirmed and washer location found on diagram
  • Refrigerator unplugged
  • Panel or cover removed without bending fins
  • Old or damaged washer removed
  • New washer seated flat under the correct fastener
  • Fastener snug, not overtightened
  • Panel, shelves and bins reinstalled
  • Power restored and fan runs quietly

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