Russell Hobbs Mechanical Drive or Motor Binding

Grinding or squealing noise from inside the ice-making compartment

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Safety Warning

This repair may involve working with high voltage components or water connections. Always unplug the appliance before removing any panels.

If you are not confident in your ability to perform this repair safely, we strongly recommend contacting a professional technician.

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Possible Causes

Ice shovel motor gears worn or dry, Water tray drive motor binding, Foreign object caught in moving parts, Misaligned tray or shovel

How to Fix / Troubleshooting

Safety: Unplug the ice maker before placing hands near moving parts.

Steps to address grinding noises:

  • Inspect for obstructions: Open the lid and look for stray ice cubes or foreign objects jammed in the shovel or tray mechanism. Remove carefully.
  • Check alignment: Ensure the water tray sits correctly on its pivots and that the shovel is not bent or rubbing against the housing.
  • Manual movement test: With the unit unplugged, gently move the shovel and tray through their range of motion. They should move smoothly without binding.
  • Lubrication: If accessible, apply a small amount of food-safe silicone grease to plastic gear interfaces (avoid getting any on surfaces that contact water or ice).
  • Replace motors/gears: If the noise persists and you can feel the motor straining, the ice shovel motor or tray drive motor gear set may be worn and require replacement.
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Repair Difficulty

Medium 3/5

Required Part

Ice Shovel Motor
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