Replacing the microwave 2021 297RSTS

[TucsonJim]

On my 2017 297RSTS, I've pulled out the microwave twice. On mine, it was very simple, so I'm wondering if they changed the mounting method on your model year.

Here's how I tackled mine.

1. Remove all the interior items such as the turntable.
2. Unplug the microwave in the adjoining cabinet.
3. Remove the plastic grill over the microwave drawer.
4. On mine, there were four screws that were drilled through the top flange of the microwave. I removed these.
5. While removing the screws I referred to in step 4, I held the microwave in place. Then, when the screws were out, the microwave tilted down in the front while still being held on the mounting bracket in the back.
6. Lift the microwave up in back to clear the mounting bracket and set it down.

Jim

[howson]

Yes and yes, to back to the original post, removed the screws, will not come down. There is no cabinet above. Bolts do not go through the roof. Cross member must be glued to roof. Saturday I will use a crow bar and break it off.

Before you tear into it, if you can wait a bit let's see if we can get a GD rep to chime in.

GDRV-Emily , GDRV-Megan or GDRV-Mariah -- can you have one of the Reflection team members (or factory service guys) take a look at this thread and advise how the microwave is removed in his 2021 297RSTS? It appears there are bolts holding it from the top but can't figure out how to access them.

Howard

[GDRV-Emily]

Before you tear into it, if you can wait a bit let's see if we can get a GD rep to chime in.

GDRV-Emily , GDRV-Megan or GDRV-Mariah -- can you have one of the Reflection team members (or factory service guys) take a look at this thread and advise how the microwave is removed in his 2021 297RSTS? It appears there are bolts holding it from the top but can't figure out how to access them.

Howard

I have asked our team and hopefully will get an answer on it soon!

[GDRV-Emily]

I have some info. I apologize for the delay. They actually went out to the plant to see how this can work.

I have also added pictures

"Remove the 2 screws in the upper trim piece and that will give you access to the screws that are securing the microwave"

I hope this helps. If it does not, please tag me so that I may review and ask them more detailed information

[howson]

I have some info. I apologize for the delay. They actually went out to the plant to see how this can work.

I have also added pictures

"Remove the 2 screws in the upper trim piece and that will give you access to the screws that are securing the microwave"

I hope this helps. If it does not, please tag me so that I may review and ask them more detailed information

Emily,
Thank you for the pictures and description.

From the owners' pictures (post #12 and also added 1 below for your convenience) it looks like there's cosmetic trim covering the upper trim piece with the screws as shown in the pictures you provided.

How is the cosmetic piece attached--any way to remove it?



PineconeNW -- hope you're still following along.

Howard

[PineconeNW]

Still here. Not encouraging. The GD pictures are a little different than my camper. The GD plywood across the top is the same width as the oven or not as wide as the oven and I think that is why the screws are in a different place.
Your observation regarding my trim piece is accurate in that I wanted to remove it and could not find attachment points.
The screws in the GD picture do not look like they hold the unit up, they look to be going in horizontally, not into the roof.
Emily, you might want to scroll up to the original pictures which show where the screws go up through the cross member into the roof.

[GDRV-Emily]

Still here. Not encouraging. The GD pictures are a little different than my camper. The GD plywood across the top is the same width as the oven or not as wide as the oven and I think that is why the screws are in a different place.
Your observation regarding my trim piece is accurate in that I wanted to remove it and could not find attachment points.
The screws in the GD picture do not look like they hold the unit up, they look to be going in horizontally, not into the roof.
Emily, you might want to scroll up to the original pictures which show where the screws go up through the cross member into the roof.

when sent over to the reflection team, I did provide the pics. The info they sent is from that OP.

i have sent howson picture over and asked.

Please be patient as I wait their reply

[GDRV-Emily]

OK, so what we are being told is that you do NOT remove that piece of wood. There are 3 screws that hold the microwave up that are located BEHIND that piece. There should be some space, or a void between the wood and the micro. Those 3 screws SHOULD be up in that void area.

I hope this makes sense.

[ThePowells]

PineconeNW howson Mine is mounted to the plywood as shown in Emily's pics, and has three screws that are easily accesssable. I wish that we could also see the mounting base in a similar model without the microwave. From looking, I wonder if that trim piece also holds the microwave from moving forward and the plywood rests on mounts on the side. As for that trim piece, is it just trim or actually structural and removing it may cause the bedroom TV to fall down?

[howson]

ThePowells (Jerry) -- from Pinecone's picks it sure looks like that trim is right up against the face of the microwave. What I'd try is inserting a plastic (auto) trim removal tool between the two and see if I could gently pry the two apart far enough to find the screws. The screws have to be there -- the hard part is gaining access without destroying the decorative trim.

[Yoda]

Still here. Not encouraging. The GD pictures are a little different than my camper. The GD plywood across the top is the same width as the oven or not as wide as the oven and I think that is why the screws are in a different place.
Your observation regarding my trim piece is accurate in that I wanted to remove it and could not find attachment points.
The screws in the GD picture do not look like they hold the unit up, they look to be going in horizontally, not into the roof.
Emily, you might want to scroll up to the original pictures which show where the screws go up through the cross member into the roof.

howson



If you look closely at the trim piece I see two nail holes filled with putty. (left top of trim) So the trim should just pop forward. However the top wall trim will also probably need to be removed (top left) so the trim piece can come out. So look closely to the top trim and find out where they placed the fasteners and try to gently pry the top trim piece forward. I would use a flexible steel putty knife as the tool.

Just my thought on this. All the trim in my unit is applied this way - with pin nails and holes puttied.

Keith

[Jlawles2]

I don't have access to our 303 right now, and have never removed the microwave. But looking at the picture, it almost (big stretch here) looks like there is a bit of damage on the back side of the trim piece. This might indicate that someone used a long #2 Robertson to install screws through the small gap between the trim and the microwave. Part of this is based on the way several other things in previous units have been installed. At one time when doing custom wood work, I had a 2", 3", 6" 8" and 12" bits along with an 18" extension for reaching into places no one should be putting their hands.

[ThePowells]

Ya know what?? I don't think I see any S2 screws through the case, but there are screws through the "plate" above. Also, there is a piece of 2X3 spacer between the case and plate where the large screws are.
Maybe PineconeNW can back all of the screws out a bit, or put a support under the front and see if those are the screws are the ones that support the microwave.
Also looking at Emily's pics and the one Joesph jlawson75 mentioned, the staples, brads, or whatever they used to mount it would fasten to square piece on the front of the plate.
To bad Pinecone doesn't live in Pinetops or I'd run down there and try to look eyes on and try to help.

[PineconeNW]

Will drive over to the yard Saturday or Sunday and tear into it. Will take pictures. Will take Yoda's advice and take putty knives and other thin tools and see how gentle I can be. Will also take the pry bar. I still think it is glued to the roof. Wish I was retired. I previously took out all the screws I could find and 230 pounds could not pull it out or down.

[PineconeNW]