Garbage Disposal Flywheel Is Stuck And Won't Turn? (Fix It Now!)
Garbage disposals are highly efficient appliances that save time and reduce waste. Although the units have reliable design, every appliance can have problems. One of the most common problems with garbage disposals is when the flywheel gets stuck. A stuck flywheel prevents the disposal from pulverizing food waste.
Remove objects with tongs or needle nose pliers, and run cold water for a few minutes. Replace the flywheel or the entire unit. Hard objects and certain types of food waste prevent the flywheel from turning. Corrosion is another reason why a garbage disposal flywheel won’t turn.
Fortunately, stuck flywheels can be easily fixed. Before we get into troubleshooting and making repairs, let’s look at how the flywheel in your garbage disposal works.
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How Garbage Disposals Pulverize Food Waste
If you open up the chamber of a garbage disposal, you will see a flat disc at the bottom. This is the flywheel. Three or four angled pieces of metal are attached to the flywheel with rivets. These are the blades of the disposal. A garbage disposal pulverizes food by rotating the flywheel. Rotating the flywheel spins the blades around their rivets, and the spinning of the blades pulverizes food waste.
What Causes a Stuck Garbage Disposal Flywheel?
Your garbage disposal won’t turn if a hard object or food waste gets caught in the flywheel or blades. Corrosion on the flywheel or blades will also prevent the garbage disposal from working.
What to Do If Your Garbage Disposal Flywheel Gets Stuck
The first fix to try when your garbage disposal flywheel gets stuck is to turn the flywheel manually.
Tools for the Job
Gather the tools that you need to turn the flywheel manually.
- Flashlight
- ¼” Allen wrench
Step 1: Clean Out the Cabinet
You will need some room to work when you try to manually turn the flywheel of your garbage disposal. Clear out the cabinet under your sink.
Step 2: Locate the Flywheel Turning Hole
Use the flashlight to find the garbage disposal flywheel turning hole. It is located on the underside of the chamber in the center.
Step 3: Insert the Allen Wrench
Put the ¼” Allen wrench in the turning hole. Make sure that the wrench is snug in the hole. If it’s loose, the wrench will come out when you are turning the flywheel.
Step 4: Loosen the Flywheel
When you first try to move a stuck flywheel, use a little extra effort, but be gentle. You need to loosen the flywheel a bit before you can rotate it. If the flywheel won’t budget, stop. Check the disposal for foreign objects and food waste that may be jamming the flywheel. Use a pair of tongs or needle-nose pliers to clear out the chamber.
Step 5: Rotate the Flywheel Back and Forth
The best motion to use when turning a flywheel manually is to move it back and forth slowly. This is better than turning the flywheel 360° because it loosens any debris that is jamming the flywheel.
Step 6: Turn on the Disposal
Turn on the cold water, and switch on the disposal. If the flywheel spins, the job is complete. If the flywheel doesn’t turn, or if the disposal makes noise, repeat the steps to manually turn the flywheel.
Other Problems with Garbage Disposal Flywheels
Garbage Disposal Flywheel Won’t Turn
If you try to rotate the flywheel manually with no luck, the issue is a bit more extensive. An object may be lodged between the chamber wall and flywheel. If you can’t remove the object with tongs or pliers, the unit needs to be dismantled.
Garbage Disposal Flywheel Keeps Getting Stuck
A garbage disposal flywheel that keeps getting stuck is a sign that you are putting the wrong type of food waste in the disposal or the unit is corroded. Make sure that you follow the manufacturer’s instructions for how to use your disposal. If you do, and the flywheel keeps getting stuck, replace the unit.
Garbage Disposal is Humming
A humming garbage disposal means that the unit is getting power, but the flywheel is not turning. The unit may be overheated. Let it cool down, and reset the red button on the underside of the chamber. If the garbage disposal will not turn, an object is stuck in the flywheel. Remove the unit from under the cabinet, and open it. Inspect the flywheel and blades for signs of damage. If the flywheel or blades are damaged, they need to be replaced. If the metal is in good shape, remove any objects that are jamming the unit.
Damage to the Garbage Disposal
Garbage disposals are pretty hardy appliances, but they are not invincible. Dents on the outer shell of the chamber and damage to the flywheel will keep the flywheel from turning. If the problem is with the flywheel, replace it. If the garbage disposal is dented, replace it with a new unit.
How to Replace a Garbage Disposal Flywheel
You can replace the flywheel of your garbage disposal to get it working again.
Step 1: Unplug the Unit
Unplug the garbage disposal from the outlet under your kitchen sink.
Step 2: Remove the Disposal Unit
Your garbage disposal is attached to the drain of your sink and the plumbing drain pipe. Remove the bolts that secure the disposal in place.
Step 3: Dismantle the Disposal
A garbage disposal has five main parts. The lower part is the motor, followed by the grinding unit, hopper, support ring, and flange. Remove the bolts that attach the grinding unit to the motor and hopper.
Step 4: Replace the Grinder Unit
Replacing only the flywheel of a garbage disposal takes quite a bit of effort. The best approach is to replace the entire grinding unit. You can purchase the part from an appliance store, hardware store, or directly from the manufacturer. Secure the new grinding unit to the motor and hopper.
Step 5: Reinstall the Garbage Disposal
Reinstall the garbage disposal, and secure it to the sink drain, plumbing drain pipe, and dishwasher drain tube. Plug in the unit, and test it. If you hear any noises, or if the flywheel does not turn, double-check your work. If replacing the grinding unit does not fix the problem, replace the entire garbage disposal.
Related Questions
How can I turn a garbage disposal flywheel without an Allen wrench?
You can turn the flywheel from inside the chamber. Use a thick wooden spoon that is long enough to reach the flywheel and give you a good grip on the spoon. Place the end of the handle next to one of the blades in the flywheel and gently press down. Push against the blade in a clockwise direction to move the flywheel. Once the flywheel is loose, put the handle of the spoon on the other side of the blade and push in a counterclockwise direction.
How can I prevent my garbage disposal from getting stuck?
Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for how to use your garbage disposal. Do not put hard objects down the disposal. Run the disposal at least twice each week, even if you don’t have food waste. Run cold water when you use the disposal. Clean your disposal every four weeks.
How do I remove an object that is stuck in my garbage disposal?
Never reach into a garbage disposal. Use tongs or needle-nose pliers to remove any objects or food waste that is stuck inside the chamber. If this does not work, the disposal needs to be dismantled to clear the jam.
How do I fix a garbage disposal that doesn’t pulverize food?
If the flywheel turns, but the food is not being pulverized, the problem is with the blades. You can fix the problem by replacing the grinding unit. You should not continue to use the garbage disposal. Large food pieces clog your plumbing pipes and damage the disposal. The problem can also lead to leaks in the disposal and pipes.
What can I do about a loose flywheel in my garbage disposal?
If you hear rattling or clanking coming from your garbage disposal, you may have a loose flywheel. Running a disposal with a damaged or loose flywheel is dangerous. The grinding unit may come apart, and flying metal causes a good amount of damage. Stop using the disposal, and replace the grinding unit or the entire disposal.
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What Did We Learn?
The flywheel of your garbage disposal spins to rotate the blades that breakdown food waste. Flywheels get jammed for many reasons. Hard objects jam flywheels, and putting the wrong type of food down the disposal can jam the unit. The easiest way to fix a stuck garbage disposal flywheel is to manually rotate it with an Allen wrench. You can also rotate the flywheel inside the chamber with a thick, long wooden spoon.
In some situations, repairing the garbage disposal is the only way to get it working again. Replace the grinding unit that contains the flywheel. If this doesn’t work, replace the entire unit.
Stuck flywheels can be prevented. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions. Remove hard objects right away. Run the garbage disposal at least twice each week, and clean the disposal each month.
Jennifer L. Eggerton loves being hands-on, whether it's with a home DIY project, making repairs, re-decorating a room, or keeping life organized. She enjoys helping people by sharing her knowledge, insights, and experiences, as well as her lessons learned. In addition to her work as a writer, Jennifer is a Jeep® overlander, self-published author, and nature photographer who loves being outdoors.
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