Good morning everyone.
New to the site and forums.
I have a 2011 Tribute (model 8040). About a month or two ago, just into the heating season, I noticed the door wasn't staying closed properly. My first thought, and easiest solution, was to replace the gasket. It was about 5-6 (or more) years old. No problem with that. But the door still wasn't latching very well. I determined with a flashlight and magnifying glass that the "catch" on the cast iron door frame had partially broken off. I contacted my dealer and they offered to order a new frame but it runs $250-300. Way too much for me living on social security. My online searches were fruitless except that I found out that Hearthstone has updated the new frame. It is still cast iron but the catch is now steel since the old catches were prone to break. I took my frame to a local custom welding shop (they can weld ANYTHING) and they fixed it while I waited for $100. But the welder said the cast iron design was poor. He could see why it would easily break.
I contacted Hearthstone tech and asked them about this. It seems to me that this is a design and safety issue. If a log rolled against the door and knocked it open while I was away or asleep there could have been a fire. Personally, I think there should be a recall and replacement. But Hearthstone says no. The new frame "....is an improvement..." and "...any modification I did voided any warranty...." Again, personally, I think my "modification" was actually a repair. Hearthstone more or less quit communicating after that.
As it is now, the repair is working. I also adjusted the latch/handle assembly. The door is sealing and working very well.
Has anyone in this forum experienced this? If so, what did you do?
Thanks!
New to the site and forums.
I have a 2011 Tribute (model 8040). About a month or two ago, just into the heating season, I noticed the door wasn't staying closed properly. My first thought, and easiest solution, was to replace the gasket. It was about 5-6 (or more) years old. No problem with that. But the door still wasn't latching very well. I determined with a flashlight and magnifying glass that the "catch" on the cast iron door frame had partially broken off. I contacted my dealer and they offered to order a new frame but it runs $250-300. Way too much for me living on social security. My online searches were fruitless except that I found out that Hearthstone has updated the new frame. It is still cast iron but the catch is now steel since the old catches were prone to break. I took my frame to a local custom welding shop (they can weld ANYTHING) and they fixed it while I waited for $100. But the welder said the cast iron design was poor. He could see why it would easily break.
I contacted Hearthstone tech and asked them about this. It seems to me that this is a design and safety issue. If a log rolled against the door and knocked it open while I was away or asleep there could have been a fire. Personally, I think there should be a recall and replacement. But Hearthstone says no. The new frame "....is an improvement..." and "...any modification I did voided any warranty...." Again, personally, I think my "modification" was actually a repair. Hearthstone more or less quit communicating after that.
As it is now, the repair is working. I also adjusted the latch/handle assembly. The door is sealing and working very well.
Has anyone in this forum experienced this? If so, what did you do?
Thanks!
