Help! My Large BGE is sick :-( huge "underbite" following gasket replacement)

SomedayMommy

So yesterday I decided to replace my gasket on my Large BGE (2012). It lined up fine before then, but smoke escaped out the back. I didn't loosen the bands or anything in any way. I went to close it, and this bad underbite occurred. Never happened like this before.

See how the back is pushed waaaay back? Looks REAL wonky.

1. Do you think I just need an adjustment? (if so, think I can I pay someone to come out to help me)

2. Or do I need a whole new hinge, bolts, and bands?

     A. How much would that run me?

     B. What's the lead time on something like that (I do my Mad Max turkey, lead time is critical)

My white clips have no way of fitting. 

SomedayMommy

How can I post my pic? I attach it, but it doesn't show. *I figured out photo*

Carolina Q

Just drag it from your desktop into your post.

SomedayMommy

I was on my iPad when having trouble, I switched to Samsung phone and worked like a charm

smokingal

@SomedayMommy I'll let others chime in on what needs to be adjusted.  I can tell you that I recently purchased a new band assembly from my local dealer who had them in stock.  It ran me $119 including tax.  I haven't installed it yet but I anticipate having to deal with alignment issues when I do.

fishlessman

from the pic it looks like your upper band is loose and sitting too low. the top of the hinge bracket should be sitting level

Matt86m

If it is loose be careful when you open it!!!! The top can fall out of the band and hit the deck.

Look on youtube for adjusting bands on BGE

I need to do it to mine, after a very hot clean they  went out of whack.

SomedayMommy

@smokingal I understand the new assembly is much easier

GrateEggspectations

Instead of the white clips, just use zip ties to keep the assembly from springing open while you tinker. Cut them off once you’re finished adjusting. I keep a bag on hand for this purpose. 

Whirly

This is what I did to fix mine

1. Make sure bands are secure on dome and base
2. Open lid and disconnect springs
3. Close lid carefully, it will be heavy
4. Slightly loosen bands on dome and base, and loosen nuts that hold bands to hinge  
5. Adjust dome to be properly centered on base
6. Adjust top and bottom bands, up or down, to only show approximately 1/16th to 1/8th inch of green, between band and gasket, on the dome and also on the base. Sorry run on sentence
7. Tighten bands fully 
8. Adjust hinge to "original" "neutral" position. White clips are helpful. 
9. Tighten nuts on band to hinge. Keep top of hinge horizontal    Do paper test for gaps
10. Carefully open lid and reattach springs
11. Check for leaks

Good luck

SomedayMommy

Whirly said:

This is what I did to fix mine

That sounds great! I'm going to try that. I was fed up with it, so I said screw it and ordered a new unit, but I'm going to try this and maybe I can cancel my order!

fishlessman

SomedayMommy said:

Whirly said:

This is what I did to fix mine

That sounds great! I'm going to try that. I was fed up with it, so I said screw it and ordered a new unit, but I'm going to try this and maybe I can cancel my order!

have someone hold the dome open when you take the springs off, they pry off easily with the dome open

Ragtop99

i was fighting with dome. I couldn't get it anywhere close to fully open when cooking or to get the springs off. when I finally gave up, it magically opened enough to allow me to get the springs off.

I followed Whirley's instructions and used a rubber mallet to gently reposition the lower band. fingers crossed that it holds. works fine now, but the test will be when it heats up.

caliking

This is what I do- Don’t worry about it.

I spent a fair bit of time and effort trying to resolve the underbite issue. It hasn’t impacted my cooks (yet). So I’ve stopped worrying about it.

TexasRebel

Had the same issue. I loosened my bands and adjusted and tightened back down. There are also 2 or 4 (I forget and I'm not at home right now) acorn nuts on the back. Shut it, loosen those, and you can pull the dome from the handle and re-align. You have to pull pretty hard and I did it in a jerking motion. It will move.