DIY Install Door Spring WP8270182 on a Whirlpool Dishwasher

Is your Whirlpool dishwasher door dropping open too quickly or struggling to stay balanced? A faulty door spring could be the culprit. Before you call for expensive repairs, check out our simple how-to video below and learn how to replace the spring yourself, restoring smooth operation to your dishwasher with ease.

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If your Whirlpool dishwasher door drops open too quickly or doesn’t stay balanced, there’s a good chance the door spring is broken or stretched out. The door spring, part number WP8270182, helps control the door’s movement so it opens and closes smoothly. When it wears out, you might notice the door feels heavier or slams down. Replacing it is a simple repair that can make a big difference in how your dishwasher functions. In this guide, we’ll walk you through how to replace the spring and get the door back in proper working order. Let’s get started.

Watch here: How to replace a dishwasher door spring

The information in this article may not apply to your specific appliance model. We recommend consulting your manufacturer’s documentation or contact us with any questions.

Safety first

When working on any appliance, remember to keep safety first. Here are some tips to keep in mind:

• Always power off and unplug your appliance or switch off the circuit breaker before you attempt any maintenance or replacement work. This keeps you safe by preventing any risk of electric shock. 
• If the appliance has recently been used, give it plenty of time to cool down before working on it. 
• Take your time while working to prevent accidents and personal injuries. Rushing is the enemy of precision.
• Work in a well-lit area so you can clearly see and access appliance parts.
• Keep your workspace free of clutter and other obstacles. Keep children and pets away from the work area.
• Never work on internal parts with wet hands. Make sure the work area is completely dry.
• Check the user manual to see if there are specific installation or safety instructions related to your appliance or replacement part. 
• Be gentle when handling or removing parts. Excessive force might damage the appliance or cause personal injury.
• Wear insulated work gloves to protect your hands from sharp metal parts and debris.
• When working with wires, avoid touching any exposed wires or terminals. If you need to touch a wire, use a non-conductive tool or wear insulating gloves to prevent electrical shock.
• Consider wearing safety glasses and/or a dust mask when working with chemicals, dust or a large amount of debris to prevent irritation or injury.
• Turn off the water supply at the outlet before beginning repairs. Keep towels ready to catch any residual water in the system when removing parts.

Tools and materials needed

Gathering the correct replacement Whirlpool dishwasher door spring and tools ahead of time will make this repair go smoothly. Here’s what you’ll need:

• Dishwasher Door Spring Part # WP8270182 – Take your model number to AppliancePartsPros.com to locate the correct part for your unit. 
• Flashlight 
• Phillips screwdriver 
• 5/16-inch nut driver
• 5/8-inch wrench
• Adjustable wrench
• Towels
• Gloves

Step 1- Uninstall the dishwasher

1. Place a towel under the fill hose and drain hose to catch any water left in the lines.
2. Use a 5/8-inch wrench to remove the water line.
3. Use the 5/16-inch nut driver to loosen the clamp. 
4. Pull the drain hose free.
5. Use a Phillips screwdriver to remove the screws along the top trim piece that anchors the dishwasher to the underside of the countertop. 
6. Grasp the dishwasher door and slowly pull the entire unit outward. Take care as hoses and wires emerge.

Step 2 – Remove the old door spring

1. Locate the door spring on the bottom back side of the opened door. It connects to a pulley cable.
2. Using gloves for grip, grasp the spring near the pulley and unhook it from the plastic cable guide.
3. Next, detach the opposite end of the spring from the metal door bracket.
4. Remove the old spring from the dishwasher.

Step 3 –Install the new door spring

1. Take the new Whirlpool door spring part #WP8270182 from its packaging.
2. Hook one end of the spring onto the metal door bracket.
3. Stretch the spring with needle-nose pliers toward the pulley cable guide.
4. Attach the spring’s opposite end firmly around the pulley cable guide.

Step 4 – Reinstall the dishwasher

1. Feed the drain and water lines back through their holes underneath the sink. Prevent kinking.
2. Align the dishwasher under counter and slowly push back fully into position. Make sure no lines get pinched.
3. Reattach water line to the inlet valve and tighten it with a 5/8-inch wrench.
4. Reconnect the drain hose using a 5/16-inch nut driver to tighten the metal clamp.
5. Replace the mounting screws through the trim piece into the underside of countertop.

Step 5 – Restore power and water 

1. Turn water supply back on underneath the sink so line is fully pressurized.
2. Restore electrical power by flipping dishwasher circuit breaker back to ON position.
3. Open the dishwasher door and inspect newly changed spring. Make sure it stretches and retracts as the door opens and closes without binding.
4. Run an empty wash cycle and confirm no leaks occur and cycle runs fully.

More information

Thanks for reading! We hope this guide helped you replace the detergent dispenser in your Whirlpool dishwasher. 

If you still need some replacement parts, grab your model number and head over to AppliancePartsPros.com. We offer over two million parts and most orders arrive in two business days. If you need some help with finding the right part or placing an order, you can contact our team at 1 (877) 477-7278.

While you’re waiting for your new part to arrive, you can explore our DIY blog and watch thousands of video tutorials on our YouTube channel.

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