How to replace Whirlpool dishwasher door spring link WP912653

Is your Whirlpool dishwasher door suddenly heavier or slamming unexpectedly? The culprit might be a worn-out door spring link, but fear not! With our step-by-step guide—and a handy how-to video just below—you’ll have your dishwasher door back in check in no time.

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If your Whirlpool dishwasher door is suddenly feeling heavier or slamming open, there’s a good chance the door spring link, part WP912653, is broken or worn out. This little plastic link plays a big role in keeping your door balanced and under control. The good news? You can swap it out yourself in no time. Let’s walk through the fix step-by-step so you can get your door working like new again.

WATCH: How to install door spring link

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

Safety comes first when working on any appliance. Here are some practical tips to help keep you safe:

• Always turn off the power by unplugging the appliance or switching off the circuit breaker before starting. This protects you from the risk of electric shock.
• Wear insulated gloves to protect your hands from sharp edges, pinching hazards, or debris.
• Take your time and work at a steady pace to avoid accidents or injuries.
• Make sure your workspace is well-lit so you can clearly see and access the parts you’re working on.
• Keep your area organized and free of clutter, and ensure children and pets are kept away from the workspace.
• Never handle internal parts with wet hands. Make sure both your hands and the work area are completely dry.
• Check your appliance’s user manual for specific instructions or safety guidelines related to your repair.
• Handle parts gently to prevent damaging the appliance or injuring yourself by using too much force.
• Wear safety glasses if you’re dealing with chemicals, dust, or large debris to protect your eyes.
• If the appliance was recently used, give it time to cool down before working on any heated components.
• Take photos or notes of wiring connections before disconnecting anything. This makes reassembly much easier.
• Avoid touching exposed wires or terminals. If you need to handle wires, use non-conductive tools or wear insulated gloves to reduce the risk of electrical shock.

Accessing the door spring link

Before you start any repair work on your appliance, make sure your appliance is unplugged from the power source or turned off at the circuit breakers. Also, make sure to turn off the water so there are no leaks. For this repair, you’ll need to pull the dishwasher partially out of its installed position under the counter so you can get to the underside of the door. Here are the steps:

1. If your dishwasher has a door latch, make sure to open the door fully so the latch is released.
2. Carefully grip the sides of the dishwasher door. You’ll want to pull it open gently to avoid stressing the door hinges.
3. Once the door is fully open, you can hold onto it to slowly pull the dishwasher away from the wall opening. Pull carefully and do not put excessive force on the door.
4. Pull the dishwasher out only a few inches, just far enough to access the underside of the door area. You do not need to fully remove the dishwasher from the cabinet.

With the unit partially pulled out, you should now be able to see the door spring links on either side of the door near the hinges.

Removing the old door spring link

Once you’ve accessed the underside of the door, you can begin removing the old door spring link. Follow these steps:

1. Locate the circular plastic door spring link on either side of the dishwasher door.
2. If the link is broken, it may already be detached from the spring and hinge. If it is still connected, use a flathead screwdriver to gently pry up on the link to pop it off of the hinge pin.
3. Then grasp the link and detach it from the hook on the door spring coil by twisting it and pulling away.
4. Remove the damaged link from both sides of the door. If one side is still intact, it’s a good idea to replace it anyway since the plastic material is prone to cracking over time.

Inspect the door spring coils after removing the links. If either spring is broken, worn out, or sagging, you may need to replace the entire spring assembly.

Install the new door spring link

Once you have both of the old door spring links removed from the dishwasher, you can install the new replacement links:

1. Take the new door spring link part and locate the small hole on one side and the protruding peg on the opposite side.
2. Face the side with the peg towards the door spring coil. Insert the peg into the hook on the end of the coil.
3. Rotate the link towards the hinge and line the hole up with the hinge pin. Push it down onto the pin until it clicks securely in place.
4. Repeat these steps to install the new link on the opposite side of the door.

Check that both links are fully seated on the pins and hooked onto the door spring coils. Give them a gentle tug to make sure they are properly attached and aligned correctly.

Reinstall the dishwasher

Once the new door spring links are securely installed on both sides, you can reinstall the dishwasher:

1. Carefully push the dishwasher back into the cabinet opening, sliding it back into position.
2. Open the door fully and check that there is no rubbing or catching on the sides from pushing the unit back.
3. Make sure the front panel of the dishwasher is flush with the surrounding cabinetry before securing it.
4. Use a Phillips screwdriver to reinstall any mounting screws that hold the dishwasher into the cabinet if needed.
5. Close the dishwasher door and make sure it latches properly. Test opening and closing the door several times.
6. Restore power to the dishwasher by plugging it back in or flipping the breaker switch back on.
7. Turn the hot water supply line back on under the sink or behind the unit.
8. Run a test cycle with no dishes inside and verify there are no leaks or unusual sounds.
9. Load dishes and run a full wash cycle to make sure you have normal operation.

More Information

Thanks for reading! We hope this article helped you replace the door spring link in your Whirlpool, KitchenAid, or Maytag 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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