Replacing Whirlpool dishwasher door balance spring WP8270020

Is your Whirlpool dishwasher door unexpectedly heavy or dropping to the floor? You’re likely facing a faulty door balance spring, a frequent nuisance for many homeowners. Don’t worry—this simple repair is within your reach, and our step-by-step guide, complete with a handy how-to video, will help you fix it in no time.

Looking for the right part? Enter your appliance model number below to find the exact match and get your appliance running like new again!

If your Whirlpool dishwasher door drops down when you open it, the door balance spring (part WP8270020) may be bad. But no worries, this is a super common issue and something you can fix yourself. Grab a pair of pliers and let’s walk through replacing that spring and getting your door back to smooth, balanced action!

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.

WATCH: How to install a door balance spring

Gather your supplies

Replacing a dishwasher door spring is a straightforward job, but having the right tools and parts on hand makes the process smoother. Here’s what you’ll need:

• Phillips head screwdriver
• Flat head screwdriver
• Adjustable wrench
• 5/16″ nut driver
• Needle nose pliers or locking pliers

• New door balance spring: WP8270020. Take your model number to AppliancePartsPros.com to locate the correct part for your model.

• Flashlight 
• Rag or towel 

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.

Step 1: Remove the dishwasher

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.  

1. Open the dishwasher door to access the interior.
2. Using a Phillips head screwdriver, remove the two screws located on the top of the dishwasher frame. These screws secure the unit to the underside of the countertop.
3. Once the screws are out, locate the two locking pins on either side toward the top of the dishwasher frame.
4. Use a flat head screwdriver to turn each locking pin 1/4 turn in either direction. This will release them from the locking brackets.
5. Carefully pull the dishwasher forward a few inches, being cautious not to damage the water and drain lines connected at the rear.
6. Disconnect the water and drain lines if there isn’t enough slack to fully pull out the dishwasher. Use an adjustable wrench to loosen the water line’s compression nut.
7. Keep pulling the dishwasher forward slowly until it’s fully out from the cabinet.

Step 2: Remove the old spring

With the dishwasher pulled out, you’ll now have access to the door spring components:

1. Locate the coiled door balance spring on either side of the door.
2. Also, identify the spring mounting pin and surrounding insulation.
3. Using needle nose pliers or locking pliers, grab the spring and carefully twist and pry it off the mounting pin.
4. The spring is connected to the door via a door link cable. Detach the cable end from the old spring once it’s disconnected from the frame.
5. Remove any remaining insulation from around the mounting pin area.
6. Examine the door link cable for any damage. If the cable is damaged, the entire door hinge assembly may need replacement.

Now you’re ready to install the new replacement spring.

Step 3: Install the new door balance spring

Installation is easy after removing the old spring:

1. Hold the new spring next to the door link cable end.
2. Use needle nose pliers to grasp the spring and stretch it slightly. This makes it easier to connect it to the cable.
3. With the pliers, attach one spring end to the door link cable. Make sure it’s fully connected.
4. Take the other end of the spring and rotate it toward the empty mounting pin.
5. Stretch the spring around the pin and release it so it wraps tightly around the pin.
6. Replace any insulation around the base of the mounting pin.
7. Carefully pull on the spring to confirm it’s firmly attached to both the door link cable and mounting pin before moving on.

Step 4: Reinstall the dishwasher

Once the new spring is successfully installed, just reverse the process to put everything back together:

1. Push the dishwasher back into the cabinet, being careful not to snag any hoses or lines.
2. Reconnect the water and drain lines at the rear, tightening the compression nut with an adjustable wrench.
3. Make sure the drain hose, water hose, and power cord can all move freely without being kinked, pinched, or crushed.
4. Slide the dishwasher up so the locking pins fit into their brackets on the cabinet sides.
5. Use the flat head screwdriver to turn each locking pin 1/4 turn to secure them in place.
6. Install and tighten the two Phillips head screws through the top trim piece and into the underside of the countertop.

Step 5: Test and confirm repair

Before calling the repair complete, it’s crucial to test:

1. Turn the water supply back on at the shut-off valve.
2. Plug the dishwasher’s power cord back into the outlet.
3. With the door open, manually spin the wash arm and check for leaks around hose connections. Tighten if needed.
4. Run a test cycle with the dishwasher empty. Verify the door remains securely closed and latched throughout the cycle.
5. If no leaks or issues, the new door spring is working properly!

Wrapping up

Thanks for reading! We hope this article helped you replace the door balance spring in your 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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