How to Troubleshoot & Replace Whirlpool AP4010226 / 12002533 Door Boot Seal

I watched how to videos on the internet, researched the best price for the needed part, ordered it, and installed it. I'm not really a mechanic but my wife is elated! I've saved replacement costs on several appliances recently using this repair method. One repairman actually told me my refrigerator was beyond repair. I spent $250 on a new control board and ice maker and saved $2500.00 in replacement cost. I also fixed our dishwasher for $13.00 and now our washing machine for about $50.00. Who knew? 

Ordered a new door boot seal and followed video on website. Was able to change it out very easily and quickly. Only part that took a little bit of time was putting the spring back on. 

I bought a new seal from APP. It arrived in 2 days (regular shipping). As soon as it arrived I removed the front door and panel and the 4 screws holding the top down (located in the detergent/bleach/fabric softener dispensing area). I removed the old seal, and put in the new one and the repair is perfect. The trickiest part of the repair is the circumferential wire tensioned by a spring that secures the boot to the drum. That may require a few tries if you are doing the repair yourself. If you have somebody else to hold things in place while you position and snap the spring on, it should go 1-2-3. Be sure that the new seal is positioned so that the drain is precisely at 6 o'clock and it is firmly massaged into place with good finger pressure to snap the "lugs" on the seal firmly into the corresponding holes. Make sure you reconnect the drain (6 o'clock position on the door boot seal to the hose with the spring clip provided. The use of an electric screw driver will speed this repair. Before you do the repair, make sure that the drum damper (shock absorber) does not also need replacing. It is much easier to do both at the same time, than to have to order a new shock absorber and open up everything again. If you don't know exactly what you are doing, there are many videos on the Web on how to do this.