How to Troubleshoot & Replace Whirlpool AP6013836 / WP9742945 Dishwasher Spray Arm Retainer Nut

Nylon bearing wore thin allowing excess slop in spray arm. Spray arm caught basket as it was pulled out. Retaining nut broke off. Removed remaining portion of nut from dishwasher, replaced both bearings and retaining nut. Happily washing again. It took longer to type this than it did to make the repair. 

This is a fairly simple fix: Remove the threaded part of the spray arm retainer from the pump and screw the new retainer into the pump. The difficulty is finding the replacement parts. My dishwasher is about 16 years old, but it is still a workhorse and cleans dishes very nicely. The only problem is finding parts to fix it. I really appreciate the availability of parts on the AppliancePartsPros site. I have bookmarked this site and this is the first site to which I will come for all my appliance parts. 

Checked the screen and it was clean. Ran a cycle with vinegar and that cleaned up the smell. While checking the screen I noticed the bushings were worn out. Found you drawing and ordered the parts. Replaced the parts, a simple job. Dishwasher is good. Kurt 

I attempted to tighten the existing spray arm retainer (screw), but it wouldn’t move - then broke in the next wash cycle. Luckily I was able to remove the broken screw from the base turning it with my finger inside it. I was able to easily locate the WPL parts number from the broken piece, confirm with online manual for the model number, and ordered both the retainer screw and the ring bearing - which I realized was not on for some reason. I spoke with a couple customer service people to confirm I was on the right track - both were very helpful. The prices were a little less than other appliance parts company I checked with. The two parts came fast and assembly took a minute, no tools needed. I saved money on repair and felt like a very accomplished Grandma. 

Simply put new one on and screwed it in place! 

Replace effected parts 

Easy 

I found the PN for this nut and even though many aftermarket replacement parts were available for a cheap price, there were all made in China. I wanted to buy an OE quality part, which was preferably made in the US. I ordered this OE part from ApplicancePartsPro, which was resonably priced by the shipping was excessively priced, at 137% the price of the nut. Normally that would kill the deal, but I absolutely hate doing dishes, so I went with this OE part, given that the original lasted as long as it did. It arrived in a sealed bag from Whirlpool (the manufacturer of Kenmore) and was identical in every way with the original. I secured the washing arm to the motor outlet with the new nut and the dishwasher was returned to service. 

Simple, simple job. Remove whatever bits of the old retainer are there and screw in the new one. Check to make sure the upper and lower plastic bearings are there and still in good shape. Mine were fine. All I needed to do was replace the retainer - five minute job and I'm back in operation. 

Replaced the radial ring bearing and spray arm retainer.