Do-It-Yourself Story

Kitchen Aid dishwasher is 11 years old, and the tines have been rusting and biting the dust one by over the last few years. Rather than further destroy my dishes by abrading them with rust particles, I decided to get new racks. They are terribly expensive, and I pondered getting a new dishwasher. It wouldn't be that much more expensive. But I love mine and how well it washes. It has a stainless interior, and all of the seals are in excellent shape. I didn't need any tools. (Although I'm a woman, I have strong fingers, and I don't care about my fingernails. Other people might need a screwdriver for prying and removing clips). The top rack came alone, and I easily reused the clips from the old rack. I popped off the front track clips and pulled the rack out of the tracks. Took off the clips, removed the wash arm, and then re-installed those parts onto the new rack. They fit perfectly. (Pay attention to how the parts belong while removing, so you know how to put them back together! Snap a pic with your phone if you don't feel confident.) The bottom rack came with its own clips, but when installed, the clips stuck out too far on the sides, and the rack couldn't slide shut. There are some sort of ridges that stick out on the insides of my dishwasher -- right where the clips need clearance. Fortunately, the old clips (which are lower profile) fit the new rack, so I just used those. The old clips don't stick out as far on the sides, and they allow enough clearance to push in the rack past those ridges. NOTE, had to be careful with using old clips. They are OLD and they are cheap plastic. Can break if you're not careful. I was lucky, but IF one broke, I figured I could use a plastic zip-tie to secure a clip to the rack. Also, my old silverware rack fit perfectly in the lower rack. I didn't need to order any additional parts or clips. Didn't need to ask my husband for any help either. Cleaned up the interior and seals, and dishwasher is like new again!