Customer Questions and Answers for Bellow Tub Seal by Whirlpool

Mark, Taking for granted you're discussing the bellows and the front panel opening. " Using a small screwdriver or a pair of long-nosed pliers, pull the tension spring on the retaining wire out from around the front of the bellows, and remove the wire". The thing to remember is: make sure the spring is at the bottom of the opening (6 o'clock position), of course you need to be careful with the small screwdriver(don't puncture or scratch anything) Start at the top of the opening and roll the wire into the gap in the seal, when you get to the bottom, hold one side of the spring in place and stretch the spring enough to roll the rest of the wire and spring into position. Re check and make sure there are no wrinkles or creases on the inside and outside of the bellows.

Hello John. It sounds like the outer tub and the inner basket will need to be replaced on the unit. The bearings are bad.

Hello Maricela, The odor produced in the front load machines is the by-product of a bacterial action. This tends to develop more strongly in units where the customer only washes in cold water and uses very little if any bleach. The hot water and bleach actually kills the bacteria and prevents the formation of the odor. Excessive use of fabric softener adds to the issue since fabric softener is made of 80% to 90% animal fat. People who think they will cover the smell with the fragrance of the softener are feeding the bacteria and when the bacteria count spikes, the smell gets even worse. The bacterial action is not just on the door boot but on the entire inside of the unit, (outside of spin basket, inside of outer tub, sump and pump area, etc...). Of course there is no way to kill all of the bacteria, but it can be controlled by running either a sanitation cycle with hot water and bleach or white vinegar or by running at least two hot washes per week with bleach. You should run a sanitation cycle initially to help control the odor. You can also use one of the cleaners made for this purpose such as Affresh W10549845.

Jim, This may not be grease but a build up of fabric softner. You will want to do a clean cycle on the unit and use affresh W10549845 or washer magic TJ131 to clean. You can also use a white towel to wipe around the inner tub to see if you are getting any residue.

Hello A.B! Yes, the front bellow tub seal WP8182119 is held on by clamps. The rear clamp is part number WP8182210 and the front clamp is part number W10902779. Thanks!

Hello Tom, To replace the door boot you will have to remove the top, control panel, and the front panel of unit. We would need a model number to be able to assist with this. If you could also supply email we may be able to provide information. Please post your model number with a new question on the parts page. http://www.appliancepartspros.com/modelnumber_locator.aspx

Hello Charles. No, if the clamps are good on the unit, you will need to order and replace the bellow WP8182119 on the unit.

Hello Chris. You are not getting it seated properly when you are installing the clamp. You need to make sure the clamp is on the lip of the tub and the bellow is sandwiched between the 2 parts. These are not easy to install. Once the clamp is on, pull outward and rock the tub back and forth with the bellow and look for it to come off. If it does not, it is installed properly.

Alfonso, the front bellow for your model is part number W11106747. Thanks!

Hello Brenda, The best way to replace would be to remove the front. If you can get to it and remove it without then you can do it that way. This just makes it more difficult to get back on when done.