Frigidaire Front Load Washing Machine Door Boot Seal Replacement

ID: 221446

Description: [youtubevideo|hwRv9pU6Nlw]Use this guide to...

Steps:

1. Unplug the washer before removing any panels.
2. Turn off the water supply valves and make sure the drum is empty.
3. Wear safety glasses when removing the retaining springs, because they can snap loose.
4. Lay the screws out in removal order so reassembly stays organized.
5. Removing the front panel takes longer, but it makes this job much easier for first-timers.
6. Remove the screws from the back of the top panel.
7. Lift the top panel off the washer and set it aside.
8. Pull the dispenser drawer out far enough to reach the three screws behind it.
9. Remove the three screws behind the dispenser opening.
10. Remove the two screws near the top corners of the control panel.
11. Keep these screws grouped in removal order.
12. Lift the top of the control panel to unsnap it from the metal frame.
13. Pull the control panel away from the frame.
14. Disconnect the wire connectors from the control panel.
15. Pull on the connectors, not the wires, so you do not damage the harness.
16. Pull the control-panel wires back through the frame so they stay out of the way.
17. Tip the washer back against the wall to reach the screws underneath the lower panel.
18. Have someone steady the washer if it feels unstable.
19. Remove the screw on each side under the lower panel.
20. Remove the lower panel and set it aside.
21. Leave the door-lock assembly screws installed on this model.
22. You do not need to remove the door lock to replace the boot seal.
23. Electrolux-built Kenmore models may use different trim, but the door lock is handled the same way for this repair.
24. Open the washer door.
25. Use a flathead screwdriver to get under the outer wire clamp at the front edge of the boot seal.
26. Pry the wire clamp away from the boot and remove it.
27. Work carefully so the screwdriver does not slip and scratch the front panel.
28. Cut the zip tie from the small hose connected to the boot seal.
29. Pull the hose straight out of the rubber boot.
30. Secure this hose with a new zip tie during reassembly so it cannot leak.
31. Peel the boot seal off the lip of the front panel.
32. Push the loose edge of the boot back into the washer so it clears the front panel.
33. It is possible to change the boot without removing the front panel, but it is much harder.
34. Remove the two screws along the bottom of the front panel.
35. Remove the three screws across the top of the front panel.
36. Lift the front panel off the washer and set it aside.
37. Support the panel so the door-lock wiring is not strained.
38. Locate the inner retaining spring that holds the boot seal to the outer tub.
39. Hold the spring firmly and pull it out of the groove around the tub.
40. Keep your face and fingers out of the spring’s path as it releases.
41. Pull the old boot seal off the outer tub and remove it from the washer.
42. Find the small alignment bump at the top of the new boot seal.
43. Align that bump with the plastic tab at the top of the tub.
44. Check the alignment before pressing the boot onto the tub, because correcting it later means removing the seal again.
45. Roll the inner edge of the boot back with your fingers.
46. Push the rolled edge over the plastic lip on the outer tub.
47. Work around the tub a little at a time until the boot is fully seated.
48. Keep the boot lying flat inside the washer with no wrinkles.
49. This step takes patience and may require several tries or a second set of hands.
50. Push the boot slightly into the tub opening so you can see the full mounting groove.
51. Run your fingers all the way around the boot to confirm that it is seated on the lip.
52. If any section is loose, twisted, or wrinkled, reseat the boot before installing the spring.
53. Start the inner retaining spring at the top of the tub.
54. Use a clip at the top lip to keep the spring from sliding down.
55. Hold the spring in the groove with one hand and stretch it around the tub with the other.
56. Work the spring into the groove until it reaches the last section.
57. If needed, use a flathead screwdriver carefully for leverage on the final stretch.
58. Keep the screwdriver tip away from the rubber so you do not puncture the new boot seal.
59. If the spring pulls the boot off the tub, remove it and reseat the boot before trying again.
60. Set the front panel back onto the washer.
61. Reinstall the three screws across the top of the front panel.
62. Reinstall the two screws along the bottom of the front panel.
63. Push the small water hose back into the opening in the boot seal.
64. Wrap a new zip tie around the hose connection.
65. Tighten the zip tie so the hose cannot vibrate loose or leak.
66. Trim the tail off the zip tie with cutters.
67. Roll the outer edge of the boot back with your fingers.
68. Pull the boot over the front-panel lip using the same rolling motion you used on the tub lip.
69. Work around the full door opening until the outer edge is fully seated.
70. Check that the boot lies flat with no wrinkles.
71. If wrinkles remain, the boot is probably misaligned and should be reseated before you install the wire clamp.
72. Position the outer wire clamp with the spring section at the very bottom of the door opening.
73. Hook the wire clamp in place at the top of the boot seal.
74. Work the wire around the opening until you reach one side of the spring.
75. Hold the wire in place while you stretch the spring and seat the rest of the clamp.
76. Make sure the wire sits evenly in the groove around the entire opening.
77. Reinstall the lower panel with the screw on each side underneath the washer.
78. Feed the control-panel wires back through the frame and reconnect them.
79. Snap the control panel back onto the metal frame.
80. Reinstall the control-panel screws behind the dispenser opening and along the top edge.
81. Reinstall the top panel and secure it with the rear screws.
82. Turn the water supply valves back on and plug the washer in.
83. Run a short cycle and watch the door boot and the small hose for leaks.
84. If water leaks at the hose, unplug the washer and recheck the hose seating and zip tie.
85. If water leaks around the door opening, unplug the washer and recheck the inner spring, outer wire clamp, and boot alignment.