Kenmore Washer Door Boot Seal Replacement

ID: 221448

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

Steps:

1. Unplug the washer before removing any panels.
2. Turn off the hot and cold water supply valves.
3. Wear safety glasses and work gloves because the spring clamps can snap free and the panel edges can be sharp.
4. Removing the front panel makes this repair much easier for most beginners.
5. Use a screwdriver to remove the screws from the back of the top panel.
6. Lift the top panel off the washer and set it aside.
7. Pull the dispenser drawer out far enough to reach the screws behind it.
8. Use a screwdriver to remove the three screws behind the dispenser.
9. Use a screwdriver to remove the two screws along the top, one at each side of the control panel.
10. Lift the control panel, unsnap it from the metal frame, and pull it away from the washer.
11. Unplug the wire connectors and pull the harness back through the frame.
12. Pull on the connectors, not on the wires.
13. Tilt the washer back against a wall just enough to reach the screws underneath.
14. The washer is heavy, so keep it stable and don't work under an unsupported machine.
15. Use a screwdriver to remove the screw on each underside corner.
16. Pull the lower panel off the front of the washer.
17. Leave the door-lock screws in place unless you need to remove the lock for access.
18. Use a flathead screwdriver to pry the outer wire clamp out from under the front lip of the boot.
19. Pull the wire clamp away from the boot.
20. Use cutters to cut the zip tie on the small hose attached to the bellow.
21. Pull the hose out of the rubber boot.
22. Peel the outer edge of the boot off the front panel and push the boot inside the washer.
23. Use a screwdriver to remove the two screws along the bottom of the front panel.
24. Use a screwdriver to remove the three screws across the top of the front panel.
25. Lift the front panel off the washer and set it aside.
26. Keep the panel close enough to the washer that any attached wiring isn't pulled tight.
27. Locate the inner spring clamp around the boot where it attaches to the outer tub.
28. Hold the spring clamp firmly and pull it off the tub.
29. The spring can jump free as it releases, so keep your face and fingers out of its path.
30. Pull the boot off the lip of the outer tub.
31. Remove the old bellow from the washer.
32. Compare the replacement seal with the old one before installing it.
33. Find the small bump-out at the top of the new gasket.
34. Align that bump-out with the plastic tab at the top of the outer tub.
35. Make sure the bellow starts in the correct position before you seat it.
36. If the bellow is off by a few inches, remove it and realign it before installing the clamp.
37. Roll the inner edge of the gasket back with your fingers.
38. Push the rolled edge over the lip on the plastic outer tub.
39. Work around the tub a small section at a time until the gasket is fully seated.
40. Keep the gasket flat inside the washer and smooth out any wrinkles.
41. Check the full circle to make sure the bellow is seated on the tub lip everywhere.
42. This part can take several minutes, so take a break if your hands get tired.
43. Push the seated gasket inward to clear the clamp groove.
44. Set the inner spring clamp into the groove at the top of the tub.
45. Use a clip at the top of the tub, if available, to keep the spring from pulling the clamp down.
46. Work the clamp into the groove down both sides of the tub.
47. Hold the clamp with one thumb while using your other hand to stretch the spring.
48. The clamp usually gets easier to control after it passes halfway around the tub.
49. Continue stretching the spring and pressing the clamp into the groove around the tub.
50. If the gasket pulls off the tub, remove the clamp and reseat the gasket before trying again.
51. Use a flathead screwdriver carefully for leverage on the last section of the spring.
52. Keep the screwdriver tip in the groove so it doesn't slip and puncture the new bellow.
53. Confirm the clamp sits in the groove all the way around the tub.
54. Set the front panel back onto the washer.
55. Use a screwdriver to reinstall the three screws across the top.
56. Use a screwdriver to reinstall the two screws along the bottom.
57. Reinstall the door-lock screws only if you removed them earlier.
58. Keep the screws in their original positions if they differ in length.
59. Insert the small water hose into the port on the door boot.
60. Wrap a new zip tie around the hose connection.
61. Tighten the zip tie so the hose can't vibrate loose or leak.
62. Use cutters to trim the tail from the zip tie.
63. Roll the outer edge of the gasket back with your fingers.
64. Fit the gasket over the lip on the front panel.
65. Work around the door opening until the gasket is fully seated.
66. Check that the gasket lies flat and has no wrinkles.
67. If the gasket wrinkles, confirm the top bump-out is still aligned with the tub tab.
68. Position the outer wire clamp with its spring at the bottom of the door opening.
69. Hook the clamp at the top of the gasket.
70. Work the wire clamp around one side of the gasket toward the spring.
71. Hold the installed section in place while stretching the spring over the remaining edge.
72. Confirm the wire clamp sits evenly in the outer groove.
73. Reinstall the lower panel and the screw on each underside corner.
74. Feed the control-panel wires through the frame and reconnect the wire connectors.
75. Snap the control panel onto the metal frame and reinstall the screws behind the dispenser and along the top.
76. Reinstall the top panel and the screws at the back.
77. Open the water valves, plug in the washer, and run a short cycle while watching the new bellow for leaks.