KDI 17- door spring repair?

[petes99]

Hi all,

Our house (of a few years) has quite the 'vintage' kitchen. All the appliances work very well, especially the KitchenAid dishwasher (Imperial by Hobart). Its getting a little worn out - a peg rusted off a rack, and the plastics are getting a little brittle - but it really is a great machine. My only serious concern is the door spring(s?) recently let go. And WOW this is a heavy door.

Normally I wouldn't mind the door situation, but we have a toddler running around the house looking for trouble - and this door would be a bad thing for him to discover. He's already fiddling with the lock (which we used to keep it closed), so its only a matter of time!

So the question - how easy is it to replace the spring(s)? Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

pete

 

[chachp]

Here is a document on how to adjust those springs

It's really very simple. I can't find the part number for replacement springs but I'm sure someone on here can provide them and I bet you'll find them on eBay. I found a set for one of my KA machines.

This doc shows how to adjust them and I wonder if maybe one came loose or something. Maybe this will help you locate where they are and determine if they can still be used or need to be replaced.

 

[stevet]

Thanks, Ralph

I responded to this question with nearly the same diagram but as I was attaching the pics, my internet went down on me and it never got posted.Here we are, today, and you took care of it!
Steve

 

[petes99]

Hi guys,

Thanks for the diagram - definitely handy! I guess I need to back up a step though - how do I access the springs in the first place? Sorry!

pete

 

[stevet]

here you go...

start with the removal of the lower panel

Hope the pics come out!

 

[stevet]

Then access the springs

on each side of the door. They attach to the hinges and then the bracket on the frame

 

[petes99]

MUCH appreciated Steve!! I'll take a stab at this and let you know what I find.

The previous owner was great about keeping manuals - but this is the ONE I could not find

 

[bwjohn04]

Will other more common springs work?

The springs on my KDI-17 are completely missing. Do I really need the "vintage correct" part here or could a more common spring from eBay work just as well? I'm specifically looking at part #4160097. Anybody think that's worth a try? I'm just going by the looks of it.

Pardon Our Interruption...

 

[danemodsandy]

Ben:

Springs are of various weights, different strengths, etc. You might get lucky and find one that works perfectly. Then again, you might not be so lucky.

Your best bet for proper functioning of your dishwasher is to replace with the exact part if it is available at all.

You only have to have a KitchenAid dishwasher door fall against your legs once to appreciate how heavy and solid it is.

 

[stevet]

Correct part number

Use part number 81244 which will fit the machine in question. It is shorter than the one in the link which seem appropriate for the 18 and up units.

Hobart still sells them so you can get them at any local Hobart Office. Just order them by the part number. Don't say it is for your Kitchenaid machine. If they ask, tell them they are for your WM-1 Series undercounter machine. The list is 18.95 each. A bit pricey but you get the OEM item.
Hope this helps.

 

[bwjohn04]

Got some that work perfect

I pulled the old springs off my Whirlpool Quiet Partner III dishwasher that's out in the garage headed for the trash heap. Had nothing to lose, so I popped em off the "old" Quiet Partner and right into the "new" KDI-17. They work perfectly with no binding or rubbing. The door stays down when I want and comes up easily with no noise. Almost like they were made for it.