KDI-18 Wash Arm Pin

[Blazeword]

Since I was able to remove the entire pin by hand I opened up the wash arm support to see how it all went together. The pin has a knurled end where I assume it was originally pressed into the plastic housing but now that it is free it allows the weight of the wash arm to push it down through closing off the water supply path. I found a previous post from stevet detailing how the lower nylon bushing sometimes comes loose and water pressure causes it to close off the port but my bottom bushing seems secure. I am planning on using some epoxy to reattach the pin inside the plastic housing. The housing isn't cracked and when the pin in inserted it doesn't wobble. I assume the expansion and contraction of all the hot water finally caused it to come loose. I can see the marks inside the plastic housing hole where the pin was normally seated and it looks to be almost flush with the bottom of the plastic housing. I hope this fix will hold until I can get a replacement. I noticed most pictures I have found have a nylon upper bushing where the wash arm rests but mine is brass for some reason. I have posted some pics to show what I am dealing with.

 

[Blazeword]

Pin dropping down closing off port.

 

[Blazeword]

Pin protruding through bottom with weight of wash arm.

 

[Blazeword]

Plan on securing pin inside housing so that pin is flush with bottom. This is the spacing when pin is flush.

 

[combo52]

KD-18 washarm support

I have successfully epoxyed the shaft back into the Bakelite support housing on KA DWs before, so I would give it a try. When epoxyed in place with the washarm in place  the top of the shaft shaft should be even with the top of the washarm, let us know how it works out.

 

[Blazeword]

Thanks combo! What about the bottom of the housing should the pin be flush with that as well? I wish they still had replacement parts of this available. Repairclinic.com has some old KDI-18 parts but the wash arm support has been permanently discontinued. The machine is a great one and I would like to keep it alive as long as I can.

 

[Blazeword]

Pin flush at bottom?

 

[combo52]

KD-18 washarm support

It needs to be even on top with the wash arm in place, the bottom doesn't matter so much, in fact I think it is supposed to protrude down a little.

 

[stevet]

WASH ARM SUPPORT UPGRADE1

There was a small pushnut retainer on the shaft of the support pin on the original design of the washarm support. You will probably do fine epoxying it in place as John mentioned. I have a few of the original black supports but no brand new ones. I think John would be a better source for them. In my 18 sitting as a spare in waiting in my garage, I have changed the washarm out to the current design used by Hobart as seen in the next 2 pics.
Not an inexpensive upgrade but will work on any machine from the 18 thru 20 series. And boy does it really wash like crazy!

 

[stevet]

washarm support and pump housing pic 2

Here is the pump and support. The washarm is retained by a thumbscrew and the center shaft is nearly 1/2" in outside diameter! The support is retained by 8 not 4 screws to the lower pump housing as well. No warpage of the plastic on these parts!