Kitchenaid Imperial Selectra 21

[rodneypierce]

OK guys, our house that we bought 3 years ago came with one of these bad boys. It never did work worth a hoot. Attached is a picture of the same model, from another archived post on this forum.
So, almost ready to buy a new dishwasher, I searched the internet and found this site. Last night I tore it all down, and cleaned all the lime deposits out of it, and opened up all the holes again, cleaned the screen (which was so dirty there was no way water was even passing through it). Ran it for a test run this morning, and MAN O MAN, this thing is like a new dish washer!!! And the fact that its over 20 years old and I was able to get every screw out without stripping or breaking, and it runs and now works great, just amazes me!! Glad I decided to tear into it before replacing it!! Now, my question is, the micro mesh screen is, well, gone. There is no more. And the following head has been discontinued:
http://www.repairclinic.com/PartDetail/Wash-Arm-or-Support/2033

Is there anywhere I can get a new one of these??? This is for the 22 series from my research, but they are alot stronger, and more durable then the 21 series heads. Any help would be greatly appreciated as I understand the screen is pretty vital to the dishwasher!!!

 

[rodneypierce]

I think I might have found another option. Stainless braided fine mesh with .007 string spacing from mcmaster car. Its 8.51 per square foot. Thinking I could cut this down and attach it using the screws.

 

[rp2813]

Hang on and Steve the Hobart guy will probably post some advice here. 

 

Beautiful machine, and well worth enjoying if it's not brain-dead.

 

[rodneypierce]

She works like a charm!! Everything on it works great, just never cleaned worth a hoot. Now it cleans so good that the ole lady called me this morning and said "ITS LIKE A NEW DISHWASHER!!!!!" She is ecstatic.

 

[toploader55]

"It's like a Brand New Dishwasher"

Welcome to AW.org

Good for you that you didn't give up. You've got a Great Machine.

Paging Dr. stevet...Paging Dr. stevet...

Hang in there Rodney, Steve will have the answer. He's our Resident Hobart Guy. He helped me with the restoration with my 1957 KitchenAid Portable right down to finding a Brand New Drain Valve.

Good Luck, Eddie

 

[rodneypierce]

Im going to bump this back up. Dr. Steve, where are you?

 

[combo52]

KD21 & 22 wash-arm supports

The screen always came with the WAS and the part in now NLA you may be successful in using very fine SS screen to reconstruct the missing screen or finding a good used or new part. I have several good used screens if you can't find one, I would charge $20 + shipping for one.

 

[rodneypierce]

combo, is it the entire support arm, or just the screen??? If its the entire thing, I might take you up on that!!! As mine is also missing the brass ring. Also, I assume for the 22 series eh?? I was reading that they are alot more durable then the 21 series, and usually dont have these problems.

 

[stevet]

Combo, the man!

Rodney, I responded to your email and forgive me for not checking to see that you are the person who mentioned McMaster-Carr. Don't bother fixing your old one.If the brass ring is gone, then the washarm support is trash. Get yourself one from Combo and enjoy that machine!
BTW, if you remove the control panel from the machine, there will be a good little service aid inside that will tell you how to troubleshoot the control board and how it goes thru its self diagnostics. I had picked up the same machine many years ago at the curb and it was pristine except that the board was fried and at the time it was over 600 bucks to replace.The person who trashed the unit had loads of broken glass in the sump and the motor got jammed on a large piece and the relay on the board burned the tracings and then the relay itself.

Needless to say, it became a standard mechanical machine and as far as I know, it is still running.

 

[rodneypierce]

Steve, will do! The machine is awesome!!!! Nothing better then the fact that i saved us several hundred dollars by just deciding to tear into it. Everything else on it works like a charm. No electrical gremlins (for now anyhow) and if combo hooks me up with a new (used) washer arm support with screen, the thing will be back to pristine. I also need to pick up a few of the "axles" for the wheels, as 2 of them are broken, but I found a link for them online for a couple dollars a piece.

The top spray bar had worn through on the bottom of it also, so the piece that kept it centered on the plastic shaft, was worm through and it was wobbling around badly. (sorry that I dont know the correct names for these pieces). I ended up turning down a piece of 1" 5052 aluminum bar stock to fit in the hole as a bushing. Turned it down to the outer diameter, which happened to be .873, put a 1/2 inch hole in the center and a small (.030) lip, and it is good as new now.

 

[stevet]

I got you covered!

Rodney, I have loads of wheels and axles you can have and are you talking about the actual upper washarm wearing thru? I have seen cases where they did actually wear away at the metal so it is not too uncommon for that to happen. It does tell us that the machine has been used alot, though! Or that your water is really hard and hard on everything it touches!
I have wash arms for you too so send me a shipping address and we can make some arrangement.
Steve

 

[rodneypierce]

Steve, sending you yet another email

 

[rodneypierce]

Well, heard back from Combo. Sounds like he might have a washer arm support for me, complete with screen!! Im so excited to get this bad boy back into pristine shape, as it is almost as old as I am. Within a year or two. And also thank you Steve for your generous offering in helping me keep this old girl running in top shape!!

 

[rodneypierce]

Steve, did you receive my email with my address??

 

[stevet]

yes!

I did, but worked late tonite so I am heading for the sheets. Will shout back at you tomorrow! BTW, how many wheels and axles do you need? And can you post or send a picture of the repaired wash arm?
Thanks
Steve

 

[rodneypierce]

Steve, no problem!! I have been having issues with my email not sending, so wasnt sure. I need 3 wheels/axles for the lower rack. I will try and post a picture tomorrow night of the upper wash arm repair. Amanda is currently running her new found dish washer, so I will try and take it apart quick tomorrow night when I get home and show you.

 

[rodneypierce]

alright, here is the repair.

 

[rodneypierce]

actual piece

 

[rodneypierce]

and fitted in the upper wash arm.