KitchenAid KDI-21A washer arm

[bcorey]

While I'm waiting on a new motor (see recent thread), I haven't had much luck finding a new washer arm in the shoppers square.

 

My top arm has a broken ring and is loose.  I found this thread which talks about repairing them temporarily, but trying to understand if I should epoxy all the way around, or just in spots:

Kitchenaid KD-21 Superba Dishwasher

This dishwasher is probably 25 years old but it has always worked great and looks great in my kitchen because it's got the wood panel that matches my cabinets. I have the problem narrowed down to lower wash arm but they don't sell the replacement units anymore. It doesn't spin like it should...

www.automaticwasher.org

 

Basically, does the water need to get around the sides?  Is it supposed to be a tight fit?  I'm trying to understand why they made it this way in the first place.

 

Wondering if it's worth machining a replacement out of brass, bronze, or delrin with a tighter fit.

 

[bcorey]

Anyone?  And if anyone has a NOS/clean one they'd like to sell, I'd also be interested.

 

[coldspot66]

Can you post a pic of the old one? I may have a used one.

 

[bcorey]

Picture attached

 

[stevet]

More than a wash arm!

Your picture is of the wash arm support. And you actually need one of those as you are missing the brass ring that forms a bearing surface for the wash arm to spin on and seal the arm and prevent a downward leak when the pump is running. If the ring is missing, you can lose enough water pressure to prevent enough water from reaching the top arm and cause your dishware in the top rack to not come clean.

Did you mention in another post that you have the wash arm that the brass bushing came out of as well? If so, you need the wash arm and a new or good, used wash arm support to make the wash arm work correctly.

 

[bcorey]

The brass ring/bushing is what's missing in this picture and I did mention it in another thread.  I was going to fabricate another brass ring if I can't find a new arm.