66512782K311 Kenmore Dishwasher - Instructions

Disconnect top screws
Pull dishwasher out halfway
Notice how the other side is connected
Thread cord, use pliers to pull spring to connect.

Replaced door balance link kit and door opens easy does not squeak or slam down.

My 2 yr old sat on the dishwasher door while it was open. It snapped both the links on the door causing the dishwasher door to drop every time it was ajar. It was a real danger to the kids or to anyone else unaware of the door given its weight.

I ordered the part from Part Select based model and some of the posts that it was something you can do yourself. Park Select was outstanding as got the part next day and got direction from others (thank you). I did not have either side of the door working so no real gauge but finally understood how it worked once I did a search online for a picture.

Recommendation: if both links (rope) are broken, you will need to hunt down the springs on side/back of machine. The part with small hole connects to the spring, the other to the door. Make a reverse S with the rope through the pully system for tention. I did not initially do the reverse S and the part popped of the door once I closed it. Otherwise, easy thing to do and certainly do not need a repair person.....if you need picture, do a search on dishwasher door pully system

Hardest part of job was sliding dishwasher out. Put in wood floors so limited free space. Had to lower fron foot pegs first, then remove 2 screws from top that held unit steady. Once dishwasher was out a good 16" cords were easy to replace. Did not replace bracket that came with kit. Cords attach to heavy duty spring.

My husband managed, with some difficulty, to finally replace the broken spring and associated door balance kit. He first ordered the spring from this site. Then, after he had laboriously rolled the dishwasher out about 12" - using flat pieces of wood as support, while he lowered the dishwasher onto his homemade rollers - he realized that the corded door balance kit was also broken. So he rolled the DW back in and ordered the part. This site sent an improved door balance kit, and then he went through the same process again. He had to fish the spring back all the way to the very back of the DW and hook it through a hole, using a rod and masking tape (bad DW design, he says). Then after he rolled it back, he noticed a leak in the incoming hot water connector, at the copper pipe compression fitting. Fortunately, a local plumber, with the right tool and expertise was able to quickly fix that problem. (The plumber explained that compression fittings commonly begin leaking if even slightly moved.) Bottom line: A+ for this site, C for KitchenAid design. He says he'd undertake it again, in spite of the hassle.

Remove power. Remove drain line from sink. Remove hot water line at connection. Remove 2 screws that hold dishwasher to countertop (on top). Pull dishwasher out. Find spring as it has shot to the back when the nylon cord link broke. Hook Spring back in. Attach cord loop end (hard plastic) to spring. Attach other end to door hook. Now stretch spring to loosen cord and slip around pully system. Push dishwasher back in and rehook all connections.

I've had to do this repair at least twice before over the last few years so I stand by my original assertion that the door "balance link kit" reflects very poor design. Well, maybe the design would be okay if the materials were not prone to breakage. However, a simpler spring-only mechanism would have been more reliable. The current design uses string embedded in plastic that latches to a hook area for both sides of the door (frame). The string is threaded around a hub and then to a spring that is in turn connected to the chassis at a rather distant point which also adds to the difficulty due to requiring greater access to the dishwasher sides. It would be much better if the repair could be done without necessitating removal of the entire unit from the cabinet cavity first. I noted that this time around there's been a redesign so that the hub is no longer a round fixed knob but now includes a rotatable wheel. So perhaps there'll now be less wear on the strings that with the prior design! -- D.A.D

Once the cord broke, the stainless steel door became very heavy (eventhough the other side cord/spring combo was intact). My order came within days. The repair kit came with two complete sets (left and right sides). The repair was simple. I used the unbroken side as a guide to fix the broken side. I used all parts from the kit. The part of the repair that required time was to disconnect the electric, plumbing and drain lines. In order to pull the diswasher from the cabinet. Just remember to turn the water back on when you are finished!

Thanks to all the people who video their repairs and such. Found the part number from whirlpool online resource then ask you tube for video of anyone who had this issue with this part and video taped their repair. Found video then went online to see where can I purchase this part. I chose Part Select. The part came in within a few days. Went back to video and watched as I replaced the part. Not one issue came up. If only all issues in life could be solved so easily.

Viewed the video and, Done!

Unscrewed bottom panel of the dishwasher and simply replaced the bad control switch with the new one.

Watched the video provided by this site on changing a dishwasher door seal and then replaced my seal as per video. Very simple task. I think the key point of installation is folding the new seal in half to get the midpoint and then inserting that spot first using door latch as midpoint guide and bring the seal around both corners to the bottom. Works perfect.

First I removed the two screws holding the dishwasher in place. Then I pulled the dishwasher forward from under the counter about 2 feet, attached the new part to the spring and pulley, then pushed the dishwasher back into place and installed screws.
PartSelect was awesome! UPS delivered to the wrong address and Partselect took care of it IMMEDIATELY! I have ordered more parts from them and no problems. I would DEFINATELY recomend them!

Remove two screws on retainer clips holding dishwasher to counter and pulled out dishwasher. Slide new nylon cord mounting clip into slot where old part is located, rethread the cord around pulleys and attach end to spring. Need pliers to pull and stretch spring. This was the hardest part of the job but not very difficult. Push dishwasher back into counter and replace the two screws into the hold down clips under counter top. Whole job took 20 minutes.

I removed the 2 screws that held the dishwasher under the counter. Pulled the dishwasher out and easily replaced the replacement link. I slid the dishwasher back under the counter and replaced the 2 screws. Everything now works as it should