KDFE104DBL4 KitchenAid Dishwasher - Instructions

Removed old rack and and removed old rollers and installed old rollers on new rack as they work better than the new rollers sent with new rack

A Mouse friend had seen fit to chew through the original drain line. I used my Model Number, and was able to order the correct part . It arrived the next day. The job itself is fairly straight forward. You will need to access the rear of the machine. This may include shutting off, and disconnecting the water supply line. (Adjustable wrench). Mine is under the sink, on the "Hot" side. You may also need to un-plug the unit. (recommended) . A pair of (Pliers) will be needed for the spring clamp.

The repair was easy. First remove the entire rack from the dishwasher. There are three clips that hold the rack adjuster in place. It's relatively easy to see how to loosen the clips to remove the old rack adjuster. I took a couple of photos before I loosened the clips to help remember where they belong. When putting the rack adjuster it's important to move the rack height adjustment release lever up and down until the vertical part of the rack adjuster easily slides into the slot in the upper rack bracket. Once the rack adjuster in in it's proper location replace the three clips removed at the start of the procedure. Place the rack back into the dishwasher.

Following a utube video made it easy. Removed the outer cover of the door to expose latch. Two screws remove the latch, pay attention to how it was positioned and put the new one on and then replace the panel. But first turn off the electricity to the unit at the fuse box.

First I removed everything off of the bottom of the dishwasher. Then I removed the main center piece that everything mounts to. Then I reinstalled the new center piece with the help of some evoo cooking spray (extra virgin olive oil) I sprayed it on the rubber seal to aid in getting that center piece installed without a battle. Then I reinstalled everything else in the reverse order that I removed it. The evoo cooking spray works wonders for more than just cooking !!!

push the 2 retaining clips back with my fingers and slide off the broken roller piece. Slide the new replacement 2 roller piece into place and push up until the retainer clips click and lock.

After bailing out the unit, filled filter hole with a moderate amount of Dawn dish washing detergent. Ran dishwasher twice to remove all Dawn from the unit. Had to bailout the water (and suds) from the washer both times. After the dishwasher finally drained I inserted the new filter..

It was easy to remove the old parts by using a screwdriver to push in “tabs” that kept retainer clips in place. Once removed, it was a matter of easy assembly in reverse and then re-clip. It became clear that the problem was because a few tabs that click into the sliding track and worn to the point where they no longer retained a tight connection to the track causing the upper rack to tilt with weight to front or back. Sure, the parts are a bit pricey but not when compared to a repair visit or a new KitchenAid which otherwise was functioning perfectly.

Removed old gasket, cleaned track thoroughly, then followed instructions from video on Part Select order form. Instructions very clear and precise. Getting the new gasket was a little tedious at the corners but take your time and work the gasket with your fingers as shown on the video.

1) clear out the dishwasher
2) remove unit securing screws from top or sides of DW and cabinetry near the top or under the counter top
3) gently pull the dishwasher from the cabinetry about 20" is plenty, mind the connecting hoses and electrical connection
4) close the door! pull back the insulation from the area of the hinge and photograph both sides - this will save you the pain of going online
5) you will see the cord, the tensioning wheel assembly and the door balance spring on both sides
6) with the door closed to relieve tension on the cord, remove the cord from the balance spring - this can be done w/o tools at this point
7) remove the 5/16" screw from the plastic tensioning wheels and remove the tensioners, cord - leave the springs in place if not replacing them
8) install the door end of the cord to its hook on the hinge, install the new tensioning wheel assembly, install the old 5/16" self tapping screw through the lower wheel and into the outer hole in the frame
9) thread the cord from the door over the upper wheel and lower wheel. the lower wheel has cord retaining tabs to hold the cord on the assembly
10) hook the eye end of the cord to the balance spring and you are finished with the first side - repeat operations for the other side, reposition the insulation and slide the washer back in its cavity - do not forget to reinstall the stabilizing screws in the upper washer frame
11) you've done it!
12) have a cuppa and do your second washer that hasn't failed yet - it will soon.

repair went smooth for the grommet. suggest a small of vasoline to ease installation of grommet

Hardest part was figuring out how to release and remove upper rack as mine did not match the instructions. After that is was tricky but not overly difficult. The instructions on-line did not make sense, but it all was fairly intuitive process. Take some before pictures, lol. Dishwaswasher works great.

Unplug dishwasher and slide it out from under cabinet. Remove old broken link (a heavy string between two plastic parts) and replace with new one. Slide dishwasher back and plug it in. Very easy and no tools required.

The old tine row came out easily and the new one was easy to pop into place. I was pleased that it was so easy to order a replacement part.

After finally getting the older wheels off, it was literally a snap putting the new wheel assemblies on. I still don't know the best way to get the old ones off, to be honest, but putting the new ones on was really easy.