MDB7979SHZ1 Maytag Dishwasher - Instructions

Pulled the dishwasher out and removed the plastic pulley on the bottom of the unit. Installed the new pulley. wrapped the string assy. around the pulley and attached it to the spring and reinstalled it to the back of the dishwasher. We discovered the front bracket on the dishwasher door was bent slightly causing the string to rub and probably is what caused the string to break. We bent the bracket back into shape and reinstalled the dishwasher in its cavity.

Ordered the part. Called my son who brought over his toolkit. Played him the repair video on my iPad and he replaced both Door Balance Links. Door works great now.

We pulled the unit out and were able to easily see where it broke. We replaced it relatively easy, pushed dishwasher back in; however, somehow the pump seal got broken in the process so now we have to replace the pump. This was totally unrelated to this repair - only can assume it happened when we pushed the unit back into place.

Turned water off. Removed dishwasher from under the counter, replaced hose, reinstalled dishwasher under the counter.

I watched my son as he pulled dishwasher out part way. The space was a little tight, but he did a fine job of replacing with a new string.

Step 1. Cut off water supply. Step 2. Remove two screws from bottom plate to remove the plate. Step 3. Check that drain line and power supply have enough slack to move the unit out from under the cabinet. Step 4. Remove two screws from top frame that secure the unit to the cabinet framing (note my counter-top is granite so framing goes across the top of the unit; so units are secured directly to the countertop). Step 5. Disconnect water supply line and place something, i.e., a plate, old towel, etc. to catch excess water in the supply line. Step 6. Lower leveling feet to provide clearance to remove the unit. Step 7. Pull unit carefully from under cabinet to access both sides so Door Balance Link Kit is accessible, checking for tension on drain line and power supply line (see Step 3.) as you are pulling out the unit. Step 8. Remove broken Door Balance Link Kit (pay attention to how the rope is positioned around the pulleys; using your phone to take a picture before you disassemble the kit is a good idea). Note-the replacement kit is different in design/appearance (not function) from the OEM part. This should be clearly stated in the "Description" paperwork accompanying the part but it is not. Step 9. Install the new Door Balance Link Kit exactly as the replaced one. It is important to note that there was no spring tension when the broken part was removed so re-attaching the part with the spring attached takes some strength because of the tension. I recently (9 weeks ago) had two brain surgeries; my right arm was paralyzed following the second surgery. Although I am recovering fine, I have not gained my hand strength back completely. I used a screwdriver to stretch the spring back to the attachment point which allowed me to slip the spring into the hole. If you have to use this method or a similar technique, use extreme caution. The spring is strong and if it slips could cause an injury or damage. I strongly suggest that while the unit is out that you replace the other (non-damaged) Door Balance Link Kit. It's had the same wear as the broken and its likely to break soon. Again, if you have the hand strength to remove the spring by stretching it to disconnect it, that is the best approach. But, if you do not have the hand strength, simply take a pair of channel-locks, grasp the end of the spring to stretch the spring to remove tension on the rope and hold it while cutting the rope. Release the tension on the spring and repeat steps 8 & 9 to install the second kit. Step 10. Move the unit back into position to attach the water supply line and then attach the water supply line. Step 11. Carefully reposition the unit back into place checking to make sure the water line, drain line, and power supply are not crimped. Step 12. Once in position, use leveling feet to raise the unit to its proper height while checking to make sure it is square/level. Step 13. Replace the screws removed in Step 4. Step 14. Run the machine through a quick wash before replacing the bottom plate to verify there are no water leaks, crimped hoses, etc. Step 15. Replace the bottom plate (see Step 2.).

Fairly easy. Undid the two screws on the kick plate. Then used pliers to undo the leveling legs and pulled the dishwasher out from under the cabinet. The dishwasher is hard-wired with extra electric cable. The drainage tube is flexible and there is extra so I did not have to worry about disconnecting anything. I then attached the new door cable link to the spring. Using the Needle-nosed Vise Grips I pulled the cable so I had enough to make the connection on the door piece. Done. Then I put everything back.

last time this piece broke, I called a tech and $150 to fix. I am not much of a do-it-yourselfer, but this was very easy. Removed to screws. I then pulled out dishawasher from cabinet. Removed plastic piece, replaced part, pushed dishwasher back and put in screws.

Easy, easy, easy. Appliances use to be built with metal parts that did not break as often.

Using Phillips screw driver, removed 2 screws at top of unit, slid it out from under counter. Removed and replaced both sides. The hardest part was to keep the blanket on the unit which I solved with duct tape. Slid the unit back in place and works fine. The repair man wanted $29 to come out and $150. To repair

Pulled dishwasher from under the counter and replaced the plastic part with the new part and attached the new cord to the door spring and to the replacement plastic part. replaced the dishwasher under the counter and replaced the kick plate. All Done.

Pull the two screws out of the counter top securing the machine in place, then pull out the dishwasher from the cavity and set it on it's face or door on a towel. Pry the clamp on the discharge hose to release/open it and pull the pump off the hanger and pull the suction line out of the well at the bottom of the machine. I reversed the process and installed the new pump sliding it on the hanger and squeezing the clamp on the discharge line. I tipped up the machine and ran it before pushing it back in the hole checking for leaks. I pushed it back in it's hole and installed the two screws above the door securing it to the counter top and I was done.

Easy. Just watched video.

Pry the old wheel assembly and snap the new one in place.

Look at the way that 3 remaining Wheel Assemblies were attached to rack, Then pop off the offending assembly and attach the new one. Less than 5 minutes.

Followed directions here. Extremely easy repair.