MDB6949SDM1 Maytag Dishwasher - Instructions

Replaced door latch

snapped replacement part into place on the upper rack of dishwasher

Pulled the dishwasher out and took the two door balance links off and put the new ones on and attached to the spring. It was very quick and easy

followed directions, a kid could have done it,

Very, Very easy - watched the Installation Video highlighted on web page and the entire process took less than 5 minutes!

Removed lower kick panel and there it was on the left hand side. Removed the waterline and removed the mounting screws. Disconnected the inlet waterline into the dishwasher. Removed the bad inlet valve and replaced in reverse order.

Remove power source, then remove old power cord.Run new power cord through existing opening ang attach to existing power box on bottom o f dishwasher. Install electrical leads and device ground. Reinstall cabinet bottom. Check out operation by running a cycle. All ok!

Get a piece of stiff wire (medal close hanger) cut a Short piece and take a tool and roll a half circle on each end making the link length you need then attach the lanyard to the spring

repaired exactly as your video described......hardest part it getting unit out from under cabinet and back in.

Remove two screws then the two toe-panels. Use a flashlight to locate spring and the hole in the metal frame near back of unit about an inch off the floor. Look at opposite side of unit to see how the working link is routed. Place correct end of the link over one end of the spring and wrap a piece of tape around nylon clip and spring end (just to save frustration of having it fall off while you attempt to complete this task). Tie a loop in the end of each end of the piece of string you supplied. Loop one loop around the spring end with the link clip and feed the other end of the strings loop out the front of the dishwasher at the bottom near the lowermost pulley. Reach under the dishwasher and hook the spring to the frame. Keep tension on the string and feed the link cord out the front of the dishwasher near the front bottom near the lowermost pulley. Loop the exposed end of the self-supplied string around the center of the flashlight handle. Have an assistant pull firmly on the flashlight/string stretching the spring (not too much to over-stretch the spring, but give yourself a little slack too). Serpentine the link cord around the two nylon pulleys. Make sure the rope side of the link clip is toward the back of the dishwasher. Place the link nylon clip over the metal door lever and into the appropriate slot. Have your assistant slowly release tension on the spring/string. Reach under the dishwasher and remove the looped string from the spring end and remove the string. Replace the toe-panels. I did the right side this way, the left side is up against a wall and I might have had additional problems, but it is hard to say since I did not replace the left link. I thought this easier than removing the dishwasher, inlet and outlet as I have done that several times and it can be a pain as well. Good luck!

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.

For some reason I wasn't able to pull the dishwasher all the way out. Had my wife with a smaller hands and arms reached in and attached the spring with the link end onto the dishwaster anchor point. I then put on both nylon rollers. The link anchor point and rope went over the upper roller first. I then struggled and managed, with lots of pulling, to get the rope over the lower nylon roller. All went well with reattaching the water and drain lines. Plumbing in tight spaces is made for small people. This old body does not bend like it use too.
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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.).

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.

Video was great help. Replacing the balance parts was easy. My wife and I are in our 80's. Mobility is difficult when it comes to working on the floor. Between the two of us we spent the majority of our time just getting up and down,