MDB8959SFZ2 Whirlpool Dishwasher - Instructions

Pulled dishwasher and removed existing springs and attached rope. Ordered the part needed and replaced it somewhat easily. There is a lot of tension because of the spring on the door. Once part was installed we were ready to use our dishwasher right away. Even though the rope was broke on only one side - we replaced both sides.

After pulling the dishwasher out of the cabinet (2 screws held brackets to the underside of the counter - accessible when the door is open), I removed the broken link pieces, re-attached the springs and routed the link line around the pulleys. No need to re-set the spring tension as it was adjusted properly.

Was able to download a PDF manual from Sears for the dishwasher, so had the necessary information in the event adjustments were necessary.

I bought spare links as the dishwasher was less than 3 years old, and I expect them to fail again.

Removed 2 screws that held unit under counter. Slid diswasher out about half way; reattached metal spring in back and removed broken string. Attached replacement string to spring and threaded through wheels (copying other side), then attached string to door. Tada! Done. Will never pay a call-out fee again (for this problem anyway...)

Turned off power to dishwasher.
Removed screws from dishwasher retaining clips.
Pulled out dishwasher.
Removed broken rope.
Installed replacement and put everything back together.
Very easy repair. The spring is very strong and extra hand can be helpful, but not required.

1st pull dishwasher out. attach the new cable to the spring. reinstall the spring on the frame. Use pliers to pull slack in the cable to attach the cable to the door. The hardest thing about the install was putting the screws in the side of the dishwasher to the cabinets.

The video does a great job explaining the repair. I took the unit completely away from the wall and put it on its side, which I recommend. Only problem I had was getting the new part in the correct orientation to lock... try to pay attention to how the failed pump is facing when you remove it.

I ended up replacing the supply line as well as just moving it around caused a drip leak, guess it was about to fail. Pro tip: don't remove the old line until you have the new line in hand... but that's a story for another day.

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.

It has brackets that slipped right into the box. The hardest part was reattach the entire box to the side of my dishwasher.
I do feel anyone could do this 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.

remove the bottom plate with a nut driver and back off on the front leg adjusters. Slide out the dishwasher approx 8-10 inches and remove the broken link. The new one goes on easily. Look at the opposite side if in doubt as to how to attach. Slide the unit back in and tighten the leg adjusters until the unit is secure. reattach the lower front panel which hides the leg adjusters, etc. You're done!

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

The hardest part was pulling the unit out. Ours required the electric to be disconnected. First turn off breaker, then disconnect electric, then remove the 2 screws in the sides that keep it in place (located on top for non-stone counter). Slide unit out. Next remove the spring and connect the loop from the link to the spring. The other end of the spring goes in the hole next to the rear leg. Pull the string so there is enough slack to loop the spring aroung both pulleys and then slide the end over the hook on the bottom of the door. Use the other side as a guide. Slide unit back, hook up electric, replace mounting screws. Turn on breaker.

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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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!

The repair itself was relatively easy. I basically only had to remove the two screws that were securing the diswasher to the cabinetry, disconnected the water line and extended the diswasher out approximately 10 inches. I then replaced the part by hooking the new cable assembly to the spring and using pliers expanded the spring so I could snake the other end of the cable through the pulleys and attach it to the door. The otherside was my guide. This part should be modified to replace the two plastic ends with metal counterparts. This would allow the part to have a longer life especially in my case since the plastic end broke and not the cable itself.