How to Replace Gasket Spring on Kenmore Front Loader

Safety Precautions

• Before performing any repairs to your washing machine, it is important to disconnect the appliance's power source. The power source can be disconnected either by unplugging the appliance from the wall outlet or turning off the washing machine breaker in your home's main service panel.

Tools Required

• To remove the wire clamp and spring, you can use either a flat-head screwdriver or needle-nosed pliers. For Kenmore washing machines manufactured by Whirlpool, such as the Kenmore HE3 series, it is recommended that you use a flat-head screwdriver to remove the wire clamp and spring. If your Kenmore washing machine is manufactured by Frigidaire, it may be easier to use needle-nosed pliers. Kenmore washing machines with model numbers starting with 119, 253, 417, 587, 622, 628, 719, 791 and 970 are manufactured by Frigidaire. All other front-loading units are manufactured by Whirlpool.

Removing the Wire Clamp and Spring

• Open the washing machine door and locate the spring portion of the seal. The spring is often located on the bottom of the door, under the lip of the seal. Use either needle-nosed pliers or a flat-head screwdriver to pry the extend the spring, while pulling the wire clamp and seal away from the gasket to remove.

Installing the New Wire Clamp and Spring

• Hold the new wire clamp and spring so that the spring is on the bottom. Hook the top portion of the wire clamp into the groove on the top of the gasket and then work your way around the gasket, seating the wire clamp into the groove. Apply pressure on the spring using a flat-head screwdriver or needle-nosed pliers to extend it until the entire clamp and spring are in place.