How to Fix a Water Leak in a Frigidaire Affinity Front Load Washer

Unplug the power cord from the wall socket. Close the water shut-off valve, disconnect the water hose and pull the machine away from the wall.

Remove the two screws on the back of the washer securing the top of the machine to the rear panel with a Phillips screwdriver. Slide the top back, and lift it off.

Open the detergent dispenser drawer. Depress the tab on the back, and remove the drawer.

Remove the two screws inside the detergent drawer recess, together with the screw on the left of the opening and the two screws holding the top of the control panel to the machine. Pull the three plastic tabs securing the panel to the top of the washer out of their slots with your fingers. Lift the panel up, and fold it back on top of the machine.

Open the door, and peel the bottom of the door gasket up. Grip the exposed circular spring-loaded wire clamp with a pair of needle-nose pliers, and gently pull it out.

Peel the boot seal off the rim surrounding the door. Compress the lugs on the spring-loaded hose clamp surrounding the rinse tube on the top of the seal with a pair of pliers, and pull the tube out of the socket if applicable. Withdraw the light fitting on the right of the rinse tube out of its socket.

Raise the front of the washer by tilting the machine backward and supporting the right front corner on a suitable support block. Remove the four screws from the bottom of the front panel with the Phillips screwdriver, and lower the machine back down.

Undo the four Phillips screws on top of the panel. Lift the door panel, and pull it forward to detach the keyhole slots from the nylon lugs. Withdraw the wiring harness plug from the socket, and disconnect the door panel.

Grip the top of the defective boot seal, and pull it off the washer drum. Remove the spring clamp from the groove surrounding the rim of the boot seal, and discard the old seal.

Squeeze a small amount of liquid dishwashing detergent into the groove on the face of the replacement boot seal, and spread a thin layer around the groove with your finger to lubricate it.

Align the pointer on top of the boot seal with the tab on top of the drum. Start at the top, and work the groove on the face of the seal over the rim of the drum until it’s seated evenly all the way around the opening.

Insert the spring clamp into its groove on top of the boot seal. Stretch the spring slightly, and work it into the groove from the top of the drum all the way around to the bottom. When you’re about a third of the way around the drum, insert the two plastic wedges provided in the kit on both sides between the boot seal and the drum to prevent the spring clamp from slipping out of the groove while you’re working.

Inspect the boot seal to ensure that the spring clamp is seated properly. Push the light fitting into its tube on the top right of the seal. Insert the door glass rinse tube, and secure it with the hose clamp, if applicable.

Lift the door panel into place, and plug the wiring harness back into its socket. Align the keyhole slots with the nylon lugs, push the panel inward and lower it to hold it in place.

Secure the top of the panel with the four screws removed earlier. Tilt the machine backward, and replace the supporting block. Secure the bottom with the four screws removed earlier, and set the washer back down.

Feed the groove on the door seal over the lip surrounding the door opening. Stretch the spring-loaded wire clamp into its groove until it is seated neatly around the opening.

Pivot the control panel back down, slide the bottom of the panel into its slot along the bottom edge, press the top inward until the three plastic catches clip into place and slide the detergent dispenser drawer back in.

Replace the top, and secure it with the two screws removed earlier. Reconnect the water supply hose, and turn the shut-off valve back on. Plug the power cord back into the outlet, and push the washer back against the wall. Run the machine through a full wash and spin cycle to ensure that there are no leaks.