How to Replace Broken Baffles in a Front-Loading Washing Machine

Disconnect the front-load washer from the power supply, and pull it out from the wall to access the rear of the machine.

Remove the screws from the top back panel of the washer to release the top cover from the machine. Pull the top cover off the washer.

Pull open the detergent dispenser drawer on the front of the machine. Depress the tab at the back of the detergent drawer to release it from the washer.

Remove the screws from the open detergent dispenser with a Phillips screwdriver.

Locate the screws behind the control panel holding it to the washing machine. Remove these screws with the screwdriver.

Pull the control panel off the front of the front-load washer. Disconnect the wiring harnesses from the control panel to release the panel from the machine if necessary. Lay the panel on top of the washing machine.

Open the door of the washer and remove the screws from the front panel holding the door lock in the door panel.

Find the spring on the wire retainer ring located on the outside edge of the door gasket. Grab the wire with needle-nose pliers and carefully pull the retainer ring from around the gasket.

Peel back the gasket from the door panel. Push the gasket away from the opening to access the door lock and its wiring harness. Push the door lock out of the panel.

Remove the screws along the front bottom of the washing machine to remove the bottom panel of the washer. Remove the Phillips-head screws from each corner of the front door panel.

Lift the door panel off the washing machine to expose the concrete weights above and below the washtub. Remove the nuts from the bolts that hold the weights to the washer with a socket wrench. Lower both weights to the floor.

Pull the soap and door sprayer tube out of the gasket. Pull the second wire retaining ring from the back of the gasket by loosening the screw holding this ring in place. Pull the gasket off the machine.

Remove the screws holding the back panel onto the washer. Remove the panel to expose the brace across the back of the tub. Remove the screws holding the brace to the washer to access the third concrete weight. Remove this weight from the machine and lower it to the floor.

Remove the belt from the tub and motor pulleys on the back of the wash tub. Remove the nut holding the pulley to the wash tub, then remove the green ground wire from the tub.

Pull the vent hose and the outlet hose off the wash tub, then remove the screw holding the pressure tube to the bottom of the tub. Turn the four shock absorbers 90 degrees to release them from the tub, then release the tension springs from the tub. Lift the wash tub from the washing machine cabinet.

Mark the position of each metal clamp on the exterior of the wash tub. Carefully pry each clamp from the wash tub with a flat-head screwdriver. Pull the exterior tub off the interior tub to access the baffles.

Look for the tabs on the exterior of the tub that hold the baffles in the inside of the tub. Release the baffles from the tub by squeezing the tabs together with pliers on the outside of the tub.

Reach inside the tub and slide the baffles toward the back of the tub. This will release the baffles from the wash tub. Slide the replacement baffles into the slots, then pull forward on the replacement baffles to secure them to the wash tub. Press down on the baffle tabs on the exterior of the wash tub with a flat-head screwdriver if they don’t snap into place.

Reassemble the front-load washer by reversing the disassembly steps.