How to Replace Struts in a Whirlpool Duet

Rear Struts

• 1

  Unplug the Whirlpool Duet front-load washing machine. Turn off the water supply to the washer.

• 2

  Pull the machine far enough away from the wall to place a bucket between the wall and the washer. Twist the supply line hose connectors counterclockwise to remove them from the back of the washer. Lower the hoses into the bucket.

• 3

  Look for the hose clamp holding the drain hose to the back of the machine. Use pliers to squeeze the ends of the clamp together. Slide the clamp away from the back of the machine. Pull the drain hose off the back of the washer. Lower the drain hose into the bucket.

• 4

  Pull the washer forward until you can access the rear of the machine. Use a T-20 torx driver to remove the torx screws from the back panel.

• 5

  Find the four plastic covers protecting the shipping bolt holes. Slide a flathead screwdriver between the plastic covers and the machine’s rear panel. Pry the covers away from the panel until you can slip your fingers beneath them. Slide the covers to the left or right to remove them from the rear of the machine.

• 6

  Pull the bottom of the panel away from the back of the machine. Slide the panel from under the top of the machine.

• 7

  Remove the screws from the bottom support brace. Pull the brace from the rear of the machine to access the struts.

• 8

  Grab the top of the strut near the washtub with pliers. Rotate the top of the strut 90 degrees until the top of the strut lines up with the slot in the tub. Grab the top of the strut with your hand. Push the top of the strut toward the bottom of the washer.

• 9

  Twist the bottom of the strut 90 degrees to release it from the slot in the bottom of the washer. Lift the old strut from the machine. Repeat the steps to remove the remaining rear strut.

• 10

  Line up the tab on the bottom of the replacement strut with the slot cut in the bottom of the washer. Use pliers to twist the strut 90 degrees to lock it in place.

• 11

  Twist the top of the strut until the tab lines up with the slot in the washtub. Pull up on the top of the strut until the tab inserts into the opening. Use the pliers to twist the top of the strut 90 degrees to lock it in place. Repeat the steps to install the remaining rear strut.

• 12

  Reverse the Whirlpool Duet disassembly steps to replace the rear panel on the machine. Reconnect the washer to the power and water supply.

Front Struts

• 13

  Unplug the Whirlpool Duet washer from the wall outlet. Use a T-20 torx screwdriver to remove the torx screws from the bottom of the lower panel on the front of the machine. Pull the bottom of the panel away from the machine to release it from the washer.

• 14

  Grab the top of the strut near the washtub with pliers. Rotate the top of the strut 90 degrees until the top of the strut lines up with the slot in the tub. Grab the top of the strut with your hand. Push the top of the strut toward the bottom of the washer.

• 15

  Twist the bottom of the strut 90 degrees to release it from the slot in the bottom of the washer. Lift the old strut from the machine. Repeat the steps to remove the remaining front strut.

• 16

  Line up the tab on the bottom of the replacement strut with the slot cut in the bottom of the washer. Use pliers to twist the strut 90 degrees to lock it in place.

• 17

  Twist the top of the strut until the tab lines up with the slot in the washtub. Pull up on the top of the strut until the tab inserts into the opening. Use the pliers to twist the top of the strut 90 degrees to lock it in place. Repeat the steps to install the remaining front strut.

• 18

  Reinstall the front panel on the bottom of the washer. Secure the panel with the torx screws. Plug the Duet washer back into the wall.