Door Balance Link Kit 8194001

1) clear out the dishwasher
2) remove unit securing screws from top or sides of DW and cabinetry near the top or under the counter top
3) gently pull the dishwasher from the cabinetry about 20" is plenty, mind the connecting hoses and electrical connection
4) close the door! pull back the insulation from the area of the hinge and photograph both sides - this will save you the pain of going online
5) you will see the cord, the tensioning wheel assembly and the door balance spring on both sides
6) with the door closed to relieve tension on the cord, remove the cord from the balance spring - this can be done w/o tools at this point
7) remove the 5/16" screw from the plastic tensioning wheels and remove the tensioners, cord - leave the springs in place if not replacing them
8) install the door end of the cord to its hook on the hinge, install the new tensioning wheel assembly, install the old 5/16" self tapping screw through the lower wheel and into the outer hole in the frame
9) thread the cord from the door over the upper wheel and lower wheel. the lower wheel has cord retaining tabs to hold the cord on the assembly
10) hook the eye end of the cord to the balance spring and you are finished with the first side - repeat operations for the other side, reposition the insulation and slide the washer back in its cavity - do not forget to reinstall the stabilizing screws in the upper washer frame
11) you've done it!
12) have a cuppa and do your second washer that hasn't failed yet - it will soon.

One Spring and both Balance Link Kits were broken. The repair itself was incredible easy, especially after watching the repair videos. Maybe 2 minutes per side. The moderately difficult part was removing the water supply and drain lines. Our dishwasher is some distance away from the kitchen sink. The supply and drain lines are routed behind and through some lower cabinets making reconnection a bear. Finally used a wire coat hanger as a guide and was able to re-thread the lines through the cabinets. The dishwasher could not be removed from its cabinet without first removing these lines.

pulled the dishwasher out (took the most time-1 hour) and 30 min. to install new door balance kit and springs. Replace both sides while the unit was out.

replacement of the door balance cord very easy to. pulling the dishwasher out from the wall required plumbing disconnect which was much more difficult.

So after 4 yrs wifey not happy which makes me not happy. Biggest issue was figuring out how to pull built in dishwasher out. Not really that tough. Pull base plate, disconnect water supply, pull drain line then pull unit out. Ordered parts (two new springs, set of link kit, new dispenser). Once out just followed the PERFECT instructions sent to me with my order from PartsSelect. Took a couple hrs but I was in no hurry. Probably saved myself over $500!

Hardest part was pulling dishwasher away from cabinet, making sure to not disturb water and drain line. I replaced both door springs which are on the two sides and attached to the dishwasher frame towards the back. This necessiatated pulling the dishwasher about 2/3 out of cabinet. After attaching both springs to frame, replacing the balance kit was a breeze .One screw to remove and then replace with new pulley unit. Attach the supplied cord with attached fittings to spring and then around two pulleys and mounting point on frame. Done . Push dishwasher back into cabinet, reattach two screws to underside of counter. Probably did not require new springs as they seem heavy duty and were not broken upon examination but ordered them also and replaced just in case. Most problem would be with broken cord in balance link kit

Ordered the part. Called my son who brought over his toolkit. Played him the repair video on my iPad and he replaced both Door Balance Links. Door works great now.

Replaced door balance link kit and door opens easy does not squeak or slam down.

Followed a repair video.

I first went on line to the KitchenAid repair web site and found my problem listed and instructions given . This first of all led me to a parts drawing for my model and then to the site connection to order the parts and receive the instructions. The parts arrived quickly and the instructions were thorough and easy to follow. This was a good experience for me.