My Whirlpool/Kenmore dishwasher started making noises too. I removed the pump and discovered the seal had leaked and the front bearing had corroded, along with the shaft. It would have been nice to replace just the bearing, but it wasn't available so I replaced the entire pump motor and seal assembly at quite an expense. Now 2 years later it happened again, but this time I found the bearing. Only $10 at Grainger.com and they had it on the shelf. You can use grainger part number 1L001 or if they are out of stock you can use 1L035 which is about $3 more.

You'll need to tap the bearing & shaft out of the aluminum case, a few good whacks should set them free. Then the real challenge is getting the old bearing off the corroded shaft without breaking the delicate fins on either end of the armature. I sanded the corrosion off the shaft, then hit the threaded end of the shaft until the bad bearing bottomed out on the armature body and the bearing broke free. Then slide the new bearing on, tap the other end of the shaft to re-center the armature inside the stator, and you're ready to put it all back together.

I think this time I may use an extra washer under the seal in hopes it will prevent the unit from leaking onto the shaft so quickly. It's a lot of labor, but a $10 fix is still so much better than a $700 new dishwasher or even a $125 pump!

I just did this repair and you can use a bearing from NAPA as well part number 38-2ZJ

Thanks for this info. I just replaced the bearing and the seal, no trouble. But now the motor won't turn with power applied (both installed and uninstalled). Before installation, the shaft had some play along the axis of the motor. is that OK?

thanks for any advice. (I used the NAPA bearing)

No crap from old bearing. Motor spins with hand force--doesn't maintain inertia.

i think I may have messed up the position of the armature on the shaft--is there a specified location where it is supposed to sit?