Whirlpool/Kenmore dishwasher impeller replacement

If you have the older style vertical motor with impeller and it will not come off, here is a procedure for this.
First thing, trying to torque the 1/4 inch screw off with a nut driver and vice grips is a bad idea, might just bust the screw off in the motor shaft.
Take a sharp wood chisel and gently pound down on the top edge of the impeller close to the screw. Crack it away from the shaft, then put penetrating oil on the screw and take it off. Works every time, just be careful not to pound down too hard, might damage the motor.

Moved to Dishwasher repair section and made it a “sticky” so that it always shows up at the top. Excellent advice, richappy!

richappy,

Saw your impeller removal advice but wish to remove the 1/4 screw, then replace after cleaning an obstruction. For that reason, I don’t want to crack the rubber washer. I’ve had a specialized nut busting solution on it for three days now so perhaps that will help. Do you know if the screw is REVERSE THREADED? Is it removed by turning clockwise?

Thanks!

I have NEVER seen a left hand thread on these, turn it counterclockwise to loosen it.

Is there really no way to remove the impeller without destroying it?

I’m trying to remove the impeller so I can get to the screws under it that hold the filter in place, it’s horribly clogged with hard-water build-up.

Nevermind. I did exactly what you said NOT to do and grabbed it with a pair of channel-lock pliers. The screw came right out. No problems. I guess I need to replace the filter though, doesn’t seem like it can be cleaned…

You where lucky, it was not seized, most of them are. Sometimes, if you twist it back and for a few times it will come off without breaking off. It shows some ability on your part to sense that it will not break off, good job.

Ok, so I have a broken screw shaft on the impeller. It came that way when I bought it used.

What is the part number, if possible, without ordering the entire thing?

You got the wrong dishwasher shown on ref. parts at Sears. Re-post your model # in the box so we can easily look it up.

Nope, not the wrong dishwasher, perhaps the wrong thread. Section of parts, labeled #22. I don’t want the entire motor assembly, just the very top part that screws onto the motor shaft.

If its cheap I’ll try to fix it and donate it since I already ordered a new unit for delivery.

AP Wagner site shows a sidewinder motor, not a vertical one.

[QUOTE=richappy;31833]If you have the older style vertical motor with impeller and it will not come off, here is a procedure for this.
First thing, trying to torque the 1/4 inch screw off with a nut driver and vice grips is a bad idea, might just bust the screw off in the motor shaft.
Take a sharp wood chisel and gently pound down on the top edge of the impeller close to the screw. Crack it away from the shaft, then put penetrating oil on the screw and take it off. Works every time, just be careful not to pound down too hard, might damage the motor.[/QUOTE]

Hi Richappy: Can you be more specific about where to pound on the impeller with the chisel? Also, once you’ve taken off the impeller, how do you hold the motor shaft still so you can unscrew the bolt? I’ve attached a pic just to make sure I’m talking about the right thing.
impeller.jpg (68.6 KB)

Simon,

Thanks for the response but I ended up canning the dishwasher and getting a new one…regretfully.

I’ve gotten to the same point at the previous post. How to hold other end to remove 1/4 bolt. I need a new idea.

Yeah, I’ve removed the pump/motor assembly and when I shake it something rattles around, so I want to disassemble it before I spend $200 on a new one. I’m eyeing those 4 torx bolts under the black impeller disk…

Yep, and they’re looking back at me. So far, its a stand-off.

What about holding on to those kind of fins underneath the motor so the spindle can’t turn? You think that would potentially end up screwing up the motor?

Sorry for the delay, you pound on the impeller near the 1/4 inch screw, that’s where it is rusted to the shaft. Also, there is a flat on the motor shaft that you can hold with an adjustable wrench while you carefully remove the screw. I use penetrating oil on it and work it back and forth till it get loose.

Does the motor have to come out to get to the flat spot on the shaft?

[QUOTE=richappy;189182]Sorry for the delay, you pound on the impeller near the 1/4 inch screw, that’s where it is rusted to the shaft. Also, there is a flat on the motor shaft that you can hold with an adjustable wrench while you carefully remove the screw. I use penetrating oil on it and work it back and forth till it get loose.[/QUOTE]
Thanks Richappy. Bottom line, there’s no way to disassemble the pump from the motor without destroying that plastic impeller disk thing?