September 20, 2015

How to replace a stand mixer worm gear

How to replace a stand mixer worm gear

This step-by-step repair guide explains how to replace the worm gear in a stand mixer. Located inside the lower cover, the worm gear turns on the inner edge of the stationary planetary gear to spin the attachment. If the attachment won't turn, the worm gear teeth might be stripped (the teeth are designed to strip if the drive system binds up, to protect other gears and the motor from damage). Replace the worm gear with the manufacturer-approved replacement part if the worm gear teeth are worn or damaged.

These repair steps show how to replace the worm gear in KitchenAid and Whirlpool stand mixers.

Quick links
Tools required
Work gloves
Drift punch
Hammer
Phillips screwdriver
Slot screwdriver
#1 square head driver
Putty knife
Shop towels
Rubber mallet
Repair difficulty
Time required
30 minutes or less
Repair difficulty
Time required
30 minutes or less
How to replace the worm gear in a stand mixer repair guide video.

Replacing a stand mixer worm gear video.

Instructions

  1. 01.

    Shut off the electricity

    Unplug the power cord.

  2. 02.

    Remove the end cover

    Remove the end cover mounting screw and pull off the end cover.

    PHOTO: Remove the end cover screw.

    PHOTO: Remove the end cover screw.

    PHOTO: Remove the end cover.

    PHOTO: Remove the end cover.

  3. 03.

    Remove the trim band

    Remove the 2 screws securing the ends of the trim band and remove the trim band.

    PHOTO: Remove the trim band screws.

    PHOTO: Remove the trim band screws.

    PHOTO: Remove the trim band.

    PHOTO: Remove the trim band.

  4. 04.

    Remove the pedestal

    Flip the mixer over onto a padded cradle.

    Loosen but don't remove the pedestal hinge pin setscrew.

    Push the hinge pin out.

    Lift the pedestal off the mixer.

    PHOTO: Flip the mixer over.

    PHOTO: Flip the mixer over.

    PHOTO: Loosen the set screw.

    PHOTO: Loosen the set screw.

    PHOTO: Drive the hinge pin out.

    PHOTO: Drive the hinge pin out.

    PHOTO: Lift off the pedestal.

    PHOTO: Lift off the pedestal.

  5. 05.

    Remove the planetary gear housing

    Remove the planetary drip ring by gently tapping it using a slot screwdriver and hammer.

    Using a 5/32-inch drift punch and hammer, drive the pin out that holds the planetary gear housing to the vertical center shaft.

    Use 2 slot screwdrivers to pry off the planetary gear housing.

    PHOTO: Remove the drip ring.

    PHOTO: Remove the drip ring.

    PHOTO: Drive the pin out.

    PHOTO: Drive the pin out.

    PHOTO: Pry off the gear housing.

    PHOTO: Pry off the gear housing.

  6. 06.

    Remove the bottom cover

    Remove the power cord from the bottom cover by sliding the molded strain relief out of the slot in the bottom cover.

    Remove the 5 screws from around the planetary gear.

    Remove the 4 mounting screws from the cover. One of the rear mounting screws has a lock washer. Remove the lock washer along with the mounting screw.

    Slide the 5/32-inch drift punch through the center shaft hole to help lift the bottom cover.

    Gently pry the bottom cover up while lifting the center shaft with the drift punch and remove the bottom cover.

    Set the bottom cover on a work surface.

    Transfer grease from the worm gear to the upper housing.

    PHOTO: Remove the power cord.

    PHOTO: Remove the power cord.

    PHOTO: Remove the planetary gear screws.

    PHOTO: Remove the planetary gear screws.

    PHOTO: Remove the cover screws.

    PHOTO: Remove the cover screws.

    PHOTO: Insert a drift punch through the shaft hole.

    PHOTO: Insert a drift punch through the shaft hole.

    PHOTO: Pry the bottom cover up.

    PHOTO: Pry the bottom cover up.

    PHOTO: Remove the bottom cover.

    PHOTO: Remove the bottom cover.

  7. 07.

    Remove the worm gear

    Remove the 3 Phillips screws and washers from the worm gear bracket.

    Pull the worm gear assembly up and off.

    PHOTO: Remove the screws and pull off the worm gear.

    PHOTO: Remove the screws and pull off the worm gear.

  8. 08.

    Install the new worm gear

    Position the new worm gear assembly on the bottom cover and line up the mounting holes.

    Reinstall the mounting screws and washers.

    Lubricate the worm gear assembly with grease.

    PHOTO: Install the new worm gear assembly.

    PHOTO: Install the new worm gear assembly.

    PHOTO: Lubricate the worm gear.

    PHOTO: Lubricate the worm gear.

  9. 09.

    Reinstall the bottom cover

    Insert the drift punch into the center shaft hole to help you lift the bottom cover and align the gears.

    Lower the bottom cover down into the upper housing, working the gears back into place by slightly twisting the center shaft.

    Once the gears mesh, lower the bottom cover fully down into the upper housing.

    Reinstall the screws around the planetary gear.

    Reinstall the cover mounting screws. On the rear mounting screw that includes the lock washer, reinstall the lock washer along with the mounting screw.

    PHOTO: Reinstall the bottom cover.

    PHOTO: Reinstall the bottom cover.

    PHOTO: Rinstall the planetary gear screws.

    PHOTO: Rinstall the planetary gear screws.

    PHOTO: Reinstall the bottom cover screws.

    PHOTO: Reinstall the bottom cover screws.

  10. 10.

    Reinstall the planetary gear housing

    Slide the planetary gear housing down onto the center shaft.

    Using the drift punch, align the mounting pin holes in the housing with the hole in the center shaft.

    Reinstall the mounting pin.

    Reinstall the drip ring by gently tapping it back onto the housing using a rubber mallet.

    PHOTO: Reinstall the planetary gear housing.

    PHOTO: Reinstall the planetary gear housing.

    PHOTO: Align the pin holes.

    PHOTO: Align the pin holes.

    PHOTO: Reinstall the mounting pin.

    PHOTO: Reinstall the mounting pin.

    PHOTO: Reinstall the drip ring.

    PHOTO: Reinstall the drip ring.

  11. 11.

    Reinstall the pedestal

    Position the pedestal on the bottom cover and line up the hinge pin holes.

    Reinstall the hinge pin.

    Tighten the hinge pin set screw using a slot screwdriver.

    Reinstall the power cord strain relief.

    Tip: Use a rubber mallet to tap the hinge pin into the pedestal if needed.
    PHOTO: Reinstall the pedestal.

    PHOTO: Reinstall the pedestal.

    PHOTO: Reinstall the hinge pin.

    PHOTO: Reinstall the hinge pin.

    PHOTO: Tighten the set screw.

    PHOTO: Tighten the set screw.

    PHOTO: Reinstall the power cord.

    PHOTO: Reinstall the power cord.

  12. 12.

    Reinstall the trim band

    Reinstall the trim band on the upper housing and secure it with the mounting screws.

    PHOTO: Reinstall the trim band.

    PHOTO: Reinstall the trim band.

    Reinstall the trim band screws.

    Reinstall the trim band screws.

  13. 13.

    Reinstall the end cover

    Position the end cover on the upper housing and line up the screw holes. Reinstall the end cover mounting screw.

    Warning: Do not pinch any wires when reinstalling the end cover.
    PHOTO: Reinstall the end cover.

    PHOTO: Reinstall the end cover.

    PHOTO: Reinstall the screw.

    PHOTO: Reinstall the screw.

  14. 14.

    Restore power

    Reconnect the power cord.

Warning: Undertaking repairs or maintenance to appliances or power equipment can be hazardous. Should you choose to undertake repairs or maintenance, you are assuming the risk of injury to your person or property. In an effort to reduce the risk, use the proper tools and safety equipment noted in the applicable guide and follow all instructions. Do not proceed until you are confident that you understand all of the steps and are capable of completing the repair. Some repairs or maintenance, however, should only be performed by a qualified technician.

Most common symptoms to help you fix your stand mixers

Choose a symptom to see related stand mixer repairs.

Main causes: bad wiring connections, faulty speed control plate, electronic control board failure…

Main causes: phase control board failure, wiring connection problem, faulty electronic control board…

Main causes: bad lubricating grease, mixer sitting idle for weeks at a time, mixer running constantly for more than 30 m…

Main cause: worn carbon motor brushes…

Main causes: bad worm gear, damaged planetary gear assembly…

Main cause: attachment clearance setting needs adjustment…

Main causes: lack of electrical power, wiring failure, worn carbon motor brushes, bad drive motor, tripped overload swit…

Most common repair guides to help fix your stand mixers

These step-by-step repair guides will help you safely fix what’s broken on your stand mixer.

How to replace a stand mixer worm gear

How to replace a stand mixer worm gear

Here’s how to replace the worm gear in your stand mixer if it’s worn or damaged.…

Repair difficulty
Time required
 30 minutes or less
How to replace a stand mixer phase control board

How to replace a stand mixer phase control board

The phase control board works with the governor and control plate to control motor speed. Replace the phase control boar…

Repair difficulty
Time required
 30 minutes or less
How to replace stand mixer motor brushes

How to replace stand mixer motor brushes

If the carbon brushes are worn and damaged, replace them using these steps.…

Repair difficulty
Time required
 15 minutes or less

Effective articles & videos to help repair your stand mixers

Use the advice and tips in these articles and videos to get the most out of your stand mixer.

How to enjoy all the online benefits we offer on our Sears PartsDirect website

How to enjoy all the online benefits we offer on our Sears PartsDirect website

Learn about all the convenient features on our Sears PartsDirect website that make your parts purchases easier.…

Wiring schematic symbols explained video

Wiring schematic symbols explained video

Learn some of the most common symbols found in a wiring diagram and what they mean.…

How to use a multimeter to test electrical parts video

How to use a multimeter to test electrical parts video

Learn how to use a multimeter to check for wiring problems in an appliance that's not working…