January 01, 2016

How to replace the door boot on a front-load washer

How to replace the door boot on a front-load washer

This washer repair guide shows how to replace the rubber door boot seal on a front-load washer. This rubber seal is a flexible gasket between the door and the drum that prevents leaks. If the washer appears to leak from under the front panel, check the rubber door boot seal for a hole or rip. If you find that the washer door boot is damaged, replace it with a manufacturer-approved washer part.

These DIY repair steps show how to replace the door boot on Kenmore 796-series and LG front-load washers. You also can use the same basic steps to replace the washer door boot on some Samsung, Maytag, Whirlpool, GE, Amana and Bosch front-load washing machine models.

Quick links
Tools required
Slot screwdriver
Phillips screwdriver
1/4" nut driver
Inner spring clamp tool (part 383EER4004A)
Outer spring pliers (part number 383EER4001A)
Pliers
Socket wrench set
Work gloves
Repair difficulty
Time required
60 minutes or less
Repair difficulty
Time required
60 minutes or less
Replacing the door boot on a front-load washer

This video shows how to replace the door boot on a front-load washer.

Instructions

  1. 01.

    Shut off the electricity

    Unplug the power cord from the wall outlet.

    Wear work gloves to protect your hands.

    Have someone help you move the washer away from the wall.

  2. 02.

    Remove the top panel

    Remove the 2 screws on the back of the washer that hold the top panel.

    Pull the top panel toward the rear of the washer and lift it up and off.

    PHOTO: Remove the top panel screws at the back of the washer.

    PHOTO: Remove the top panel screws at the back of the washer.

    PHOTO: Remove the top panel.

    PHOTO: Remove the top panel.

  3. 03.

    Remove the control panel

    Remove the screw on the left back of the control panel.

    Pull the dispenser drawer forward until it stops.

    Release the locking tab at the back of the dispenser drawer and then pull it completely out of the dispenser housing.

    Remove the screws on each side of the dispenser housing.

    Unplug the wire harness connections for the control panel by pressing on the release tabs and sliding the connectors apart.

    Stand in front of the washer and lift up on the control panel to release the top.

    Pull the control panel off the washer.

    PHOTO: Remove the screw on the left back side of the control panel.

    PHOTO: Remove the screw on the left back side of the control panel.

    PHOTO: Remove the dispenser drawer.

    PHOTO: Remove the dispenser drawer.

    PHOTO: Remove the screws on the dispenser housing.

    PHOTO: Remove the screws on the dispenser housing.

    PHOTO: Unplug the control panel wires.

    PHOTO: Unplug the control panel wires.

    PHOTO: Remove the control panel.

    PHOTO: Remove the control panel.

  4. 04.

    Remove the front panel

    Open the drain pump filter cover at the bottom of the washer front panel.

    Remove the screw that secures the plastic pump housing to the frame of the washer.

    Remove the plastic pump housing.

    Remove the mounting screw from bottom of the front panel.

    Open the washer door.

    Use the outer spring pliers to expand the spring clamp and remove it from the door boot.

    Release the rubber door boot from the lip around the opening to the washer tub on the front panel.

    Remove the 7 screws from the top of the front panel.

    Close the washer door.

    Tip the top of the front panel forward and disconnect the wire harness from the door lock/switch assembly.

    Pull the front panel off the washer.

    PHOTO: Remove the pump housing screws.

    PHOTO: Remove the pump housing screws.

    PHOTO: Remove the pump housing.

    PHOTO: Remove the pump housing.

    PHOTO: Remove the mounting screw from the bottom of the front panel.

    PHOTO: Remove the mounting screw from the bottom of the front panel.

    PHOTO: Remove the spring clamp.

    PHOTO: Remove the spring clamp.

    PHOTO: Release the door boot.

    PHOTO: Release the door boot.

    PHOTO: Remove the screws from the top of the front panel.

    PHOTO: Remove the screws from the top of the front panel.

    PHOTO: Unplug the door lock switch wire harness.

    PHOTO: Unplug the door lock switch wire harness.

    PHOTO: Remove the front panel from the washer.

    PHOTO: Remove the front panel from the washer.

  5. 05.

    Remove the counterbalance weights

    Remove the bolts from the bottom counterbalance weight and pull bottom counterbalance weight off the tub. Repeat the process to remove the top counterbalance weight.

    PHOTO: Remove the counterbalance weights.

    PHOTO: Remove the counterbalance weights.

  6. 06.

    Remove the door boot

    Use pliers to release the spring clamps and pull the hoses off the door boot.

    Release the locking tab and unplug the wire harness for the drum light.

    Release the spring clamp using the inner spring tool.

    Pull the door boot off the tub.

    PHOTO: Pull the hoses off the door boot.

    PHOTO: Pull the hoses off the door boot.

    PHOTO: Unplug the washer drum light wire harness.

    PHOTO: Unplug the washer drum light wire harness.

    PHOTO: Remove the door boot inner spring clamp.

    PHOTO: Remove the door boot inner spring clamp.

    PHOTO: Remove the door boot.

    PHOTO: Remove the door boot.

  7. 07.

    Install the new door boot

    Transfer components from the old door boot to the new door boot.

    Position the new door boot on the front lip of the tub with the arrow tab at the top of the door boot at 12 o'clock. Make sure that the hoses line up properly.

    Work the door boot into the washer tub lip making sure to properly seat it around the entire tub.

    Position the spring clamp into the lip with the spring at 12 o'clock.

    Use the inner spring pliers to expand the spring clamp and work the bent end of the spring clamp into the spring-side eyelet.

    Plug the harness for the drum light back in. Make sure the locking tab snaps into place. Push the hoses onto the door boot connections and secure them with the spring clamps.

    Leave clearance between the hose clamp and the door boot to prevent rubbing.

    PHOTO: Transfer components to the new door boot.

    PHOTO: Transfer components to the new door boot.

    PHOTO: Reinstall the boot inner spring clamp.

    PHOTO: Reinstall the boot inner spring clamp.

    PHOTO: Plug in the washer drum light wire harness.

    PHOTO: Plug in the washer drum light wire harness.

  8. 08.

    Reinstall the counterbalance weights

    Reinstall the counterbalance weight on the bottom of the tub using the mounting bolts. Repeat the process to reinstall the top counterbalance weight.

    PHOTO: Reinstall the counterbalance weights.

    PHOTO: Reinstall the counterbalance weights.

  9. 09.

    Reinstall the front washer panel

    Position the front panel in front of the cabinet and reconnect the door switch wiring harness.

    Lift the front panel onto the frame and line up the mounting screw holes at the top of the front panel.

    Insert the 7 mounting screws at the top of the front panel and tighten them firmly.

    Open the washer door. Position the door boot properly around the lip of the opening in the front door panel.

    Secure the door boot with the spring clamp.

    Note: If you don't have the outer spring pliers, work the spring clamp onto the lip of the door boot by hand with the spring at 6 o'clock. Once you have the spring most of the way around the lip, attach vice grip pliers to the clamp on one side of the spring and pull the spring straight sideways to expand the spring and work the clamp the rest of the way onto the lip.

    Insert the screw into the bottom base of the washer in the opening for the pump housing and tighten.

    Push the drain pump filter housing to the front panel recess at the bottom of the washer.

    Reinstall the mounting screws and tighten it firmly.

    Close the drain pump filter housing door.

    PHOTO: Position the front panel in front of the cabinet.

    PHOTO: Position the front panel in front of the cabinet.

    PHOTO: Plug in the door lock switch wire harness.

    PHOTO: Plug in the door lock switch wire harness.

    PHOTO: Reinstall the mounting screws in the top of the front panel.

    PHOTO: Reinstall the mounting screws in the top of the front panel.

    PHOTO: Reinstall the door boot.

    PHOTO: Reinstall the door boot.

    PHOTO: Reinstall the spring clamp.

    PHOTO: Reinstall the spring clamp.

    PHOTO: Reinstall the screw at the base of the washer in the pump housing opening.

    PHOTO: Reinstall the screw at the base of the washer in the pump housing opening.

    PHOTO: Reinstall the pump housing.

    PHOTO: Reinstall the pump housing.

    PHOTO: Reinstall the pump housing screws.

    PHOTO: Reinstall the pump housing screws.

  10. 10.

    Reinstall the control panel

    Position the control panel on the top of the front panel.

    Reinstall the screws in the dispenser housing.

    Reinstall the screw on the back right side of the control panel.

    Plug in the wire harness connections for the control panel.

    Push the detergent dispenser back into the drawer housing.

    PHOTO: Reinstall the control panel.

    PHOTO: Reinstall the control panel.

    PHOTO: Reinstall the dispenser housing screws.

    PHOTO: Reinstall the dispenser housing screws.

    PHOTO: Reinstall the control panel rear screw.

    PHOTO: Reinstall the control panel rear screw.

    PHOTO: Plug in the control panel wire harness connections to the control board.

    PHOTO: Plug in the control panel wire harness connections to the control board.

    PHOTO: Reinstall the dispenser drawer.

    PHOTO: Reinstall the dispenser drawer.

  11. 11.

    Reinstall the top panel

    Push the panel down and forward to seat it on the washer frame.

    Reinstall the screws to secure the back panel. Avoid overtightening.

    PHOTO: Reinstall the washer top panel.

    PHOTO: Reinstall the washer top panel.

    PHOTO: Reinstall the top panel rear bracket screws.

    PHOTO: Reinstall the top panel rear bracket screws.

  12. 12.

    Restore the power

    Plug the washer into the electrical outlet.

    Return the washer to its original location.

Warning: Undertaking repairs to appliances can be hazardous. Use the proper tools and safety equipment noted in the 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 should only be performed by a qualified technician.

Most common symptoms to help you fix your washers

Choose a symptom to see related washer repairs.

Main causes: water heater failure, bad water temperature switch, faulty control board, bad water valve, faulty water tem…

Main causes: leaky water inlet valve, faulty water-level pressure switch, bad electronic control board…

Main causes: lack of electrical power, wiring failure, bad power cord, electronic control board failure, bad user interf…

Main causes: broken lid switch or lid lock, bad pressure switch, broken shifter assembly, faulty control system…

Main causes: worn agitator dogs, bad clutch, broken motor coupler, shifter assembly failure, broken door lock, suspensio…

Main causes: no water supply, bad water valves, water-level pressure switch failure, control system failure, bad door lo…

Main causes: bad lid switch or door lock, bad timer or electronic control board, wiring failure, bad water inlet valve a…

Main causes: clogged drain hose, house drain clogged, bad drain pump, water-level pressure switch failure, bad control b…

Main causes: unbalanced load, loose spanner nut, worn drive block, broken shock absorber or suspension spring, debris in…

Repair guides for front-load washers

How to replace a motor control board on a front-load washer

How to replace a motor control board on a front-load washer

The motor control board makes sure the motor spins in the right direction and at the right speed. You can install a new …

Repair difficulty
Time required
 30 minutes or less
How to replace the machine control board in a front-load washer

How to replace the machine control board in a front-load washer

If the machine control board is completely dead or won't activate the washer components properly, replace it by followin…

Repair difficulty
Time required
 45 minutes or less
How to replace the drain pump on a front-load washer

How to replace the drain pump on a front-load washer

Follow these steps to replace the drain pump if it's not removing water from the washer.…

Repair difficulty
Time required
 45 minutes or less

Effective articles & videos to help repair your washers

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

How to use your washing machine efficiently

How to use your washing machine efficiently

Find tips for using your washing machine efficiently to save energy and help reduce utility bills.…

How to repair broken or damaged wires video

How to repair broken or damaged wires video

Learn how to repair broken, frayed or damaged wires in your appliances.…

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…