Kenmore 18" Dishwasher Motor Shaft Seal

If the motor is installed, working, and not a problem you shouldn't have to remove it at all.

If the motor is loose or appears not centered then you would need to adjust the motor.

If all your replacing is the the seal you should remove the washer arm assem. and mounting stand.

Soak up any water or gunk that's in the sump with a sponge or wet vac.

Remove screw #27 and all the pump parts should come loose.

remove it carefully and look for spacers that may be between the parts.

Take pictures along the way after each part so you have a record of how the parts are ordered.

You should have to remove all the parts to get down to the seal.

The seal may be really stuck in there so it may be a struggle to get it out.

make sure water doesn't drip down onto the motor and damage it under neath.

You might benefit from using lime away depending on how gunked up the sump is.

once the sill is cleaned out you can install the new seal but be careful not to puncture the rubber parts.

the re-install the parts in the opposite order from the removal.


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Post# 1169067 1/10/2023 at 18:00 (471 days old) by zenithtv (Chicago, Illinois)
Checkrate/Likes I have a 2005 Kenmore (D&M design) 18" dishwasher that has a small leak that appears to be coming from where the motor shaft enters the machine. I assume the shaft seal should be replaced (part 36 on diagram). The service manual states that a special service tool (which I can find no source for) is needed to install the motor so that it is properly centered. It states the tool is also used to install the seal. Does anyone know if the motor needs to be removed to replace the seal? It appears that the seal is in two pieces, and the upper portion can be removed from the top with motor in place, but the manual is less clear regarding the lower portion. I have ordered the new seal, but haven't disassembled the machine yet. Photos... < > Photo 1 of 4 View Full Size

Post# 1169089 , Reply# 1 1/10/2023 at 20:37 (471 days old) by bradfordwhite (central U.S.)
Checkrate/Likes If the motor is installed, working, and not a problem you shouldn't have to remove it at all. If the motor is loose or appears not centered then you would need to adjust the motor. If all your replacing is the the seal you should remove the washer arm assem. and mounting stand. Soak up any water or gunk that's in the sump with a sponge or wet vac. Remove screw #27 and all the pump parts should come loose. remove it carefully and look for spacers that may be between the parts. Take pictures along the way after each part so you have a record of how the parts are ordered. You should have to remove all the parts to get down to the seal. The seal may be really stuck in there so it may be a struggle to get it out. make sure water doesn't drip down onto the motor and damage it under neath. You might benefit from using lime away depending on how gunked up the sump is. once the sill is cleaned out you can install the new seal but be careful not to puncture the rubber parts. the re-install the parts in the opposite order from the removal.