How to change the handle on a washing machine?

How to change the handle on a washing machine Sometimes during operation of the washing machine the handle needs to be replaced. Breakdown most often occurs due to careless handling of household appliances. The situation is unpleasant, but everything can be fixed, just install a new part. If you do it yourself according to the instructions, changing the handle on the washing machine will cost mere pennies. Calling a specialist will cost much more; the price tag for the work is on average $15.

Is the handle complicated?

The structure of the washing machine door handle is quite simple. There are no electrics or electronics inside it, it is a mechanical part. So, unlike other washer malfunctions, replacing the handle is entirely within the capabilities of a home craftsman. The element consists of a spring, a metal hook, a pin and a plastic pedal.

Attention! In most cases, the pin or pedal breaks or the spring pops out.

The door handle works as follows. There are special grooves on the inside of the hatch body into which a metal pin is inserted. It, in turn, has a plastic pedal mounted on a spring. They are connected to a hook that directly opens and closes the door. When the pedal is pressed, it moves the hook, causing the hatch to open. how complex is the handle?

Removing and opening the door

To change the handle on a washing machine with your own hands, you need to completely remove the door. This is quite simple to do, but for a better understanding we will still describe the progress of the work. So, in what order should you act:

unscrew the bolts that secure the door;
carefully remove the hatch and place it with the inside facing up;
unscrew the remaining fasteners, this is necessary to get to the mechanism;
carefully divide the door in half (this must be done with a thin screwdriver and very carefully, otherwise it is easy to damage the latch);
remove the outer and glass parts.

You need to be especially careful when handling the sunroof glass, because it is heavy. In some inexpensive models of washing machines, it may have sharp edges that can easily cause injury. After disassembling the door, you can proceed directly to replacing the handle.

Replacing a broken element

After dismantling the door, you should inspect the faulty part itself. Carefully pry up the pin with a screwdriver and remove it. Disassemble the remaining mechanism and find the broken element. It is necessary to purchase a new spare part to replace it, and then put it in the right place.

To ensure that replacing the handle goes without any problems, take a photo of the arrangement of the elements before disassembling. It will help you later assemble the mechanism exactly. How to install a new part?

First install the spring, then the latch.
While holding the locking element, install the pin in place, but not completely, because you still need to install the handle itself.
When all the component parts are assembled, a pin is pushed through them.
After this, very carefully connect the halves of the door by inserting glass between them.
When the parts are connected, the lock will be securely fixed inside.
All that remains is to fasten the door with bolts and put it in place.

The most important stage is connecting the hatch halves. After all, it is necessary to ensure that the locking mechanism does not fall apart. If the parts move, the assembly will have to start again.