How To Fix The Springs On An LG Dishwasher

Jessica Stone
by Jessica Stone

Dishwashers are undeniably a stroke of modern genius, effortlessly eradicating everyone’s least favorite household chore. However, since most households use their LG dishwasher on a daily basis, it isn’t uncommon for the door springs to eventually become worn out.

When the springs in your LG dishwasher break down, they need to be fixed or replaced; most often, replacement is the best course of action. If the issue is delayed for too long, you could cause unwanted leaks and possibly even more serious issues down the line.

The tension springs in your LG dishwasher are vital to the proper opening and closing of the dishwasher door. We’ll outline all the necessary steps to replace the springs and have your dishwasher door functioning just like new in no time at all.

Do You Need Appliance Repair Services?

Get free, zero-commitment quotes from pro contractors near you.

The Big Picture

Your dishwasher springs are a part of the hinge assembly of the door. The spring’s tension is essential to the door’s opening and closing, preventing the issue of a door that slams shut or drops open.

If your LG dishwasher door is not closing correctly, is quickly dropping open without any resistance or is heavier when closing, it’s very possible that one of the springs is broken. In this case, fixing the problem is a matter of replacing the entire spring.

To ensure that you have consistent resistance and control tension throughout the device, it’s recommended to replace both of the springs at the same time.

Engage in the following steps to effectively replace your LG dishwasher springs on the door hinge assembly.

Step One: Preliminary Safety Precautions

Before you begin the replacement of your LG dishwasher’s door springs, the appliance needs to be disconnected from the power source. At your home’s circuit breaker, switching to the Off position will completely shut off electrical power to the dishwasher. If you own an older home, you may have a fuse instead. In this case, simply remove the designated fuse from the fuse box.

Shutting off the electrical power will help prevent any possible electrical shocks while you’re working on the appliance. You can verify that the power has been effectively disconnected by checking that the display on the control panel cannot be activated.

In addition to cutting the power, you’ll also want to shut off the water supply to the dishwasher. This can be done by locating the water supply valve, either under the sink or possibly in your basement, and shutting it off.

For added safety when working with springs that have high tension, wear safety goggles. Also, to reduce the tension, and if possible, you can partially close the dishwasher door.

Step Two: Remove the Toe Panel and Front Access Panel

Once you’ve taken all the necessary safety precautions, you can begin the replacement of your dishwasher springs. Start by removing the bottom access panel and toe panel in the front of the appliance. Using a ¼-inch screwdriver, remove the screws that hold the panel in place.

With the screws loosened, you can pull the access panel and toe panel free from the dishwasher. Remove them completely and set them aside to be reinstalled later.

Step Three: Disconnect and Pull Out the Dishwasher

Next, you’ll need to locate the junction box on the front of the dishwasher. This is generally located right behind the front access panel that you just removed. Take off the cover to the junction box and detach the wires. Make a note of the position of the wires so that you can detach them easily after the replacement.

There will generally be two mounting screws in the brackets that hold the dishwasher in place within the cabinet opening. Unscrew these two screws and pull to release the dishwasher out from beneath the counter.

You’ll most likely have plenty of slack in the drain hose and water supply line to pull the dishwasher out far enough and perform the maintenance. However, it is recommended to disconnect the water supply line from the inlet valve to prevent floods. When you do this, have a bucket handy and be prepared for some water to spill out.

Quick Tip: Depending on your particular situation, you may not have to disconnect the electrical wires. If you have enough slack in the electrical supply wiring, you can pull out the dishwasher without the need to remove any wiring.

Step Four: Detach the Tension Door Springs

Pinpoint the door spring on the side of your LG dishwasher. If the spring is still intact, make a mental note of its position on both the front and rear brackets, or possibly take a photo. This will ensure the new springs are installed in the exact same position.

Take a set of pliers and use them to release the spring from the rear bracket. Once it’s loosened, you can completely detach the spring from the door hinge assembly at the front of the appliance.

Repeat these same steps for the door spring on the opposite side of the dishwasher. As a general note, these springs are under immense tension and you should use caution when handling them to avoid any injury to your hands.

Step Five: Install the New Door Springs

Using the reference image you gathered, install the new springs in the same position that the previous ones were attached. With your pliers, cautiously place the springs into the brackets at the back end of the LG dishwasher.

Step Six: Reinstall Your LG Dishwasher

With the new springs installed, you can now reassemble the dishwasher. Begin by carefully wedging the appliance back in place underneath the countertop. If they were previously removed, reattach the electrical wires in the junction box and replace the junction box covering.

Using the two mounting screws, secure the dishwasher in the cabinet by screwing them into the mounting brackets. To reinstall the toe panel and bottom front access panel, position the toe panel first. Place it on the dishwasher followed by the access panel directly in front of it. Replace the screws that held it in place and tighten firmly.

If you need any additional guidance during the reassembly of your LG dishwasher, refer to the installation manual.

Step Seven: Restore the Electrical Power and Water Supply

With the door springs replaced and the dishwasher reinstalled, all that’s left is to restore power and water to the appliance. To reestablish power, reset your circuit breaker or replace the fuse (whichever applies to you and your situation). For water, simply open the water supply valve and the water supply will be restored to the device.

Afterward, run a test cycle to test that the dishwasher is functioning properly. Also, look out for any possible leaks that may have occurred due to your replacement.

Wrapping It Up

When the door on your LG dishwasher is not closing correctly, or it has too much or too little resistance, there is an issue with the springs. These tension springs are very important to the proper operation of your dishwasher door.

Unfortunately, when even just one of them breaks or gets worn out, you’ll need to replace both. This helps to maintain consistent tension and resistance. Also, the springs aren’t a component that can be easily fixed. Replacing them is always the best course of action to correct any issues you’re having with the door.

So long as you perform all of the steps as they are outlined above, fixing the springs on an LG dishwasher should be a relatively easy task. You can expect it to take you only 20 to 30 minutes to complete, and that includes putting all your tools back!

Do You Need Appliance Repair Services?

Get free, zero-commitment quotes from pro contractors near you.


Related Questions

Are dishwashers worth it to repair?

The answer to this question will depend on the particular problem that the dishwasher is experiencing. If it’s a simple fix like a door latch, spring, or soap dispenser, a repair may be worthwhile. However, if it’s a larger issue that could cost you more to repair than what the dishwasher is worth, it’s probably not worth your time.


What is the average lifespan of an LG dishwasher?

You can expect the standard dishwasher to have a working expectancy of nine to 10 years. However, LG boasts that, depending on the model, your dishwasher can last you between ten and fifteen years before you need to completely replace it.


How do I adjust the tension on my dishwasher door?

This process will differ slightly based on the model of dishwasher you have. However, for plastic dishwashers, you can decrease the tension by moving the spring end closer to the front of the appliance. On the other hand, increasing tension involves moving the spring end closer to the back of the dishwasher. Either way, the door springs will remain in the same notches on both sides of the appliance.


Why is my dishwasher door suddenly heavy?

When your dishwasher door is unexpectedly heavier than usual, it means that you either have a broken, worn, or disconnected door spring or door link. The hinges are your dishwasher’s door use two springs and two doors links, one for each.

Jessica Stone
Jessica Stone

Jessica considers herself a home improvement and design enthusiast. She grew up surrounded by constant home improvement projects and owes most of what she knows to helping her dad renovate her childhood home. Being a Los Angeles resident, Jessica spends a lot of her time looking for her next DIY project and sharing her love for home design.

More by Jessica Stone

Next