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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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

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

Plug the washer into the electrical outlet.

Return the washer to its original location.