Samsung DW80K5050US – Door spring broken Repair Guide

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Model: Samsung DW80K5050US
Brand: Samsung
Model Number: DW80K5050US

🔍 Problem Description

Replace door spring and cable; adjust door tension

📋 What You’ll Need

  • Door spring
  • Door cable

    • 🔧 Step-by-Step Repair Instructions

      🔧 Step 1: Inspect door spring and cable

      1. Open the dishwasher door fully to a 90-degree horizontal position and prop it open using a sturdy object placed underneath, such as a wooden block or thick towel stack approximately 6 inches high.
      2. Remove the lower kickplate panel by pulling it straight toward you at the bottom edge – it’s held by 4-6 plastic clips along the top edge, no screws required.
      3. Locate the two door spring assemblies positioned on the left and right sides of the dishwasher base, approximately 2 inches inward from each outer edge.
      4. Examine the left spring assembly first: identify the metal cable (approximately 1/16 inch diameter) that runs from the spring mechanism upward along the door hinge.
      5. Check the cable for these specific failure signs:
      6. Inspect where the cable attaches to the spring housing at the base – verify the cable end is secured inside a metal crimp or ferrule fitting.
      7. Follow the cable upward to the door hinge area and verify it’s properly seated in the guide channel along the door frame.
      8. Examine the spring coil itself (approximately 1.5 inches diameter, 4 inches long when compressed) for these issues:
      9. Repeat steps 4-8 for the right-side spring assembly.
      10. Compare tension between both springs by gently pulling each cable downward with equal force – both should offer similar resistance and return smoothly when released.
      11. Success indicator: Both cables should be intact, rust-free, and both springs should show uniform coil spacing with no visible damage.

      🛠️ Step 2: Check door tension

      1. Open the dishwasher door to a 45-degree angle from the floor (halfway between fully open and closed).
      2. Release the door gently with your hand – the door should stay in place or move slowly without dropping quickly or springing upward.
      3. If the door drops rapidly toward the floor, the spring tension is too loose and needs adjustment.
      4. If the door rises upward on its own, the spring tension is too tight and needs adjustment.
      5. Close the door completely and locate the two spring tension adjustment mechanisms – one on each side of the dishwasher at the bottom corners of the tub.
      6. Remove the lower access panel by pulling the kickplate at the base of the dishwasher toward you – it’s held by plastic clips, no tools needed.
      7. Look at the left side hinge assembly – you’ll see a tensioned cable with an adjustment nut approximately 3 inches from the floor, connected to a spring mechanism.
      8. Count the number of visible thread coils on the cable adjustment rod above the nut on both the left and right sides – they should be equal (typically 3-4 coils exposed on each side when properly balanced).
      9. If the coil counts differ by more than 1 coil, the door is unbalanced and requires adjustment in Step 3.
      10. Perform the 45-degree door test again after visual inspection – hold the door at 45 degrees for 5 seconds, then release.
      11. The door passes inspection if it remains stationary or moves less than 5 degrees in either direction within 3 seconds of release.
      12. Note which side (left or right) needs tightening or loosening based on your observations for the next adjustment step.

      Step 3.

    1. Perform the 45-degree door test again after visual inspection – hold the door at 45 degrees for 5 seconds, then release.
    2. The door passes inspection if it remains stationary or moves less than 5 degrees in either direction within 3 seconds of release.
    3. Note which side (left or right) needs tightening or loosening based on your observations for the next adjustment step.

    ⚙️ Step 3: Replace door spring and cable

    1. Locate the left door hinge at the bottom left corner of the dishwasher tub where the door connects to the cabinet base.
    2. Use needle-nose pliers to grip the existing cable hook (small metal loop at the cable end) where it attaches to the door bracket approximately 8 inches up from the bottom hinge pin.
    3. Pull the cable hook straight outward away from the bracket slot until it releases—apply 5-10 pounds of force in a steady pull.
    4. Follow the cable down to the spring assembly at the hinge base and use your fingers to unhook the spring from the tension post (a metal pin protruding horizontally from the hinge bracket).
    5. Remove the old spring and cable assembly completely from the left side.
    6. Take the new left spring and cable assembly (Samsung part DD81-01569A) and hook the spring’s closed loop end onto the tension post at the hinge base—push until the spring loop seats fully against the post base.
    7. Pull the cable upward with 15-20 pounds of tension and align the cable hook with the rectangular slot in the door bracket.
    8. Insert the hook into the slot and release tension—the cable will pull taut and the spring will compress slightly when properly installed.
    9. Repeat steps 1-8 on the right door hinge, located at the bottom right corner.
    10. Verify installation by opening the door halfway—it should hold position without dropping or springing upward, and both cables should show equal tension with no slack visible.

    🔩 Step 4: Adjust door tension

    1. Open the dishwasher door to a 45-degree angle (halfway between closed and fully open). The door should stay in this position on its own when properly adjusted.
    2. Locate the two tension springs on the left and right sides of the door. Look at the bottom corners where the door meets the tub – you’ll see a metal cable attached to a spring mechanism inside a vertical channel.
    3. On the right side, identify the tension adjustment mechanism consisting of a white plastic cam wheel with notches, located 2 inches up from the bottom hinge point inside the side panel access area.
    4. Using needle-nose pliers, grip the metal tension cable and pull it taut to release tension from the cam wheel.
    5. While holding the cable taut with the pliers, use your other hand to rotate the cam wheel counterclockwise one notch (you’ll feel it click) to increase tension, or clockwise one notch to decrease tension.
    6. Release the cable slowly, allowing it to seat into the new notch position on the cam wheel.
    7. Repeat steps 4-6 on the left side spring mechanism, making the identical adjustment (same number of notches in the same direction) to maintain balanced tension.
    8. Close the door completely, then open it to the 45-degree position again. The door should hold steady without dropping or springing upward.
    9. If the door drops below 45 degrees, increase tension by moving each cam wheel one additional notch counterclockwise. If the door springs up past 45 degrees, decrease tension by moving each cam wheel one notch clockwise.
    10. Test the final adjustment by opening the door to 30 degrees, 45 degrees, and 60 degrees – it should stay in place at each position without assistance.

    đź“‹ Step 5: Test door operation

    1. Close the dishwasher door slowly until it reaches the point where the spring-loaded latch mechanism engages, approximately 10-15 degrees from vertical.
    2. Listen for two distinct clicks as the door latch engages—the first click occurs at approximately 20 degrees from closed, the second click at fully closed position.
    3. Pull the door handle outward with 5-10 pounds of force to verify the latch holds securely and the door does not pop open.
    4. Open the door completely to its full 90-degree horizontal position and release it—the door should stay in place without dropping or slowly drifting downward, indicating proper spring tension.
    5. Position the door at 45 degrees from vertical and release it—the door should either remain stationary or slowly lower at a rate of no more than 3-4 inches per second, not slam down.
    6. Press the Power button on the control panel located at the top edge of the door to activate the display.
    7. Select any wash cycle by pressing the corresponding button on the control panel and press Start/Pause.
    8. Observe that the door lock indicator light illuminates within 3-5 seconds, and listen for the door lock motor engaging with a soft whirring sound lasting 1-2 seconds.
    9. Attempt to open the door by pulling the handle while the door lock is engaged—the door should remain completely locked and not move.
    10. Press and hold the Start/Pause button for 3 seconds to cancel the cycle and unlock the door.
    11. Wait 5-10 seconds until you hear the door lock disengage with a soft click, then open the door to confirm it operates freely.
    12. Close the door again and initiate another test cycle, allowing it to run for 60 seconds to verify the door remains sealed with no water leakage visible along the bottom or side edges.

    đź›’ Recommended Products

    Here are the recommended products for this repair: