Last time I tried, I ended up with three extra screws and a weird rattle. Still works though... for now.
That’s basically the universal sign of a successful DIY repair, right? I hear you on the vinegar—people swear by it, but I’ve seen those rubber seals get brittle too. Manufacturers never seem to mention that part. Honestly, half the time I think these appliances are just waiting for us to mess up so they can remind us who’s boss. At least you got it running again, extra screws and all.
Extra screws are just “bonus parts” at this point. I’ve had the same thing happen with my dryer—put it back together, found a couple pieces left over, and it’s still running two years later. Not sure if that’s luck or just proof that half the hardware is unnecessary.
About vinegar, yeah, it works for cleaning but I learned the hard way about those seals. Used to run a vinegar cycle every month until the door gasket started leaking. Had to replace that, which was a pain. Now I just use baking soda and hot water for maintenance. Seems gentler, and no weird smells.
Honestly, these machines are built to make you feel like you’re winning until something else goes wrong. But hey, if it’s running and not flooding the kitchen, I call that a win—even if there’s a mystery rattle.
Extra screws are just “bonus parts” at this point.
Man, I swear, if I had a nickel for every “bonus part” left over after a repair, I’d have enough to buy a new dishwasher by now. Last time I fixed my own, I ended up with a spring and a plastic clip that looked important... but it’s been three months and the thing still washes dishes (and occasionally makes a noise like it’s swallowing marbles). Maybe manufacturers just toss in extra hardware to keep us humble.
I hear you on the vinegar. People act like it’s the miracle cure for everything, but those seals are not fans. Had a client who basically dissolved his door gasket with weekly vinegar baths—he thought he was being proactive, but ended up with a puddle every cycle. Baking soda’s definitely safer, though I’ll admit I miss that “clean” smell.
Honestly, as long as the kitchen floor stays dry and the plates come out less crusty than they went in, I’m calling it a success. If there’s a rattle? That’s just the sound of victory... or maybe impending doom. Either way, beats paying for a service call.
If there’s a rattle? That’s just the sound of victory... or maybe impending doom.
That made me laugh—my dryer’s got a similar “victory rattle” and it’s been fine for years. I’m with you on the vinegar, though. Tried it once, and my door seal started looking sad real quick. Sometimes “good enough” is all you need, especially if the floor stays dry.
Sometimes “good enough” is all you need, especially if the floor stays dry.
- Gotta admit, “good enough” gets the job done most of the time. But about that vinegar—yeah, it’s a classic, but I’ve seen it chew up more seals than I care to count.
- If you’re after a quick fix, running a hot cycle with a dishwasher cleaner (the store-bought kind) can work wonders and doesn’t mess with the rubber bits.
- Rattles? Sure, they’re charming until something actually falls off. Had a client once who ignored a rattle for months—turned out it was a fork wedged in the spray arm. Whoops.
- Just saying, sometimes that “victory rattle” is your machine asking for help... or maybe just attention.
