How to change the door handle on a Bosch washing machine?

The quality of the plastic used to manufacture Bosch washing machine components is top-notch. However, the door handle is the Achilles' heel of German washing machines. Due to careless handling, the locking mechanism often gets damaged. Let's look at how to replace the door handle and what details to pay attention to.

The washing machine does not release the laundry

Most often, the door handle fails when attempting to open the machine. This means that the user, wanting to remove laundry from the drum after washing, is simply unable to do so. To open the door and remove items from the machine, you must:

• unscrew a couple of bolts securing the top cover of the Bosch washing machine, move the panel to the side;
• Carefully tilt the unit toward the wall. This will cause the drum to move back slightly;
• put your hand through the hole and feel for the lock;
• unlock the mechanism by moving the “tongue” to the side.

You can also open the door mechanically through the bottom of the machine. To do this, remove the drip tray (if present), insert your hand between the front wall and the tank, and release the lock.

You can also open the Bosch washing machine's drum door using a thin piece of string. Slide the string between the door and the machine body. Then, pull the string taut and press it against the latch. The locking mechanism should engage, and the door should open.

Some Bosch washing machine models are equipped with a special door release cable. It's located at the bottom of the machine, near the debris filter.

Accessing the drum after each wash using one of the methods described above is not practical; the door handle must be replaced.

Removing the door and removing the handle

Once the Bosch washing machine door is open, you can begin repairs. First, remove the broken plastic cover. The hatch handle cannot be repaired; you need to buy a working part for replacement. To select an element, you should provide the serial number of the washing machine at the store.

To remove the handle yourself, you need to:

• unplug the Bosch washing machine's power cord from the socket;
• close the shut-off valve;
• open the hatch;
• unscrew a couple of bolts securing the door to the hinges;
• place the hatch on a flat, horizontal surface so that the glass “looks” upwards;
• unscrew the screws holding the door halves together (using a Torx 20 key);
• Insert a flat-head screwdriver between the halves and pry them apart, working in a circular motion. Be careful not to apply too much pressure to avoid damaging the plastic components.
• press the lever that secures the door to the body (this is necessary for the final separation of the hatch halves);
• remove and set aside the top part with the glass.

We'll be working on the second, inner half of the door, where the locking mechanism is attached. In most cases, the handle lever, which is used to move the hook that secures the door to the washer body, breaks.

To remove the handle, you need to grab it from the front with one hand and press the hook with the other.

Once the mechanism lever disengages, push the handle upward until it disengages completely. At the same time, the edges of the handle, which have metal rods, will also "pull away" from the hatch. If you can't remove the part, re-examine the structure to understand its operation. Don't try to force the plastic part out; this will end badly.

Installation of a new part

Now you can begin installation. Insert the hook of the locking mechanism through the hole in the new handle, ensuring that the metal pins located along the edges of the plastic part are seated. The mechanism should "lock" into place. Now you can reattach the hatch halves by tightening the bolts.

After connecting the door parts, check the locking mechanism again. The handle should move the latch freely. If so, you can hang the door on the body. This completes your DIY Bosch washing machine repair.

   

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