How to Replace Your Maytag Dishwasher’s Middle Spray Arm When Your Dishes Aren’t Clean

If the dishes on your upper dish rack aren’t getting clean, check the middle spray arm below the dish rack. It may have cracks or irremovable clogs in the jets. If that’s the case, order a new middle spray arm for your Maytag dishwasher (part #WPW10498900 for most dishwasher models) and follow these steps:

1. Unplug your dishwasher.

Always unplug your dishwasher before you install new parts. While this part doesn’t involve any electrical components directly, it’s still an important safety step to keep yourself and the appliance safe.

2. Remove the old middle spray arm.

First, open the dishwasher door and extend the upper dish rack.

Next, reach underneath the middle of the upper dish rack. Find and remove the screw in the middle of the spray arm that attaches the part to the manifold tube and the dish rack. As you remove the screw, make sure you support the arm and manifold tube with your other hand so nothing falls.

Next, slightly bend down the manifold tube just enough so you can pull the spray arm down from the shaft attached to the dish rack and up off the housing.

Look inside the center ring of the spray arm and remove the white circular seal. Set it on the housing of the manifold tube.

Then set the old spray arm aside.

3. Install the new middle spray arm.

Before you install the new part, orient it so the water jets face upward.

Pull down manifold tube just enough so you can set the spray arm down the end of the tube and on top of the white seal. Then push the whole assembly up around the upper dish rack’s central shaft.

Retighten the screw up through the manifold tube, spray arm, and central shaft to secure the new part. Spin the arm manually to make sure it’s level with no inordinate friction and doesn’t hit the bottom of the upper dish rack.

Then push in the dish rack and shut the dishwasher. Plug it back in. For more appliance repair tips and procedures, go to Jerry’s Appliance Repair here. We also have a team of trained technicians standing by to help with tricky repairs and troubleshooting.