How do i split the case

"Tried to take it apart" seems to indicate that you didn't get it apart. If you want to straighten the lever properly that's the only way you are going to get it straight. If there are any other problems they will be revealed during the taking apart process. Back off, pedestal off, planetary off and split the cases.

Shelly, usually this can be repaired without needing ANY parts! Its pretty simple but you do have to tear apart the mixer. Here is a link to the service manual: http://ep.yimg.com/ty/cdn/mendingshed/kitchenaidservicemanual.pdf

99% of the time you are dealing with a loose screw. So take the mixer apart, once you have done that you will find the speed control lever with knob has a screw that holds it in place and in contact with the spring. That screw can work loose and if not all the way tightened will allow your mixer to pop back into speed one. Simply tighten the screw and see if the mixer will operate correctly.

If the speed lever is working through all 10 speeds correctly re-assemble the mixer. If it does not correct the problem you will want to buy the speed control lever kit.

This will include a new speed control lever with knob, the spring, link and a gearbox gasket.
KitchenAid Mixer Speed Control Lever Kit 4176230

The part number you will be looking for is 4176230, it is only about $7 plus shipping of $3.25.

-Colleen @ Mending Shed

The cases need to be split and the lever needs to be fixed so that it grips the notches that hold it in place. It may be a bent lever or a loose pivot screw.

Good Morning,

There is a spring inside your mixer attached to the speed control switch and speed control arm, the spring can sometimes get caught on the slide bar that is just below it inside the mixer. The other reason is that the speed control switch plate in the rear of the machine (that the spring attaches to) vibrates the three speed adjustment screws out or in and the spring will pull the speed switch (control arm that you use to control mixing speed when using the mixer) back to the stir position after you try to turn the mixer off.

If it is a spring problem you will have to do a full tear down to get at the spring and either free it or replace it. If it is a problem with the adjustment screws on the speed plate, that can be handled at the rear of the machine and is twice as easy to get at but sometimes much more frustrating to adjust. There are "YouTube" videos on the internet that will walk you through the process of adjusting your speed control plate just Google "adjusting speed on kitchenaid mixer" I hope this helps. please let us know if it does and if you have other questions just post them here and we will "FixYa"

It goes right inside on the inner end of the speed control lever. You need to remove the chrome drip ring, planetary and 9x gearcase screws. Split the gear cases apart to do this job, there is no other way.

The speed control lever is either bent or the screw it pivots on has come loose. The only way to solve the problem properly is to take off the back cover, remove the white and the black wires from the speed control plate, remove it from the pedestal (1 screw up inside the pedestal to remove hinge pin), take the chrome drip ring off, remove the planetary and remove the 9 screws holding the 2 case halves together. That will allow you access to the lever and you will be able to tighten the screw or remove and bend the lever to give it more tension on the bumps in the housing that hold it in off or speed positions. This list is pretty much in order of how you do it.

Unfortunately that's a big labour job and almost zero parts job. The case needs to be split so you can get inside it, the screw that the lever pivots on is either loose or the lever arm is bent, it will be one or the other.

Ideally you need to fix what's bent and that normally would involve splitting the cases to get at and repair or change the speed control lever. If you don't want to do that then removing the back cover and altering the adjustments and maybe bending the switch contacts may make it operate at both ends of the speed control.

I am assuming you mean the little black knob on the speed control has broken off. I will post the solution for that problem.
The speed control lever on KitchenAid mixers has a little black knob on the end (in some cases this may be white or gray). The knob is pressed onto the lever, so if the knob breaks off your only option is to replace the whole lever.
KitchenAid has a kit that will include all you need to replace the speed control lever. It even comes with instructions. Here is a link to the speed control lever kit on our website: http://www.mendingshed.com/kaleverkit.html

The lever kit includes the speed control lever (with knob), speed link, spring, instructions and a gearbox gasket.


The instructions will only walk you through how to hook up the speed control lever, so if you also need a little guidance in taking the mixer apart, and reassembling it please use the KitchenAid service manual. The manual will walk you through all of the repairs you may need on your mixer, including how to take the mixer apart and put it back together. Here is a link to the service manual: http://lib.store.yahoo.net/lib/mendingshed/kitchenaidservicemanual.pdf

Remember, The Mending Shed is a Authorized KitchenAid service center, we can help you with any repair needs for your KitchenAid appliances, plus all of the parts we carry are genuine KitchenAid brand.

Thank you,

Colleen
Customer Service
MendingShed.com
800-339-9297

You need to take the back cover off and then split the gear cases to find the mechanical reason why the lever is stuck. Take the motor off the pedestal, remove the planetary and undo the 9 screws that hold the bottom gearcase to the top housing. You will need to unplug the white and the black wires from one side of the speed control plate.