Planetary head of mixer is loose - 1/8" space separated from top case,but still attached. Can it be hammered back? Does it have to be disassembled or replaced?

The case screws can come loose and grind on the planetary. To see if that's the problem you need to pop the chrome drip ring off that covers part of the planetary. It's just a push fit, pop off with screwdriver tapped with a hammer.

Well I afraid that you will not like the answer. The locking latch on a tilt head mixer can only be fixed replaced or repaired by taking the motor head apart. The bottom from the top.

1 remove mixer from stand
2 remove silver drip ring
3 remove rear end cap
4 remove locking pin in the planetary
5 remove planetary
6 remove nine screws in bottom of mixer
7 separate top from bottom of motor head
8 do not tear gasket or you will have to replace it (buy on line)
9 inspect locking latch and tighten or replace as needed
10 check gear grease and replace if all hard or all runny
11 reassemble

Sorry this is not an easy fix but it is do-able. You will need throw away rags a nice flat work space and some patience. I f you have never done a mechanical fix to anything it should take you about two hours, if however you are mechanically inclined and not afraid to tackle new projects should take you about forty-five minutes. let us know if we can help you.

we need more info and clarity first we will need a model number for your mixer before we give any advise, next what head falls off, the planetary if so then i will assume that you have an accolade professional or pro series or pro 600 mixer, in which case you need to order a new planetary for your mixer. (planetary is the part that the beater is attached to) please send us more info so that we can help you

The Planetary plate comes attached to the shaft from the factory. It is not supposed to get
loose and come apart but it often does due to the mixer's vibrations and the user's constant
attaching and removals of the flat beater, wire whip or dough hook onto the beater shaft.
Try to remove the Planetary plate first : Gently rock it from side to side while pulling on it
to separate from the shaft. Notice the groves on both the shaft and inside the planetary
housing. That is how they are attached to one another at the factory (just friction, no screws
or pins). Now for a permanent solution:
Take a trip to Home Depot or Ace hardware and buy the J-B Industro Weld Compound
(Not the 5 minute type). Mix an equal amount from both tubes (Black and Red). Use a Q-Tip
and apply a thin layer of the mixture on both the shaft (grooved section) and inside the
planetary housing. Now re-attach the planetary plate to the shaft. Use a long strip of duct tape
to hold the plate in place (to prevent it from falling back out). Allow the epoxy to dry overnight
or at least for 8 hours.
The Planetary assembly is now permanently attached to the shaft of the mixer.

The Planetary plate comes attached to the shaft from the factory. It is not supposed to get
loose and come apart but it often does due to the mixer's vibrations and the user's constant
attaching and removals of the flat beater, wire whip or dough hook onto the beater shaft.
Try to remove the Planetary plate first : Gently rock it from side to side while pulling on it
to separate from the shaft. Notice the groves on both the shaft and inside the planetary
housing. That is how they are attached to one another at the factory (just friction, no screws
or pins). Now for a permanent solution:
Take a trip to Home Depot or Ace hardware and buy the J-B Industro Weld Compound
(Not the 5 minute type). Mix an equal amount from both tubes (Black and Red). Use a Q-Tip
and apply a thin layer of the mixture on both the shaft (grooved section) and inside the
planetary housing. Now re-attach the planetary plate to the shaft. Use a long strip of duct tape
to hold the plate in place (to prevent it from falling back out). Allow the epoxy to dry overnight
or at least for 8 hours.
The Planetary assembly is now permanently attached to the shaft of the mixer.

Hi BHENDERSON_C, sorry to hear about your mixer’s malaise. The Planetary should not fall off! Something has failed inside the transmission housing to allow the planetary to drop from the head. It may not be evident from the planetary assembly, so you need to get ‘under the hood’ to find the point of failure.
It would be helpful to have the correct Parts List manual on hand when you start to disassemble your mixer. If you're lacking one, you can download a PDF version from the KA website at: http://www.kitchenaid.com/flash.cmd?/#/page/home.
Click on Customer Care>Locate Manuals & Guides> and enter the 6 character model number, in your case, KP2671, and for starters, select the last file, KP2671XWH3.pdf (325.07 KB), of the 24 listed under Parts List (24) (NB: There are five different model versions of this manual, so check to see that it matches your mixer model. If it doesn’t try a different version).
To disassemble your mixer you will need a regular and Phillips screwdriver, snap-ring pliers, a small drift pin punch and a small hammer. By using the exploded views in the Part List manual, you should be able to disassemble, inspect, identify and replace broken/worn parts, and reassemble your mixer. The Parts list manual doesn’t provide that step by step assembly instructions that would be nice to have, but just a general idea of how all the parts fit together.
Turn to pages 4 & 5, titled: “Case Gearing And Planetary Unit” which shows you an exploded view of all the mechanical parts and assemblies for your mixer. You will need to remove the Transmission Housing and remove all the grease from around the gears to clearly see the parts. Inspect the grease for debris. I expect you’ll find pieces of the retaining clip and retain pin that hold the planetary to the mixer head somewhere in the grease.
After you’ve determined which parts failed, you will want to order replacement parts. Here are five potential online vendors in no particular order: RepairClinic.com; mendingshed.com; searspartsdirect.com; partstore.com; and Grainger.com (for grease). You should search for ‘food grade grease’ online (although I’ve seen automotive bearing grease used too – your call). Prices can vary widely between vendors, so do some comparison shopping.
Also, here are links to three excellent websites that detail the disassembling/reassembly of a KA Mixer. The mixers displayed in the links are different KA models, but the principles are the same.

• http://www.artisanbreadbaking.com/discussions/kitchen-aid.htm
• http://www.neilcrockett.com/mixer.htm
• http://www.foodonthefood.com/food_on_the_food/2009/04/how-to-repair-a-kitchenaid-mixer-yourself.html

Between these three websites and their excellent pictures and descriptions and your Parts List manual, you should now be able to completely disassemble, troubleshoot, determine appropriate repair parts and reassemble your mixer to get it working again. Good luck. I hope this helps. Howard, Burke, VA
If this solution has helped you, please rate it, thanks! – hslincoln

Hi G_MERRY, it sounds like you’re well on your way, great! You’ve got the correct Parts List Manual from KA, 5KSM150PSEWH4.pdf (777.26 KB), and you’ve started to disassemble your mixer using the exploded view on pages 4 and 5 entitled “Case, Gearing And Planetary Unit”.
The first two screws (Illus. No. 25) you removed from the back only secure the trim strap and the trim strap is only for decoration. To get further ‘under the hood’, you will also need to remove the screw at the top of the End Cover (Illus. No. 24) as well as four larger screws (Illus. No. 30) on the bottom of the mixer head before you can separate the Gear Case Motor Housing (Illus. No. 1) from the Lower Gear Case (Illus. No. 18). You will need to remove the planetary ring (Illus. No. 35) to access the planetary ring and agitator shaft, too, if you are completely re-greasing your mixer, as that seems to be your intent.
To continue to disassemble your mixer you will need a regular and Phillips screwdriver, snap-ring pliers, a small drift pin punch and a small hammer. By using the exploded views in the Part List manual, you should be able to disassemble, inspect, identify and replace broken/worn parts, and reassemble your mixer. The Parts list manual doesn’t provide that step by step assembly instructions that would be nice, but just a general idea of how all the parts fit together.
Here are links to three excellent websites that detail the disassembling/reassembly of a KA mixer that will be really helpful in your circumstances.

• http://www.artisanbreadbaking.com/discussions/kitchen-aid.htm
• http://www.neilcrockett.com/mixer.htm
• http://www.foodonthefood.com/food_on_the_food/2009/04/how-to-repair-a-kitchenaid-mixer-yourself.html

Between these three websites and their excellent pictures and descriptions and your Parts List manual, you should now be able to completely disassemble and reassemble your mixer, and feel comfortable doing it.
I hope this helps. Howard, Burke, VA
If this solution was helpful, please rate it, thanks! – hslincoln

Hi BRET, that chrome ring is called the ‘Planetary Drip Ring’ and is a compression/friction fitted piece that should stay on during normal mixer use. Its purpose is to prevent the mixer’s transmission lubrication grease/oil from dripping into your mixing bowl from the planetary drive, hence its catchy name. It should be on tightly enough that to remove it you need to gently tap the edge of the ring with a straight screwdriver at several points on the ring. Obviously something is awry. Before going to the point of replacing it, though, you might try these three remedies first.
1) The drip ring may only fit tightly on your mixer in one orientation and you just need to ‘discover’ that correct orientation. Mark the outside of the ring with a small piece of tape so you can keep track as you rotate the ring around the mixer head flange. As you attempt to seat the drip ring, if it will not stay on, then rotate the drip ring clockwise, just a bit, and repeat the process. Ideally you should find one position where the drip ring will fit securely and stay in place. Give the drip ring one final squeeze for good measure. Keep an eye on the drip ring the first few times you use the mixer to make sure it is not working loose again. If that doesn’t remedy the problem, then…
2) You might try a little friendly persuasion by gently tapping the bottom of the drip ring with a few taps of a soft faced mallet or hammer (use a piece of wood between the hammer face and the ring to protect the ring) around the ring to see it that seats it any better, and...
3) If it still comes off, then the ring opening has been expanded to the point that it won’t ‘grip’ the mixer head flange. You can try to ‘crimp’ it at a few points around the ring with a pair of pliers so that it may grip better.
Finally, if none of these remedies work, you should order a replacement drip ring for which you’ll need the Parts List manual. If you're lacking one, you can download a PDF version from the KA website: http://www.kitchenaid.com/flash.cmd?/#/page/home.
Click on Customer Care>Locate Manuals & Guides> Enter the 6 character model number, in your case use K45SSW, and select the file listed under Parts List (1), K45SSWH0.pdf (341.41 KB). Check to make sure it matches your mixer.
Turn to pages 4 & 5, titled “Case, Gearing and Planetary Unit”, which provides an exploded view for the disassembly and reassembly of your mixer, along with all the parts. Locate Illus. Nos. 26, Planetary Drip Ring, which is the part you want to order.
Here are five potential vendors in no particular order: RepairClinic.com; mendingshed.com; searspartsdirect.com; partstore.com; and Grainger.com (for grease). Prices can vary widely between vendors, so do some comparison shopping.
Also, while your mixer is apart it would be ideal to check for any other unseemly wear and tear on the gears, etc. It can be messy but quite gratifying to diagnose and repair your KA mixer yourself.
Here are some links to several excellent websites that detail the disassembling/reassembly of a KA Mixer.

• http://www.artisanbreadbaking.com/discussions/kitchen-aid.htm
• http://www.neilcrockett.com/mixer.htm
• http://www.foodonthefood.com/food_on_the_food/2009/04/how-to-repair-a-kitchenaid-mixer-yourself.html

Between these three websites and their excellent pictures and descriptions and your Parts List manual, you should now be able to completely disassemble and reassemble your mixer.
Good luck. I hope this helps. Howard, Burke, VA
If this solution has helped you, please rate it, thanks! - hslincoln

Hi BEV, By the symptoms you are describing, it appears that your planetary/agitator shaft (where you attach the beaters) assembly is dropping from the mixer head, is that correct? When you replace the planetary and lift your bowl up into a ‘locked’ position, the planetary is being held in place by the beater resting on the bottom of your mixing bowl and ‘works’ for the time being. However, you don’t want operate your mixer that way for very long.
I suspect what caused the planetary/agitator shaft to drop from the mixer head is that one of the pins used to secure the planetary/agitator shaft assembly to the mixer head has failed (sheared) so now there is nothing holding the planetary/agitator to the mixer head. The good news is that this is fixable.
The inspection and troubleshooting of your mixer’s transmission is a DITY capability, particularly if your mixer is out of warranty. Just be sure to have the correct Part List manual around when you start to disassemble your mixer. If you are lacking one, you can download it from the KA website (http://www.kitchenaid.com/flash.cmd?/#/page/home).
Click on Customer Care>Locate Manuals& Guides> and enter the 6 character model number, in your case KSM50PS. Unfortunately, entering your exact model number yields many Owners manual and no Parts Manuals, so I would use the following, KSM500, and select the last file under Parts List (16) KSM500WH0.pdf (857.41 KB). Verify your mixer matches the mixer in the illustrations. Turn to pages 4 & 5, titled ‘Case, Gearing & Planetary Unit, for the disassembly, troubleshooting, and reassembly of your mixer, along with a listing of all the parts. Make sure you inspect
Locate Illust. No. 14, Groove Pin, Part # 9795443. This pin retains the planetary/agitator shaft to the mixer head, and I suspect this is the pin that has failed and needs to be replaced. Getting to it will require the disassembly of the whole transmission. This will be messy as you will need to remove all the grease from the gears and center shaft.
While your mixer’s apart you should check for any other unseemly wear and tear on the gears, etc. You may find more things that need replacement than just the groove pin.
Besides needing a replacement pin and grease, you might consider replacing the gasket, too. I recommend using a food-grade grease that you can order online (although I’ve seen automotive bearing grease used too – your call).
Here are five potential vendors in no particular order: RepairClinic.com; mendingshed.com; searspartsdirect.com; partstore.com; and Grainger.com. You should search for ‘food grade grease’. Prices can vary widely between vendors, so do your comparison shopping.
It can be messy but quite gratifying to diagnose and repair your mixer yourself.
Here’s a link to an excellent site for disassembling/fixing your KA Mixer. Although it’s a different model, the principles are the same: http://www.neilcrockett.com/mixer.htm and another link to a site that details the disassembly and replacement of mixer’s grease, which might be helpful, too. http://www.foodonthefood.com/food_on_the_food/2009/04/how-to-repair-a-kitchenaid-mixer-yourself.htmltl
If you feel troubleshooting and repairing is beyond your capability, then I would seek out a local small appliance repair shop in your area. KA Customer Care can give you names of local KA authorized repair shops in your area, but you can also do an online search to supplement what KA may provide you. Call to explain your circumstances and find out their hourly rate and get an estimate of what they think it would cost to repair your mixer. Also, always obtain three or more estimates – do some comparison shopping.
Good luck and have fun. I hope this helps. Howard, Burke, VA
If this solution has been helpful to you, please rate it, thanks! – hslincoln

Tegan, sorry to hear you tilt mixer head is drooping and causing rubbing problems with the mixing bowl. This should be pretty easy to fix, if you?ve got a small blade screw driver and a small hex driver (or jewelers screw driver). First, do you still have the K45SS Parts List? If not, you can download a PDF version from the KA website. Click on Customer Care>Locate Manuals & Guides> Enter the 6 character model number (in your case, use KSM90P) and select one of the files that appear under Parts List. Turn to page 4 - Case, Gearing and Planetary unit, which shows the exploded view diagram and locate Illus. Nos. 29 & 30. Page 5 lists the parts as Adjusting Screw and Set Screw respectively. What?s probably happened is that over 12 years of operation, the vibrations from your mixer has caused the set screw to loosen and drop, hence the lower mixer head. Both screws will need to be ?adjusted? to move the head back to its original position. Now the problem is removing the head from its pedestal. Turn to page 8 and gently remove Illus. No. 7, Hinge Pin, with a hammer and pin driver. With the hinge pin removed the mixer head and pedestal can be separated and you should have access to adjusting and set screws. I would inspect them for wear and tear, and replace them, if you deem appropriate. It may take a few trial reassemblies to get the mixer head back to the original factory position, but once there, everything should be OK. I hope this helps! Howard, Burke, VA