Door Drops Open - How to Fix (by 9 users)

Actually the solution is quite easy.

First, get the door balance kit from ReparClinic.com mentioned herein. I believe it's Part #1059756.

Second, pull the DW out about halway from its recess (you may have to remove the two "mounting" screws where it is attached to the countertop.

Third, there are two door balance assemblies...one on the lower left side, one on the lower right side...where the door's fulcrum is (where it hinges). Each will consist of 2 pulleys, a string (with a plastic "latch" on one end, a plastic "loop" on the other), and a spring (near the back of the unit). One door balance assembly will likely be "good," one will be "broken," and the likely cause is the string has pulled from its "latch" end. Confused? Use the "good" door balance assembly for reference of how to replace the "broken" assembly. It's pretty straight forward once you compare the two.

Fourth, remove the "bad" assembly as needed. In my case, I only had to remove the string. The pulleys were fine.

Fifth, replace whatever parts you removed. In my case, I replaced only the string, but it required me to press it into the bottom pulley through the open guide at the bottom of it. In any event, replacing the string requires you pull on the string with sufficient force you can "thread" the string around the two pulleys, and hook the latch to the same location you find it latched on the other side of the door (there is a notch in the sheet metal).

Sixth, this is an optional step, but I did it so the string wouldn't pull out of its latch. Take a lighter, and heat the end of the rope in the latch (the part that's sticking out past the end of the latch). Heat it up until it begins to melt slightly, then press or ball it so it will not fray, or unravel enough to pull through the hole in the latch through which it is fitted. I don't know how they got that thing in there (I tried to put my old string back through), but it will likely find it's way out if it's left stock.

That's pretty much it. It's really not hard, and a set of instructions really aren't needed once you compare the left and right assemblies. One is almostly certainly still good, and "a picture is worth a thousand words."