Speed Control Knob

Take it back, it is under warranty right, you said it was taken out of the box.

It is correct that the knob is not separate from the shaft it is attached to. If they are obsolete then hop into your local Kitchen Aid retailer and see if your missing knob looks same or similar to a current model, if so order for a current model, lever the knob off the shaft (carefully) and tap it onto your bare lever. I use a soft faced hammer for this. These folks here should be able to help if you are USA based. http://www.searspartsdirect.com/

Already answered

Fashion another knob out of something similar looking and bond it onto the shaft with epoxy resin. Think of another appliance that may have a black knob on it....a toaster knob maybe. A knob off an old fashioned heater control in a car.

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

Leave a comment if you need more help.
Thanks for using Fixya.

Hi MARY JANE. To answer your question you first need to find out why your speed control knob is stuck? That will require going “under the hood” to determine the root cause of your control knob’s obstinacy.
Most likely something associated with the control knob & lever has either come loose or broken inside your mixer to lock it into its current position.
The inspection and troubleshooting of the inside of your mixer is a DITY capability, particularly if your mixer is out of warranty. Just be sure to have the Parts List manual on hand. 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 first file K45SSWH0.pdf (341.41 KB) listed under Parts List (1) and then check to verify this matches your mixer model.
Turn to pages 6 & 7, titled: “Motor And Control Parts”, which provides an exploded view for the disassembly and reassembly of your mixer, along with all the parts. You’ll want to focus on part #s 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6, which is our speed control assembly. Check to see if something isn’t blocking you’re the movement of #3. You should be able to determine if something has broken. If something has broken, you can order replacement parts and install yourself.
Here are five potential online 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.
Once apart you can check for any other unseemly wear and tear on the gears, etc. It can be messy but quite gratifying to diagnose and repair your mixer yourself.
Finally, here are links to three excellent websites that detail the disassembling/reassembly of a KA mixer that may be helpful for you.

• 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 BROOKLYNX. To answer you primary question, no there is no special speed control knob lock that you?ve inadvertently triggered. OK, so without a lock why?s your speed control knob stuck? It most likely that something broken inside your mixer to lock it into position. I wouldn?t continue to operate your machine as you are doing. It?s not good for the electric motor, the electric cord or the plug. It would be better to determine the root cause of your control knob?s obstinacy. The inspection and troubleshooting of the inside of your mixer is a DITY capability, particularly if your mixer is out of warranty. Just be sure to have the Parts List manual on hand. 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, try K45SSW, and select one of the files listed under Parts List (check to see it this matches your mixer model). Turn to pages 6 & 7, titled: Motor And Control Parts, which provides an exploded view for the disassembly and reassembly of your mixer, along with all the parts. You?ll want to focus on part #s 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6, which is our speed control assembly. Check to see if something isn?t blocking you?re the movement of #3. You should be able to determine if something has broken. If something has broken, you can order replacement parts and install yourself. As far as parts go, here are four potential vendors in no particular order: RepairClinic.com; mendingshed.com; searspartsdirect.com; partstore.com. Prices for the same part can vary widely between vendors, so do your comparison shopping. Once apart you can check for any other unseemly wear and tear on the gears, etc. It can be messy but quite gratifying to diagnose and repair your mixer yourself. Finally, here's a link to an excellent site that details the disassembly and replacement of a 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.html Good luck and have fun. I hope this helps. Howard, Burke, VA If this solution has helped you, please rate it, thanks! - hslincoln

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.

OK, you mentioned everything except the brand. I found on some models of Sunbeam mixers that the speed governor would fail due to the control knob screw being loose.

On that particular model, the screw is behind a stick-on label in the center of the knob. Peel off the label and make sure the screw is tight.

If your mixer isn't a Sunbeam, please advise.