Bosch Dishwasher: broken leveling foot

Professional Repair Guide

What is this symptom?

Is your Bosch dishwasher leaning or wobbling? A broken leveling foot can cause improper alignment, leading to door closure issues and potential water leaks. This problem often arises from physical breakage or worn adjustment threads, affecting your dishwasher's performance and longevity.

Urgency: Medium

Important Tips for Bosch Models

Bosch dishwashers use specific leveling leg assemblies (e.g., part numbers 00165299 or 00617586) that can differ between models; confirm correct part before purchase.

Possible Causes

Physical breakage of leveling leg due to stress or impact

How to Identify: Visually inspect the bottom of the dishwasher; if a foot is cracked, missing, or cannot be rotated/adjusted, it is broken. The dishwasher will tip or lean when pulled out or when the door is opened.

Part: Leveling foot / leg (Bosch part e.g., 00165299 or 00617586)

Worn or stripped adjustment threads on the leveling leg

How to Identify: Difficulty turning the leveling foot, the leg does not raise/lower smoothly or slips under load; dishwasher not staying level after attempted adjustment.

Part: Leveling leg adjustment threads

DIY Solutions

Replace broken Bosch dishwasher leveling feet

Moderate 15-30 minutes

Tools Needed: adjustable wrench, flat-head screwdriver (optional)

Unplug the dishwasher or turn off power at breaker for safety.
Carefully pull the dishwasher out from under the counter to access the front and rear feet.
Identify the broken or worn leveling foot.
Use an adjustable wrench to unscrew the old foot from the threaded leveling bolt.
Screw in the new Bosch OEM leveling foot (e.g., part number 00165299 or 00617586) until the dishwasher is approximately level.
Adjust all feet to ensure the dishwasher sits level front-to-back and side-to-side.
Push the dishwasher back into place and test door operation and stability.

⚠️ Safety First: Ensure the dishwasher is not powered when pulling out the unit to avoid electrical hazards.

Professional Repairs

Technician replacement of leveling legs and adjustment

Estimated Cost: $40 - $120

When to Call a Professional

If the dishwasher is a built-in model with difficult access to the feet or requires disconnecting water/electrical connections to move safely.

If the leveling posts or base frame are damaged beyond simple leg replacement.

If uncertainty exists about correctly leveling the unit, as improper leveling can lead to leaks.

Preventive Maintenance

Check dishwasher level and leg condition: Prevents imbalance, reduces stress on feet and potential early failure
Frequency: annually

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is my Bosch Dishwasher broken leveling foot?

Common causes include physical breakage from stress or impact, and worn or stripped adjustment threads.

How do I fix Bosch Dishwasher broken leveling foot myself?

Unplug the dishwasher, pull it out, and replace the broken leveling feet with new ones.

How much does it cost to fix broken leveling foot?

Professional repair costs range from $40 to $120 for replacing and adjusting leveling legs.

When should I call a technician for broken leveling foot?

If you're uncomfortable with DIY repairs or if the problem persists after replacement, it's time to call a technician.

Community Analytical Insights

Analysis based on real user discussions from appliance repair communities

Can I Fix This Myself?

75%

DIY Success Rate Difficulty: DIY

Common Issues Reported by Users

Back leveling foot caught on an obstacle during operation, causing it to snap off.
Wear and tear over time leading to degradation of the leveling foot material.
Improper installation or adjustment of the leveling foot, leading to excessive strain.

User Suggested Solutions

Purchase a replacement leveling foot specific to Bosch dishwashers. Turn off the power and water supply. Remove the dishwasher from its installation location. Unscrew the broken foot and replace it with the new one, ensuring it is securely fastened. Reinstall the dishwasher and check for stability.
If the leveling foot is not available, use a temporary solution by placing a sturdy object under the dishwasher to stabilize it until a replacement can be installed. Make sure it is safe and does not obstruct operation.
Contact Bosch customer service for guidance on specific replacement parts or to schedule a professional installation if unsure about DIY repairs.

Analysis based on 1 community discussions
View Sources

Data compiled from real discussions on r/appliancerepair and r/Appliances:

Repair broken back leveling feet Bosch dishwasher?

Community Discussions

back leveling foot got caught and snapped off

Replace the broken leveling foot by purchasing a replacement part and screwing it into place.