Maytag Dishwasher: rusting rack and broken prongs

Professional Repair Guide

What is this symptom?

Are you experiencing rusting racks and broken prongs in your Maytag dishwasher? This common issue can lead to unstable dish placement and potential rust staining. The protective coating on the rack may wear down, exposing metal to rust, often due to contact damage or harsh detergents. Addressing this promptly can help maintain your dishwasher's efficiency.

Urgency: Medium

Important Tips for Maytag Models

  • Maytag doesn’t provide official guidance specific to rusted racks; removal instructions exist but repair guidance is general.

Possible Causes

Protective vinyl/plastic coating wear leading to metal exposure and rust

How to Identify: Visual inspection shows coating chipped/peeled exposing bare metal, orange rust spots forming on metal parts

Part: Dishwasher rack tines and rack frame

Contact damage from dishes or sharp utensils wearing down coating

How to Identify: Rust and chipped coating concentrated where heavy or sharp items typically contact the rack

Part: Dishwasher rack tines

Hard water and harsh detergents accelerating corrosion

How to Identify: Rust appears in spots where mineral deposits and detergent residue concentrate

Part: Rack metal surfaces

Broken prongs due to metal fatigue over time or overstress

How to Identify: Prongs are physically broken off or bent, often near rusted areas

Part: Individual rack tines/prongs

DIY Solutions

Clean and coat rusted rack areas

Moderate 30-60 minutes
Tools Needed: fine-grit sandpaper or wire brush, dishwasher-safe vinyl repair paint or epoxy, protective gloves
  1. Remove rack from dishwasher
  2. Sand away rust and loose coating to bare metal
  3. Wipe clean and dry the sanded area
  4. Apply dishwasher rack repair paint or epoxy to exposed metal
  5. Allow coating to fully dry/cure before reinstalling
⚠️ Safety First: Wear gloves to avoid cuts from rack metal

Replace missing or broken prong caps

Easy 10-20 minutes
Tools Needed: replacement tine caps (plastic/rubber)
  1. Identify and purchase matching tine caps for your rack
  2. Push new caps onto each broken or exposed prong to protect dishes

Professional Repairs

Rack replacement

Estimated Cost: $50 - $300

Professional rust repair and recoating

Estimated Cost: $100 - $200

When to Call a Professional

Rust covers large sections of rack or structural integrity is compromised
Multiple prongs are broken making rack unsafe to use
DIY attempts do not prevent recurring rusting

Preventive Maintenance

  • Inspect rack coating regularly: Early detection of coating wear and prevents extensive rusting
    Frequency: every 3-6 months
  • Use gentle detergents and avoid overloading: Excess wear on rack coating and reduces corrosion risk
    Frequency: ongoing

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is my Maytag Dishwasher rusting rack and broken prongs?
Rusting racks and broken prongs are often caused by protective coating wear, contact damage from dishes, or harsh detergents.
How do I fix Maytag Dishwasher rusting rack and broken prongs myself?
You can clean and coat rusted areas by sanding them down and applying a protective layer. Also, replace any missing or broken prong caps.
How much does it cost to fix rusting rack and broken prongs?
Professional repairs for rusting racks and broken prongs typically cost between $50 and $300 for rack replacement or $100 to $200 for rust repair.
When should I call a technician for rusting rack and broken prongs?
Consider calling a technician if the damage is extensive or if you're not comfortable performing DIY repairs.

References & Sources

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

  • Corrosion due to prolonged exposure to moisture and detergent
  • Physical damage from loading/unloading dishes improperly
  • Manufacturing defect in the dishwasher rack coating

User Suggested Solutions

  1. Replace the rusted rack with a new one designed for Maytag dishwashers. Ensure you follow the manufacturer's instructions for installation.

  2. Use a rust-inhibiting spray or rack repair kit to cover rust spots and prevent further corrosion. Clean the affected area thoroughly before application.

  3. If prongs are broken, consider using a rack repair kit that includes replacement prongs. Follow the kit instructions for proper installation.

Analysis based on 1 community discussions
View Sources

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

  1. Do generic replacement dishwasher racks exist?

Community Discussions

rack is rusting and some prongs have broken off

Look for generic or compatible racks from Whirlpool models.

DIY View on Reddit →

Source: Reddit r/appliancerepair

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