How to Install Dishwasher Spray Arm, Lower 00448806 in a Bosch Dishwasher
Quick answer: Pull the lower rack out, then lift the old arm straight up off the centre hub in the sump area. Clean the hub, hold 00448806 level over it with the nozzles facing up and press down until it clicks. Spin it by hand to confirm it turns freely, then run a rinse.
The lower spray arm 00448806 is the rotating plastic arm on the floor of the tub in your Bosch dishwasher. Water from the circulation pump pushes through its nozzles, which both cleans the dishes in the lower rack and makes the arm spin. When the nozzles clog, the hub cracks or the arm warps from a dropped plastic item, you get gritty glasses and food left on the bottom rack. Bosch lists this arm for models such as SHX68P05UC53, SHE43P02UC64 and SHV68P03UC60, and it replaces the earlier codes 00427903, 00494772, 12054183 and 17008311.
This is one of the easiest repairs on a Bosch dishwasher. The arm simply snaps onto a hub in the sump and lifts off without tools. The important points are cleaning the hub so the new arm seats fully, orienting the arm correctly, and confirming free rotation before you close the door. Most people finish in fifteen minutes.
See part details and every compatible model: 00448806
- Let the dishwasher cool if it just ran; the tub floor and standing water can be very hot.
- Wear gloves when reaching into the sump area to avoid cuts from broken glass or the filter edges.
- Do not run the dishwasher with the spray arm removed; the pump will push water straight up and can flood the tub floor.
- Keep the removed arm and any loose parts away from children.
Tools and Parts You Need
- Flashlight to see the hub and sump area clearly
- Soft brush or old toothbrush for cleaning the hub and filter
- Work gloves, since the arm edges and sump can be sharp
- Towel to catch water from the sump
- Mild cleaner or white vinegar for scale on the hub
Step-by-Step Installation
- Empty and cool the dishwasher Remove dishes and wait until the tub is cool to the touch. Open the door fully so you have a clear path to the tub floor.
- Remove the lower rack Roll the lower rack straight out over the door rails and set it aside on a towel. The spray arm sits in the centre of the tub floor beneath it.
- Lift off the old arm Grip the old arm near the centre hub and pull straight up. It is held by a snap fit; a firm, even pull releases it. If it resists, rock it very slightly while lifting rather than twisting hard.
- Clean the hub and filter Brush food debris and scale off the hub where the new arm will seat. Pull and rinse the cylindrical filter next to it while you are there, since a dirty filter starves the arm of water.
- Check the new arm Look through the nozzles of 00448806 against a light to confirm they are open. Compare it with the old arm so the hub style and arm length match.
- Snap the new arm on Hold the arm level with the nozzle openings facing up, centre it over the hub and press straight down until you feel and hear it click. It should sit flat on the hub with no gap.
- Spin test by hand Turn the arm gently through a full circle. It should rotate freely with a slight click from the hub and without scraping the tub floor or the filter.
- Refit the rack and run a rinse Roll the lower rack back in, spin the arm once more to check clearance, close the door and run a short rinse cycle. Open the door mid-cycle briefly to confirm the arm has moved.
Fit Checks Before You Call the Job Done
- Arm sits flat on the hub with an audible click and no gap
- Arm rotates a full turn by hand without touching the rack or tub
- Nozzle openings face upward toward the lower rack
- Filter is seated and locked after cleaning
- After a rinse, the arm has clearly moved from its starting position
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Twisting the old arm off Twisting hard can break the hub in the sump, which turns a cheap repair into a pump job. Pull straight up with a slight rock.
Skipping the hub cleaning Scale on the hub stops the new arm from clicking fully home, and a loose arm sprays weakly and rattles. Brush it clean first.
Not checking the rack clearance A bent lower rack wire can catch the arm. Spin the arm with the rack in place before you close the door.
Fitting the arm upside down The arm only clicks on one way, but if it is forced on backwards the nozzles spray the tub floor. Nozzle holes face up.
Troubleshooting After Installation
Arm does not spin during the cycle Check that the arm clicked fully onto the hub and that the filter is clean. Blocked nozzles or a clogged filter cut the water pressure that drives the arm.
Arm rattles or clicks loudly while washing The arm is not seated. Remove it, clean the hub again and press it on until the click is felt.
Bottom rack dishes still come out dirty Clear the nozzles with a toothpick, run a cycle with dishwasher cleaner, and make sure tall items in the lower rack are not blocking the arm.
Water pools on the tub floor after the cycle This usually points to the filter rather than the arm. Remove and clean the filter and check the sump for debris.
Care Tips After the Repair
- Scrape food off plates before loading so the nozzles stay clear.
- Clean the filter every few weeks; the arm depends on it for pressure.
- Run a descaling cycle monthly in hard-water areas to keep the hub and nozzles free of scale.
- Load tall pans to the sides so they do not block the arm's rotation.
Compatible Models (Sample)
This part is listed for 431 Bosch models in our fitment data. Always confirm your exact model number on the appliance's rating plate.
Replaces or is replaced by: 00427903, 00494772, 12054183, 17008311
Repair Difficulty and Time
Difficulty: Easy. Typical time: 10 to 20 minutes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which Bosch dishwashers use spray arm 00448806?
It is listed for models including SHX68P05UC53, SHE43P02UC64, SHE55P06UC59, SHV68P03UC60 and SHE55M15UC59, plus some Kenmore Elite units built by Bosch such as 63016303405. It replaces 00427903, 00494772, 12054183 and 17008311.
Do I need tools to change the lower spray arm?
No. The arm snaps onto the hub and lifts off by hand. A brush for cleaning the hub is the only extra you might want.
How can I tell if the arm is the problem?
Look for cracked nozzles, a split hub or an arm that does not spin freely by hand. If the arm looks fine but does not spin, clean the filter first.
Can I clean the old arm instead of replacing it?
If the arm is only clogged, clearing the nozzles works. If the hub is cracked or the arm is warped, replacement with 00448806 is the only fix.
Final Checklist
- Dishwasher empty and cool
- Lower rack removed
- Old arm lifted straight off the hub
- Hub and filter cleaned
- 00448806 clicked onto the hub with nozzles facing up
- Arm spins freely by hand with the rack in place
- Rinse cycle run and arm movement confirmed