How to Install Folding Tines Sleeve WPW10116789 in a Whirlpool Dishwasher

Quick answer: Take the rack out, unhook the folding tine row from the rack wire, slide the broken sleeve off, push the new WPW10116789 onto the rack wire at the same spot, hook the tine row back through it, and fold the row up and down to confirm it pivots and holds.

The folding tines sleeve WPW10116789 is a small plastic retainer that attaches a folding tine row to the wire frame of a Whirlpool dishwasher rack. The row pivots inside this sleeve, so when the sleeve splits or wears through, the row detaches at one end, sags, and rattles against the tub during the wash. Whirlpool lists the part for 162 models, including Maytag-built racks such as DWU9906BAE and MDB6800AWA and Jenn-Air units like JDB8910AWW.

This is a rack-only repair with no tools required in most cases. The one thing to get right is the order of assembly: the sleeve goes on the fixed rack wire first, then the tine row wire hooks through it. If you try to force the sleeve over both wires at once, it splits. A manufacturer video exists for this part, but the steps here cover everything you need.

See part details and every compatible model: WPW10116789

⚠️ Safety First
  • Wear gloves; a split sleeve and chipped rack coating leave sharp edges.
  • Let the tub cool before pulling a rack right after a cycle.
  • Set the rack on a towel on the counter, never balanced on the open door.

Tools and Parts You Need

  • Needle-nose pliers for fragments of the old sleeve
  • Small flat-blade screwdriver to spread a stubborn retainer
  • Flashlight
  • Clean towel to set the rack on
  • Warm water to soften an old, brittle sleeve

Step-by-Step Installation

  1. Remove the rack Slide the rack fully out, lift the front wheels clear of the rails, and place it on a towel with the folding row toward you.
  2. Study the pivot Fold the tine row and watch how its end wire passes through the sleeve on the rack wire. Note which side the sleeve opens toward so the new one goes on the same way.
  3. Unhook the tine row Flex the row gently and slip its end wire out of the old sleeve. If the row is still attached at the other end by a good sleeve, leave that end alone.
  4. Remove the broken sleeve Slide or spread the split sleeve off the rack wire. Pull any fragments free with pliers and wipe the wire clean.
  5. Fit WPW10116789 Push the new sleeve onto the rack wire at the same position, opening facing the same direction as before. Press until it snaps fully around the wire and does not slide.
  6. Hook the row through Flex the tine row and guide its end wire back into the new sleeve until it seats in the pivot channel.
  7. Test the fold Fold the row down and back up several times. It should pivot smoothly with no gap at the sleeve and no side play.
  8. Reinstall the rack Set the rack back on the rails, roll it in and out, and load a few plates to confirm the row holds.

Fit Checks Before You Call the Job Done

  • The sleeve is snapped fully around the rack wire and does not slide along it.
  • The tine row end wire sits inside the sleeve and pivots freely.
  • Sleeve orientation matches the retainer at the other end of the row.
  • The row stays upright with plates loaded and folds flat when pushed.
  • The rack rolls freely without the sleeve rubbing the tub or the spray arm.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Forcing the sleeve over both wires at once Fit it to the rack wire first, then hook the row through. Doing both together splits the new part.

Installing it opening-side reversed The row will pop out of the sleeve during the wash if the opening faces the direction the row pulls.

Leaving fragments on the wire Bits of the old sleeve keep the new one from closing and make the row wobble.

Replacing one sleeve when both are worn If one end failed, the other is usually close behind. Check both and order two if needed.

Troubleshooting After Installation

Row pops out of the sleeve during the wash Check that the sleeve is fully closed and its opening faces the right way; reseat the row wire deep in the pivot channel.

Row is stiff and hard to fold The row wire may be riding on the edge of the sleeve rather than inside it. Unhook it and reseat.

Sleeve slides along the rack wire The wire is worn or the sleeve is not snapped shut. Press it closed; if the wire is damaged, the rack may need repair.

Care Tips After the Repair

  • Fold rows by pushing near the pivot rather than on the far tines.
  • Check rack retainers every few months and replace any that look white or cracked.
  • Keep heavy pots off folding rows so the sleeves are not overloaded.

Compatible Models (Sample)

This part is listed for 162 Whirlpool models in our fitment data. Always confirm your exact model number on the appliance's rating plate.

Repair Difficulty and Time

Difficulty: Easy. Typical time: 5 to 15 minutes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is WPW10116789 one sleeve or a pair?

It is sold as a single retainer. Most rows use one at each end, so check both.

Will it fit my Maytag rack?

The 162 listed models include Maytag units such as MDB4800AWA and MDB4800AWB that share the same rack design.

Do I need tools?

Usually not. Pliers only help when fragments of the old sleeve are stuck on the wire.

Can I glue the old sleeve instead?

No. Adhesive does not survive hot wash water and a failed sleeve can let the row fall into the spray arm.

Final Checklist

  • Rack removed and placed on a towel
  • Tine row unhooked from the broken sleeve
  • Old sleeve and fragments cleared from the wire
  • New WPW10116789 snapped onto the rack wire in the right orientation
  • Row wire hooked back through the sleeve
  • Row folds smoothly and holds upright
  • Rack reinstalled and rolling freely

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