Door Boot Seal, Door Gasket, Bellow Seal

DC97-18094C, DC97-18094D, DC97-18094A, AP5966131, PS11722437, EAP11722437, 4036ER2004A, DC64-01664A, DC64-01664B

Samsung

WF42H5000AW/A2, WF42H5000AW/A3, WF42H5000AW/A4, WF42H5000AW/A5, WF42H5100AW/A2, WF42H5100AW/A3, WF42H5100AW/A4, WF42H5100AW/A5, WF42H5200AP/A2, WF42H5200AP/A3, WF42H5200AP/A4, WF42H5200AP/A5, WF42H5400AW/A2, WF42H5400AW/A3, WF42H5400AW/A4, WF42H5400AW/A5, WF42H5600AW/A2, WF42H5600AW/A3, WF42H5600AW/A4, WF42H5600AW/A5, WF45H6100AP/A2, WF45H6100AP/A3, WF45H6100AP/A4, WF45H6100AP/A5, WF45H6200AW/A2, WF45H6200AW/A3, WF45H6200AW/A4, WF45H6200AW/A5, WF45H6300AG/A2, WF45H6300AG/A3, WF45H6300AG/A4, WF45H6300AG/A5, WF45H6300AW/A2, WF45H6300AW/A3, WF45H6300AW/A4, WF45H6300AW/A5, WF45H6500EW/A2, WF45H6500EW/A3, WF45H6500EW/A4, WF45H6500EW/A5, WF50K7500AV/A2, WF50K7500AV/A3, WF50K7500AV/A4, WF50K7500AV/A5, WF50K7500AW/A2, WF50K7500AW/A3, WF50K7500AW/A4, WF50K7500AW/A5, WF52H8000AP/A2, WF52H8000AP/A3, WF52H8000AP/A4, WF52H8000AP/A5, WF52H8000AW/A2, WF52H8000AW/A3, WF52H8000AW/A4, WF52H8000AW/A5, WF56H9100AG/A2, WF56H9100AG/A3, WF56H9100AG/A4, WF56H9100AG/A5, WF56H9110CW/A2, WF56H9110CW/A3, WF56H9110CW/A4, WF56H9110CW/A5

1. Unplug the washer from the electrical outlet to ensure complete power disconnection.
2. Close the water supply valves at the wall to prevent water discharge during disassembly.
3. Empty the washer of any clothes or items inside.
4. Open the washer door fully to access the door boot.
5. Take multiple photos of the door boot installation before removal. Document the outer retaining band position, inner retaining band position, and how the boot folds attach to the cabinet and tub. This is critical for proper reassembly.
6. Locate the outer retaining band that secures the door boot to the front of the washer cabinet. This is typically a wire spring band or hose clamp-style band around the outer edge of the boot.
7. Release the outer retaining band. For wire spring bands, use a flathead screwdriver to pry the spring out of its groove. For hose clamp-style bands, use pliers or a screwdriver to loosen the clamp screw and slide the band off.
8. Remove the outer retaining band completely and set it aside. Note its position and orientation for reinstallation.
9. Carefully peel the outer edge of the boot away from the washer cabinet front panel. Work your way around the entire circumference, pulling the boot lip out of the cabinet groove.
10. Locate the inner retaining band that secures the door boot to the front of the washer tub. This is typically inside the washer drum area.
11. Release the inner retaining band. For wire spring bands, use a flathead screwdriver to pry the spring out of its groove. For hose clamp-style bands, loosen the clamp screw and slide the band off.
12. Remove the inner retaining band completely and set it aside. Note its position and orientation for reinstallation.
13. Carefully peel the inner edge of the boot away from the washer tub. Work your way around the entire circumference, pulling the boot lip out of the tub groove.
14. Remove the old door boot completely from the washer. It should now be free from both the cabinet and tub.
15. Inspect the old boot for visible damage such as tears, holes, cracks, mold growth, or deterioration. This confirms the diagnosis.
16. Clean the cabinet groove and tub groove thoroughly with a damp cloth and mild detergent to remove any mold, mildew, detergent residue, or debris. A clean surface ensures proper sealing with the new boot.
17. Inspect the cabinet groove and tub groove for damage or corrosion. If damage is present, repair it before installing the new boot.
18. Unpack the new DC97-18094B door boot from its packaging. Handle carefully to avoid tearing or damaging the rubber.
19. Compare the new boot to the old one to verify the size, shape, mounting lip configuration, and overall appearance match. Ensure you have the correct replacement part.
20. Identify the top center of the new boot. Most boots have a small alignment mark, arrow, or notch at the top center position. This helps ensure proper orientation during installation.
21. Position the new boot with the top center mark aligned with the top center of the washer opening.
22. Install the inner edge of the boot onto the washer tub first. Starting at the top center, press the boot lip into the tub groove, working your way around the circumference in both directions.
23. Verify the boot lip is fully seated in the tub groove all the way around. The lip should be evenly positioned without twists or folds.
24. Install the inner retaining band over the boot lip to secure it to the tub. For wire spring bands, stretch the spring and hook it into the groove. For hose clamp-style bands, position the band over the boot lip and tighten the clamp screw.
25. Verify the inner retaining band is tight and secure by gently tugging on the boot. It should not pull loose from the tub.
26. Install the outer edge of the boot onto the washer cabinet front panel. Starting at the top center, press the boot lip into the cabinet groove, working your way around the circumference in both directions.
27. Verify the boot lip is fully seated in the cabinet groove all the way around. The lip should be evenly positioned without twists or folds.
28. Install the outer retaining band over the boot lip to secure it to the cabinet. For wire spring bands, stretch the spring and hook it into the groove. For hose clamp-style bands, position the band over the boot lip and tighten the clamp screw.
29. Verify the outer retaining band is tight and secure by gently tugging on the boot. It should not pull loose from the cabinet.
30. Inspect the boot installation by running your hand around the entire circumference of both the inner and outer edges. The boot should be evenly seated with no gaps, twists, or misalignment.
31. Close the washer door and verify it closes smoothly and latches properly. The door should compress the boot evenly around the entire circumference.
32. Restore the water supply by opening the supply valves.
33. Plug the washer back in and restore power.
34. Run a test cycle (without clothes) on a short wash cycle to verify proper door boot sealing.
35. Monitor the washer for water leaks during the test cycle. Check the front of the washer, the floor around the washer, and the bottom folds of the boot for any water leakage.
36. Verify the door remains latched throughout the test cycle. The door should not pop open or leak water.
37. Verify the washer completes the cycle without error codes related to door seal or water leakage.
38. If water leaks from the front, stop the cycle and verify the boot is properly seated in both the cabinet and tub grooves. Verify the retaining bands are tight and secure.
39. If the door does not latch properly, verify the boot is not twisted or misaligned. Adjust the boot position if necessary.
40. Run a full wash cycle with a typical load of clothes to confirm the repair is complete and the washer operates normally without leaks.
41. After the cycle completes, wipe down the boot folds with a dry cloth to remove any standing water. This prevents mold and mildew growth.

Safety Notes: Always unplug the washer before working on it. Close the water supply valves to prevent accidental water discharge. Handle the new boot carefully to avoid tearing or damaging the rubber. Never operate the washer without the door boot installed—this can cause severe water damage. Regularly clean and dry the boot folds after each wash cycle to prevent mold growth and extend boot life.

Always clean the boot grooves thoroughly before installing the new boot. Mold, mildew, detergent residue, or debris in the grooves can prevent the new boot from sealing properly and can cause premature boot failure. Use a damp cloth with mild detergent to clean both the cabinet groove and tub groove. A clean surface ensures optimal sealing and extends boot life.

Verify proper boot alignment before securing the retaining bands. The boot must be properly oriented with the top center mark aligned with the top center of the washer opening. Misalignment can cause leaks, poor door closure, or uneven wear. Take your time during installation to ensure the boot is straight and evenly positioned.

Check the retaining bands for damage before reusing them. Wire spring bands can lose tension over time, and hose clamp-style bands can corrode or strip. If the retaining bands are damaged or worn, replace them along with the boot to ensure proper sealing. New retaining bands are inexpensive and provide optimal clamping force.

Prevent mold growth by wiping down the boot after each wash cycle. Standing water in the boot folds is the primary cause of mold and mildew growth, which weakens the rubber and causes premature failure. After each wash cycle, wipe down the boot folds with a dry cloth and leave the door open for 30-60 minutes to allow the boot to air dry.

Use high-efficiency (HE) detergent only. Regular detergent creates excessive suds that can degrade the boot rubber over time. Always use HE detergent in the correct amount to minimize suds and protect the boot material.

Inspect the boot regularly for early signs of wear. Check the boot every few months for small tears, cracks, or mold growth. Catching problems early allows for preventive replacement before a major leak occurs. Small tears can quickly become large rips that cause significant water damage.Never slam the washer door. Slamming the door can damage the boot and cause tears or misalignment. Close the door gently to extend boot life and maintain proper sealing.

Remove sharp objects from pockets before washing. Coins, keys, zippers, and other sharp objects can tear or puncture the boot during washing. Always check pockets and remove sharp items before loading clothes.

This boot is model-specific. The DC97-18094B is designed for specific Samsung front-load washers. Always verify your washer model number matches one of the compatible models before ordering. Using an incorrect boot can result in non-fit or improper sealing.

Monitor the first few wash cycles after installation. After installing the new boot, run several wash cycles and monitor for leaks, unusual noises, or door closure issues. Address any problems immediately before they cause water damage or indicate improper installation.

Consider professional installation if uncertain. Door boot replacement requires careful alignment and proper retaining band installation. If you're uncomfortable with the process, consult a professional technician to ensure proper installation and avoid costly water damage from improper sealing.