Dishwasher Spray Arm & Rack Repair Cost
A cracked or wobbling spray arm, an upper arm that fell off its mount, rusty rack tines snagging (and staining) dishes, or wheels that fell off the rack rails. Cosmetic-seeming problems that quietly wreck wash quality.
National averages for independent repair companies. Service-call/diagnostic fees ($75–$150) are usually applied toward the repair. Costs vary by brand, model, and city.
What causes it — and what each fix costs
Spray arm cracked or clogged
Arms snap or twist off by hand on most models — clean the jets or replace the arm outright.
Rack tines rusting through
Once the coating breaches, rust stains dishes and drops flakes into the pump. Tine repair kits and vinyl paint help; badly gone racks replace ($80–$180 as a part).
Rack wheels/rollers broken
Clip-on replacements cost a few dollars a set.
Repair or replace?
Repair — every item here is a cheap part you can fit without tools. Rack rust on an old machine is the one harbinger worth noting: it usually means the machine’s second half of life.
We'll quote you on hauling it away — or buying it.
Not every dishwasher is worth repairing, and we'd rather tell you that than sell you a repair. If you're replacing it, we'll give you a free quote either way: scrap pickup for a machine that's finished, or a cash offer if it still has life in it. Working units, recent models and premium brands are often worth real money.
Common questions
The upper spray arm keeps falling off — why?
Its snap-mount or the feed tube clip wore out. The replacement mount is a couple dollars; ignoring it means the top rack washes with runoff only.
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