LG Washer Door Boot Gasket Replacement
Surface mould in the folds and a mild odour mean cleaning, not buying. Deep mould in the rubber, a tear, stiffness, or water running down the door during a cycle means the boot is finished. The OEM part is MDS47123602 (some models take MDS47123604), and the real work is the outer spring band, not the gasket itself.
Why this part rots and the others do not#
The door boot is the one component on an LG front-loader that flexes on every rotation, takes the splash of every fill, and then sits wet. Because a front-loader loads through the door, the boot is at the lowest point of the drum opening, so water pools in its folds instead of draining away. Add detergent residue and cabinet warmth and you have a near-perfect culture medium — mould spores in the room air do the rest.
LG builds an acknowledgement of this into the machine: a Tub Clean reminder every 30 cycles. Run it, with a washer cleaner tablet or 2 cups of white vinegar. It will not save you from wiping the folds by hand.
Clean, or replace?#
| What you see | Verdict |
|---|---|
| Surface mould on the folds | Clean — baking soda paste and a cloth |
| Mild odour that survives one Tub Clean | Clean, then wipe dry after every load |
| Black mould embedded in the rubber that will not lift | Replace |
| Tears or cuts — underwire bras, sharp zippers, coins | Replace |
| Rubber stiff, cracked, or gone slack | Replace |
| Water escaping around the door mid-cycle | Replace |
Diluted bleach at 1:10 does kill mould, but repeated use degrades the rubber and buys you a shorter gasket life. Baking soda is the safer routine.
Do You Have the Right Tools?
Bearing puller set ($120), drum spider wrench ($85), multimeter ($85), and diagnostic software. Our technician arrives with $3,000+ in professional tools — your diagnostic is free.
Licensed & Insured · 90-Day Warranty · Same-Day Service
Parts#
| Part | LG number |
|---|---|
| Door boot gasket | MDS47123602 |
| Door boot gasket, alternate | MDS47123604 |
| Spring band, outer | MDS33059401 |
| Spring band, inner | MDS33059402 |
The job#
Tools: a flathead screwdriver for prying the band, a Phillips #2 if your model needs the front panel off, towels for the water still sitting in the folds, and — this is the one people skip — a spring band installation tool or a pair of vice-grips. The outer band is under real tension.
Disconnect power and water, then open the door. Find the spring on the outer band and pry it off with the flathead, working the retaining clamp free. Peel the front lip of the gasket away from the door frame. The inner band holds the boot to the tub; some models want the front panel removed for a clean reach at it. Pull the old boot off the tub opening.
Now clean what you have exposed. The tub rim and the door frame channel both collect grime, and a new boot pressed onto a dirty rim will not seal evenly.
Fit the new gasket to the tub opening first and secure the inner band. Then fold the front lip over the door frame and fight the outer band back on with the tool or the vice-grips. Before you call it done, close the door and run your fingers around the whole perimeter — the gasket has to seat evenly the entire way round. Run a Quick Wash with the window in view and watch for leaks.
Safety First — Know the Risks
High-voltage components and pressurized water lines create flood and shock risk. A single loose fitting can cause thousands in water damage. Our techs are licensed and insured — let them handle the risk.
Licensed & Insured · 90-Day Warranty · Same-Day Service
Making the next one last#
The habits are unglamorous and they work. Wipe the folds dry with a cloth after every load and leave the door cracked open. Run Tub Clean monthly rather than waiting for the 30-cycle nag. Use HE detergent only, and no more than the recommended dose — excess suds leave residue in the folds, and residue is what the mould eats.
Done properly, a boot lasts 8-12 years. Skip the wiping and the Tub Clean cycles and you are back in here at 4-6 years.
Torn boot, or a leak you cannot trace to the door? Book a repair — we carry the MDS gaskets and the band tool.
Appliance Repair Technician & Diagnostics Specialist · 10 years experience
Electronics and diagnostics specialist with 10 years of experience in modern smart appliance repair, specializing in LG and Samsung.
