How to Replace W10508950 Dishwasher Upper Rack Front Track Stop on Whirlpool — Step-by-Step

Your Whirlpool dishwasher's upper rack keeps jumping off the track or won't stay in place when you slide it in and out. The culprit? Those small plastic track stops on the front of the rack have snapped off. It's a common failure point on models like the WDTA50SAHB0, WDT970SAHZ0, and dozens of other Whirlpool, Maytag, and KitchenAid dishwashers. The good news: replacing the W10508950 track stop takes less than 15 minutes and requires zero tools.

What You Need Before Starting

Tools Required: None — this is a hand-installation only

Repair Time: Less than 15 minutes

Difficulty Level: Easy — Perfect for first-time DIYers

Part Number: W10508950 (replaces WPW10508950, 8562015, W10199682, AP6022472)

Safety First

No electrical work is involved here, but you'll want to pull the upper rack completely out of the dishwasher. Make sure the dishwasher is empty and not running. If the rack is heavily soiled, rinse it off before working — you'll have better visibility and a cleaner work surface.

Step 1: Pull Out the Upper Rack Completely

Slide the upper rack all the way forward until it stops. Lift the front of the rack up slightly while pulling forward — it should come completely off the side rails. Set it on a towel on your counter or kitchen table. You'll see the track rails running along both sides of the rack where the stop clips attach.

Step 2: Remove the Broken Track Stop (If Still Attached)

Look at the front corners of the upper rack where the side rails meet. You'll find the track stop slots on each side. If pieces of the old stop are still clipped in, pinch them and pull them out. The plastic may have broken into multiple pieces — get them all out so the new stop seats properly.

Step 3: Position the New W10508950 Track Stop

Take your new track stop and examine the clip design. You'll notice it has tabs that match the slots in the rack rail. Line up one side of the stop with the track opening on the right side of the rack. The stop should be oriented so the wider part faces toward the front of the rack.

Step 4: Clip the Stop Into Both Sides

Press the right side of the stop into its track slot until you hear or feel it click. Now push the left side into the corresponding track on the opposite rail. As one user put it: "Clipped part into track on each side of top rack." It should snap firmly into place on both sides. Give it a gentle tug — it shouldn't pull out easily.

Step 5: Reinstall the Upper Rack

Slide the upper rack back onto the dishwasher's side rails. Angle the front up slightly, align the rack wheels with the rails, and push it back into position. Slide the rack in and out several times to test. The new stop prevents the rack from sliding too far forward and jumping off the tracks.

Testing After Installation

Load a few dishes in the upper rack and slide it in and out five or six times. The rack should glide smoothly without catching, and the front stop should prevent it from coming off the rails. If your rack was also causing cleaning issues because it wasn't seating properly, run a test cycle to confirm water is now reaching the upper spray arm correctly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will this fix my dishwasher door latch problems?

Sometimes, yes. If your upper rack was coming off-track, it could prevent the door from closing completely, which triggers latch sensors. Once the rack stays in place, the door should close and latch normally again. If latch problems persist after replacing the stop, you may have a separate door latch issue.

Do I need to replace both track stops or just one?

The W10508950 is a single unit that clips into tracks on both sides of the rack. You only need one part per rack. If you have a double-drawer dishwasher with two separate upper racks, you'll need two stops total (one for each rack assembly).

Why does my rack make noise even with new stops?

Check the rack wheels and side rail condition. If the wheels are worn flat or the metal rails are bent, you'll still get noise and rough sliding. The track stop only prevents the rack from coming off the front — it doesn't fix worn rollers or damaged rails. Those require separate replacement parts.