Kitchenaid mixer head lock lever his hard to move & sticks

SOURCE: The kitchenaid speed lever is bent and jammed

Hi TIMDEIST, I hate it when you drop your mixer... they’re really not designed for gravity testing. Let’s see what you can do to get it fixed and operable again. The good news is that this can be fixed quite easily (OK, maybe a little effort) by yourself, if you are a DITY type person, feel adventurous, and your mixer is not under warranty. Be sure you have the Parts List manual on hand. If you're lacking one, you can download a PDF version from the KA website at: http://www.kitchenaid.com/flash.cmd?/#/page/home.
Click on Customer Care>Locate Manuals& Guides> then enter the visitor type “Consumer” and enter the 6 character model number, in this case K45SSW, and then select the file under Parts List (1) K45SSWH0.pdf (341.41 KB) (definitely check to see it this matches your mixer).
Although not providing step by step instructions, the Parts List manual provides an exploded view of the various component assemblies allowing you to see how the mixer all fits together. It is helpful for the disassembly, troubleshooting, and reassembly of your mixer.
Turn to pages 6 & 7, titled “Motor And Control Parts”, and locate Ill. Nos. 1, 2, 3, & 4. #3 is your Switch Lever and stud. If you can’t straighten it out then you will need to replace it. It might also be a good idea to check and see if anything else might be out of alignment due to the sudden stop when it was dropped.
As far as parts go, here are five potential vendors in no particular order: RepairClinic.com; mendingshed.com; searspartsdirect.com; partstore.com; and Grainger.com (for grease). Prices can vary widely between vendors, so do some comparison shopping. Here are some links to several excellent websites that detail the disassembling/greasing and reassembly of a KA Mixer.
Finally, here are some links to several excellent websites that detail the disassembling/reassembly of a KA Mixer.

• http://www.artisanbreadbaking.com/discussions/kitchen-aid.htm
• http://www.neilcrockett.com/mixer.htm
• http://www.foodonthefood.com/food_on_the_food/2009/04/how-to-repair-a-kitchenaid-mixer-yourself.html

SOURCE: Motor head locking lever is

Hello Flyfishing19,

The problem that you are experiencing is due to the torque that is put on the head while mixing dough. The lock is still working fine, although it is getting wear. You can replace the locking mechanism. However, it will work for a while longer. If you want to change the mechanism post back to this thread and I will be happy to locate you one and explain how to change it.

SOURCE: My KitchenAid tilt head lock

In my case the lock was not engaging fully because the internal mechanism was bent too short. I'm not sure if this happened over time or if it is just a manufacturing defect. If your mixer still has some up-and-down play to it when the lock is engaged, then you might have the same problem as me


To fix it, search this site and others for instructions on how to remove the motor cover. I found this video useful: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VeCiivPt7hk

With the cover removed you have access to the locking mechanism. In my case, the latch is connected to the locking lever via a bent S-hook. The hook was just slightly too short which kept the latch from engaging completely. If you remove the two screws holding the hook in place and that allows the lock to close completely, then you have the same problem as me. (You'll feel the difference immediately. When fully locked, there is practically no wobble in the mixer head.)

I lengthened the hook by placing it against a flat surface and hammering the bend out a bit.