How to Add Oil to a Kitchenaid Stand Mixer

KitchenAid solid-state stand mixers K5SS, K45SS, KSMC50 and KSM90 often last more than 30 years with no repairs or adjustments. Although some of these mixers appear to leak oil, this actually is an indication that the old grease is separating. Repack a KitchenAid stand mixer with new grease using wheel bearing grease found at any auto parts store. KitchenAid packs the mixer with Shell Durina #2 grease, which can be ordered from KitchenAid or others online.

Things You'll Need

• Plastic bag
• Rubber band
• 2 flat screwdrivers
• Towel or cloth
• Draft punch
• Grease remover
• Wheel bearing grease
• Phillips screwdriver
• Popsicle stick(s)

Instructions

1. Wrap the mixer's wall plug in a plastic bag and secure it with a rubber band. This is a safety measure to ensure that no grease gets on the plug.

2. Remove the drip cup. The drip cup is the silver ring that encircles the planetary housing. Use a small flat screwdriver on the top lip of the drip cup to loosen and remove it.

3. Lay the mixer on its side. It is a good idea to put a towel or cloth underneath the mixer.

4. Remove the groove pin that holds the planetary gear assembly to the center shaft. Use a 5/32-inch punch to do this. Removing the groove pin allows the planetary assembly cover to be removed.

5. Pry the planetary gear cover down and off the shaft using two flat screwdrivers.

6. Unscrew and remove the five screws on the perimeter of the gear assembly. These screws hold the internal gear assembly to the gear case. This is the first area that must be packed with grease.

7. Remove the old grease with grease remover and a flat screwdriver, popsicle stick or knife to aid removal of dried or packed old grease.

8. Fill this gear assembly area with new grease as the mixer is reassembled.

9. Unscrew and remove the four large screws that secure the base to the top portion of the mixer. Use a large Philips screwdriver.

10. Remove the three Phillips head screws from the worm gear assembly that secure it to the top housing.

11. Lift out the worm gear assembly.

12. Check the worm gear, the shaft and pinion. The shaft and pinion has 11 teeth on the K45SS; on all other models, it has 10 teeth. If the condition of the worm gear assembly is still pristine, lightly coat all surfaces of the worm gear assembly with new grease before reassembling the mixer.

13. Drive out the groove pin with a punch if the gear assembly needs to be taken apart. This allows the gears to be replaced and the gear parts to be re-greased.

14. Clean the roof of the gear case. This are may be packed with old grease and takes a full 6 oz. of new grease. Dislodge stuck old grease with a flat screw driver or popsicle stick.

15. Fill the roof of the gear case area with six ounces of new grease as the mixer is reassembled.

16. Reattach the worm gear assembly and bearing bracket to the gear case bottom cover, making sure the two dowels fit into base of the bearing bracket. Securely tighten the three screws that hold the bearing bracket.

17. Clean the gasket cover of the gear case. Replace the gasket cover by securing it over the dowel and pressing the gasket down.

18. Reattach the top and bottom mixer sections, being careful to line up the shaft in the upper gear housing. Do not force the pieces together; they should assemble easily.

19. Replace the internal gear by prying it loose from the gear case cover. Replace it by aligning notches with the holes in the gear case, and screwing in the five screws to secure it.

20. Fill the teeth of the internal gear with new grease if you have not already done so.

21. Reattach the top and bottom mixer sections by using the four large Phillips screws.

22. Reassemble the planetary gear housing, being sure to lightly grease the shaft and all gears. Attach the reassembled planetary housing to the mixer by driving in the groove pin that secures it and replacing the drip cup on the gear case.

Tips & Warnings

• Be sure to download the KitchenAid service manual from the Mending Shed website. It is a free PDF version download that greatly aids all KitchenAid repairs by adding pictures to all instructions.

References

• Mending Shed: KitchenAid Service Manual

Resources

• Neil Rockett: How To Fix Your KitchenAid Mixer
• Mending Shed: KitchenAid Mixer Parts