Niches / Dishwasher lower spray arms

Size / fit replacement

Dishwasher lower spray arms: Whirlpool W10837249 / WPW10491331 vs Bosch 359975 / 00744883

A cracked, clogged, warped, or melted lower spray arm leaves gritty glasses and dirty dishes on the bottom rack. Shoppers often order “a Whirlpool spray arm” or “a Bosch spray arm” by brand alone, confuse the lower arm with the upper or mid arm, or miss that an older part number has been superseded. This page helps you read the full dishwasher model, tell the common Whirlpool-family path W10837249 (and its current catalog successor WPW10491331) from the Bosch paths 00359975 (older SHE / SHU / SHI) and 00744883 (newer 300 / 500 / 800 Series), then reorder an Amazon-available arm that prints the part number.

As an Amazon Associate we may earn from qualifying purchases. Product links below are marked PENDING_ASSOCIATES until a Tracking ID is configured — names and search paths are honest; no invented affiliate tag.

Who needs this

• Whirlpool / KitchenAid / Maytag / Amana / Kenmore owners whose lower arm cracked, split at the seam, or melted on the heating element
• Bosch owners with a broken or clogged bottom arm who are not sure whether their model takes 00359975 or 00744883
• Anyone whose bottom rack comes out gritty while the top rack is clean
• DIYers who found W10837249 on an old diagram and now see WPW10491331 listed as the current part
• Shoppers comparing a genuine OEM arm with cheaper Amazon aftermarket copies of the same part number

How to choose (model, lower vs upper, supersession, OEM number)

1. Confirm the arm is the problem. Pull the arm, rinse it, and clear the spray holes with a toothpick. Clean the filter. If the arm is cracked, split, warped, missing pieces, or melted, replace it. If it is only clogged, a cleaning may be enough.
2. Read the full dishwasher model on the label along the tub edge or inside the door rim. For Bosch, note the model plus the slash suffix (e.g. SHE53T55UC/02). Look up that exact model on a parts diagram and copy the lower spray arm number.
3. Lower vs upper vs mid. Upper and mid arms are separate SKUs (Bosch upper 00745856, for example). Do not order a lower arm because the photo “looks about the same.”
4. Pick the right family. Brand alone is not enough.
   • Whirlpool W10837249: lower arm for many WDT750 / WDTA50 / WDT970 / WDF760 / WDT920 / WDT975 / WDT995 models. Replaces W10629546, W10838302. Amazon: genuine OEM B01KR8FDT2-class; aftermarket B0B1ZDD9S6 / B0DCZQP5JY-class.
   • Whirlpool WPW10491331: current catalog number that lists W10837249, W10849471, W10629546 and many older lower arms as replaced. Amazon aftermarket B0F4XFFGD7 / B0B9RZZK5N-class. Confirm your full model on the listing either way.
   • Other Whirlpool lower arms: some models use a different assembly (e.g. WPW10340527). Trust your diagram, not the brand name.
   • Bosch 00359975: older SHE / SHU / SHI, DW44Z, GI936-class models (about 24" long, gray). Amazon: Bosch OEM B01HJH79RS / B004XLDL3A-class; ForeverPRO B082H76YNL-class.
   • Bosch 00744883: newer 300 / 500 / 800 Series (SHE33T*, SHE53T*, SHE65T*, SHE68T*, SHP878WD5N-class). Amazon: Bosch OEM B0CGVY2LWX-class; aftermarket B0DQTNZ28Z-class.
5. OEM vs Amazon aftermarket. Search Amazon by the OEM number. Genuine arms cost more; aftermarket copies are cheaper but can vary in hub fit and spray-hole pattern. Prefer titles that print the OEM number and list your full model.
6. Lock it in. Many arms push on and twist or click to lock. An arm that is not fully seated can lift off during a hot cycle and melt on the heating element. Spin it by hand after install. PENDING_ASSOCIATES until a Tracking ID is configured.

Comparison criteria (what matters when shopping)

Common product paths (examples only)

These show up often in U.S. shopping. Verify the part number and full model before ordering.

FAQ

Is W10837249 the same as WPW10491331?

Many OEM parts catalogs list WPW10491331 as the current number that replaces W10837249 (and W10629546, W10838302, W10849471). Amazon still sells both. Buy whichever listing names your full model number.

Bosch 00359975 or 00744883?

It depends on the model and generation. 00359975 covers many older SHE / SHU / SHI and DW44Z models. 00744883 covers many newer 300 / 500 / 800 Series models such as SHE53T55UC. Check your model plus the slash suffix on a parts diagram.

Why did my lower spray arm melt?

Usually the arm was not fully locked on its hub, lifted during a hot cycle, and landed on the heating element. Seat the new arm until it clicks or locks, spin it by hand, and scrape any melted plastic off the element before running a cycle.

Can I just clean it instead of replacing it?

Often, yes. Remove the arm, rinse it, clear the spray holes, and clean the filter. Replace it only if it is cracked, split, warped, missing pieces, or melted.

OEM or Amazon aftermarket?

Search by the OEM number either way. Genuine arms match the hub and spray pattern exactly. Aftermarket copies cost less and work for many people, but pick one that prints the OEM number and your model.

How is this different from dishwasher salt?

Dishwasher salt refills a softener reservoir on some (mostly European-style) machines. This page covers the spinning spray arm under the bottom rack, a size/fit replacement part.

Starter list of real products, brands, and resources

Honest directory notes only — no star ratings, no “best of” claims, no traffic or revenue numbers. Links go to official or primary shopping / education pages. Prices and stock change; verify before buying.

Quick reorder checklist

• Clean the arm and filter first. Replace only if cracked, warped, split, or melted
• Read the full dishwasher model (plus Bosch slash suffix)
• Confirm lower vs upper vs mid arm
• Copy the OEM number: W10837249 / WPW10491331 (Whirlpool family) or 00359975 / 00744883 (Bosch)
• Prefer listings that print the OEM number and your model
• Install until it locks, spin by hand, and check the heating element for melted plastic