1-18 parts request

[jons1077]

Ok, so I finally took the plunge and decided to gut my '76 1-18. At some point this poor thing was living in a rat infested place and it was diiirty! I wasn't able to get the entire cabinet off because a couple of the screws were rusted too much so I had to pretty much do this the hard way.

I scrubbed and scrubbed the insides and the baseplate. All of the rat dung and hair is finally gone along with that horrible smell.

The issue now is, I got everything back together and in place, but now I'm having trouble getting the tub to balance. The vertical springs seem to be fine I suppose. They all have very strong tension still. As for the centering springs (the lighter, smaller ones that go side to side), a couple of them seem to be weak. I think rust and 33 years have taken their toll.

The question is... Does anyone have these springs or know where I can find them? I haven't tried a hardware store or machine shop yet. Open to any suggestions here.

Thanks all!

Jon

 

[redcarpetdrew]

A cleaning hint...

What we do at the shop with the really nasty ones is to open it up and hit it with a hose. We have ours hooked up to a hot water supply. Just hose the whole thing down and let it dry. Works every time. I don't have a lead on the springs so I will wish you success.

RCD

 

[launderess]

A Bit Late Now, But

it is VERY important to exercise care when cleaning away rodent droppings. Both the feces and urine of rats and mice contain horrible "germs", and the stuff should not be made air borne if at all possible.

Throw anything one used to clean with away (rags, mop, etc), and the area, including the inside of the washer should be disenfected with an EPA registered product.

 

[lebron]

Do you still need an agitator cap?

 

[jons1077]

Laundress

Nope it wasn't too late. I used heavy disinfectants on the insides. Scrubbed while wearing gloves, etc. Just used some old trash towels to clean everything up and discard. It was really nasty but cleaned up really well.

I have a good agitator cap now. I even have a fabric softener dispenser in place of the cap. I really need a good agitator one of these days. Mine got broken in one place. I took an exactoknife, trimmed it down, and smoothed it out with sandpaper. That makes it at least functional.

Anywho, thanks for the info and tips guys. I did get an email from a member that has springs so I may be in good shape.

Jon

 

[mickeyd]

Very arresting story--had no idea rats could be THAT foul

Glad you got --are getting--the springs. Remembering how grateful you were when I sent you the mini-basket.

When I came back, I wondered where you were, and sorry to get personal but when I blew up your pic to full size, I must say that those are two of the most beautiful human faces I've ever seen. Such beauty, cleanliness, and innocence having to deal with rat filth. Yikes! ;'D

May God keep you and protect you from such washer war horrors in the future.

Can't wait to see and hear about the 1-18 in operation and if you end up liking it as much as a Filter-Flo.

 

[jons1077]

Mickeyd,

The 1-18 is already hooked up and running. I think it's a great machine with lots of capacity. Will it ever be my favorite? hmm...not sure but I doubt it. The GE is so versatile and has great options. It just doesn't have the capacity of some of the others. Seems like we've been going through a lot of laundry lately with the two of us, two cats, and a big dog. The Westinhouse and 1-18 can handle a ton of clothes. The Kenmore pushbutton is purring along as well but, again, that small capacity is making me think the Maytag may get hooked up again too.

By the way, I use that mini-basket quite a bit. We're big basketball fans and our jersies need the gentlest care they can get hence the mini-basket.

Thanks again!

Jon