1974/5 Maytag A107 Washing Machine finally gave up the ghost

[galinaz]

I have a 1974/5 Maytag A107 washing machine, original owner, got it as a graduation present from college. Needs new disc pads and mechanic said bottom tray flexes and can't be replaced. Sigh, it lasted longer than anything I've ever owned! Should I sell it for parts?

 

[yogitunes]

body and controls look to be in decent shape.....worst case scenario, search around for another machine similar/capacity to it, and switch the body over to that base....

 

[hippiedoll]

"Needs new disc pads and bottom tray flexes"...

Wait, what??

In not no Maytag expert but...
This doesn't sound right to me?

If by "DISC PADS" he means the DAMPER PADS, you can by a new damper pad kit and replace them. I've boughten a few damper pad kits off of eBay, but I can't remember for how much, I'm thinking maybe like $16+?

As for the "BOTTOM TRAY FLEXES", I don't know what the mechanic means by that? I'm guessing the base of the cabinet? Others who know more about Maytags can chime in and tell you about the cabinet base.

I'm just curious here...
What did your Maytag do, to make you think it was a goner?

By the way...
WELCOME TO THE GROUP!
)

 

[stuftrock1]

Ima have to agree with the guy above me. Something doesn’t quite sound right. The bottom tray flexes? Take the front cover off and see if there’s any rust that could have compromised the metal. If there is, you have a leak somewhere.

But from what you described it doesn’t quite sound like your machine is a goner.

 

[DADoES]

 
Could be the worn damper pads were ignored for too long, caused the tub support to grind on the base metal-to-metal and wearing it all down.

 

[stuftrock1]

Yeah that is a possibility. Open it up and post pictures before you even consider thinking about parting out that beautiful Maytag.

 

[cfz2882]

fix it

as noted,worse case would be swapping in entire tub,tranny, suspension,from similar vintage donor,keeping original cabinet,controls,motor ETC,

 

[daveamkrayoguy]

Looks like my late-Mom's A-107 she'd bought in 1978, a few years later, that probably to this day DIDN"T give up the ghost, but I'd wanted a full-featured, in that standard-capacity, almond 1992...

-- Dave

 

[vacman1961]

Oh come on, it sounds like your repairman does not want to do the job. In my 42 years repairing washers the only time I have seen a Maytag base flex is when it was a total rust bucket. Your machine looks like it is in perfect physical condition. The snubber pads are a pain to replace but well worth it. I would find an old time appliance repairman and have the job done. Don't give up on the old gal yet, it looks like she has quite a few more good years ahead of her.

 

[lowefficiency]

>> In my 42 years repairing washers the only time I have seen a Maytag base flex is when it was a
>> total rust bucket. Your machine looks like it is in perfect physical condition.

My A408 confirms this - the base is super rusty from years of neglect by the prior owner, yet still structural enough to run perfectly. However, it clearly shows that rust from the outside, around the bottom of the cabinet. With how pristine this A107 cabinet looks on the outside, I can't imagine it has any rust damage inside serious enough to cause those kinds of problems.

 

[redcarpetdrew]

You might be able to save the pads...

Are the Pads gone or just dry. If they are not allowing the tub mechanism to move with the load in spin without grabbing the base frame, then it can look like the base is flexing. I have seen actual cracked/damaged base frames but very few! I attached a how to I did a number of years ago on damper pad maintenance and/or replacement and hope it helps...

It’s a fantastic machine and most likely not toast. Many of the techs out in the field have no clue how to work on them properly and so just take the easy way out and say it’s not fixable or throw a huge cost on it to chase you off and still get your money... sad...

RCD

Lubing the damper pads on a Maytag Dependable Care washer. A How To.

Since I had to do one in the field, I'd thought I'd share the process to let people see how it's done and how easy it is, thereby saving you the heartache of a destroyed damper.. Here goes! In the field, there isn't always room to spread out but there is more than enough room here to get it done.

www.automaticwasher.org

 

[rp2813]

GREAT to see you posting here again Andy!

 

[DADoES]

 
Greetings, RCD!

 

[goatfarmer]

RCD returns!