1974 Lady Kenmore Outer Tub Repair HELP!

[maytag85]

I replaced the hose clamps on my Whirlpool with worm clamps back in 2021, haven’t had an issue. Recently went to Home Depot to get some more hose clamps since I haven’t got a chance to replace the hose clamps that go from the pump trap to the pump, along with the hose clamps to the hose that goes from the pump to the drain hose.

Ended up having to replace the hose from the pump trap to the pump since it ended up splitting on me when I was dismantling the machine for a cleaning and painting that I wasn’t anew to get to 3 years ago back in 2021. Crazy as this sounds, can fabricate new hoses out of plumbing parts, even made a new piece for the pressure switch and recirculating lint filter/automatic dispensers. Definitely more beefed up than the originals.

 

[Marky_Mark]

Hi Sean.  Yes it was your post from a while back about replacing the clamps that made me decide to replace mine.

 

Mark

 

[combo52]

Water pumps on Belt Drive whirlpool machines

There’s nothing wrong with the screw type hose clamps, but they do not clamp as evenly and you don’t want to overtighten them, the spring type clamps actually work better but it’s not unusual for them to just rust a little bit and simply break after 50 years or more, so it’s not a bad idea to replace them.

The four port water pump that whirlpool used was a complex pump while they mostly worked well it was not the most durable thing they had seal and bearing problems. They had an extra diverter seal so it’s not unheard of for one of them to leak we used to buy them by the case full. Luckily, there’s still so many good new ones out there that I don’t think we’re going to run out of water pumps for belt drive machines anytime soon.

Water pumps were One of the things that Maytag did beautifully nobody had a better water pump ever than Maytag, I always carried one in my truck, but it was not unusual for me to not need one for years at a time.

The next best water pump where the GE filter flow water pumps once they changed to plastic Bodies, they often outlasted the machine. It did seem later on when the phosphates were taken out of detergent that you started seeing more seal failures, however.

Norge had a very good water pump when they went to the super capacity machine, at first they had a pot metal pump that rotted out, but once they went to black bake a light that was one of the most indestructible pumps as well. Had a nice ball bearing on the belt side

Later on Norge cheapened that water pump and it really just had a single bearing they were never any good.

 

[Marky_Mark]

Update:

Thanks for the advice on fixing up this washer.  I'm pleased to say it's working great with no leaks!  I removed the pump and it showed no signs of ever having leaked, so I think the dripping during draining might have been due to a loose hose.  Nevertheless I installed the new pump but I wasn't happy with how it was working, so I reinstalled the original pump and once again it was back to working great and still without leaking a single drop.

 

I've also just finished converting the dryer from electric to gas.  I salvaged the rear bulkhead and drum from another vintage LK dryer to use in this machine, as they were in better condition.  

 

This set did a great job of washing and drying 6 loads a few days ago.  Not bad considering this set is 50 years old!

 

Mark

 

[repairguy]

Congrats on getting them going again!

 

[washerlover]

Hey Mark! So happy to these machines went to a good home and are receiving tender, loving care! Cheers, Todd