1986 Kenmore 60 Series DD--Refurb Project

[repairguy]

You have in your hand a new oil seal. One goes under the top bearing and two under the bottom bearing originally. This machine had 2 top water seals which you may still be able to get but whirlpool went to a single top triple lip seal for the top water seal above the bearing. I’m away from the part number at the moment but hopefully someone will come along in the meantime with the updated number.

 

[ddfan92]

Thanks Mel. Maybe if I can find all the oil and water seals, might as well just go ahead and replace them all for being nearly 40 years old.

 

[jr2712]

Seals interchangeability

Sorry for asking in this thread but I would like to know if the water seals and oil seals of the DDs work on the BDs and vice versa

 

[maytag85]

Interestingly enough, the center post seals on both the belt drive and direct drive are completely interchangeable, even the tub seal is the same. Whirlpool shortened the center post seal in 1978, unfortunately lots of the later belt drives (even some direct drives) had issues where the center post seals would fail, water could possibly make it’s way to the transmission and to quote Gordon: “Would spill it’s guts”. All Whirlpool machines built before 1978 (1977 and older) have the full height center post, usually the bearings and seals would last a good while before needing replacement.

 

[ddfan92]

Sean,

Have you seen or heard from Gordon at all? Does he still post here?

 

[jr2712]

Thank you Sean!

 

[maytag85]

Reply #44

Gordon is still around, he’s just been busy with life. He commented on a thread regarding the timer on my Whirlpool, but haven’t seen him post for a good while. Tyler in NC talks to Gordon every now and again, even he was storing some machines of his at this house back in 2019 but even then, it’s been awhile since I’ve talked to Tyler on the phone since he’s been busy as well. Been almost a solid year since I’ve talked to anyone really.

 

[ddfan92]

Reply #46

Good to know he's still kicking 'round. He and I chatted over email some time ago about direct drive timers and the various subtle differences between models that are similar to each other. He's very informed about Kenmores in general, especially the older belt drive machines.

 

[maytag85]

Reply #47

I believe Gordon even worked for Sears in the 80’s and early 90’s from a few threads in the archives.

Btw, is your email working? I sent you a email as a reply, but I must have not gone through or something. Might be something on my end since I’ve had that happen before where I’ll have to send a email a few times to get through. Might be something with the server or the internet in some regions.

 

[ddfan92]

Would this work, and is there any place cheaper I could get it? Thanks

 

[repairguy]

Yes that is the kit for a direct drive. For some reason they are expensive.

 

[maytag85]

Not sure why they are expensive, probably because a bearing replacement on a direct drive was few and far between hence why the bearing kit was expensive. Wonder if direct drive bearings will fit on a direct drive since the spin tube is the same size.

 

[combo52]

Direct drive washer, center post bearings

Are the same size as belt drive washer, bearings and seals, I’ve never seen bad bearings in a direct drive washer. I have replaced the upper seal on occasion when doing a complete rebuild and lubricated the bearings.

I think this is what Sean was trying to say that they’re the same on both style whirlpool top load washers.

John

 

[ddfan92]

Update:

Well, I decided to just buy the seal & bearing kit from searspartsdirect.com and they just came today. What sort of grease do you recommend to put inside the tub support shaft?

 

[combo52]

Replacing bearings and seals

Hi Steven, you just use turban oil to lubricate the inside of the center post tube and the outside of the bearings when you install the bearings.

I would do some additional removal of rust inside the tube at the top of the center post, it Has to be completely smooth for the bearings to go in easily, and also keeps it from damaging the seals as they pushed in place.

John

 

[ddfan92]

Thanks John!

 

[ddfan92]

Hang on....

Did you mean to say *turbine* oil? Just making sure haha.

 

[maytag85]

Reply #56

Turbine oil aka Zoon Spout oil which is SAE 20 weight non detergent oil.

 

[ddfan92]

Thanks Sean.

 

[maytag85]

Reply #58

You’re very welcome. Turbine oil/Zoom Spout is important when dealing with sleeve bearings on vintage washers and dryers, especially when dealing with the Maytag HOH dryers. A detergent oil has gumming agents which can cause the wicking material to be clogged with dirt and varnish which is bad news since it’ll mean the bearing won’t get proper lubrication. That’s what I use whenever I oil the main drum bearing on my HOH’s, or when I happen to do the annual cleaning a lubrication of the vintage GE Vortalex fan I have (will need to make a video of it at some point) or the vintage Windsor box fan I picked up a few weeks ago.