1986 Whirlpool Imperial Seventy belt drive washer

[po90260]

Agitator would slip and bang. Taking out some clothes would stop the problem but we had to do extra loads. A repairman on the phone said that a spring in the gearbox that engages agitator is worn out. I suspect water in the gearcase. While washing there was an oily smell but nothing got in the clothes. Some greasy water was dripping on the floor. The grease is foul smelling light brown muddy looking.

I decided to drop the gearbox for inspection but it doesn't want to pull loose even through I've removed all of the nuts holding the gearbox. The shaft for the agitator doesn't pull through. I've never removed a gearbox before.

I've gotten over twenty years use out of it. Is this a waste of time?

In Los Angeles

 

[revvinkevin]

No it shouldn't be a waist of time. Do you like the washer other wise? Does it do a good job?

Yes it sounds to me like the agitator shaft seals are leaking and allowing water into the transmission (but there are others out here that know better then I). Did you remove the agitator before you attempted to drop the trans? If not, you need to.

What is your name and do you have any photos of the washer and what you've done so far?

I'm about 20 minutes South down the 405 from you!
Kevin

 

[po90260]

Yes, I removed the agitator. The washer has always done a good job.

Assuming I somehow remove the gearbox, how can I fix that spring inside?

Will replacing the shaft seals require a special tool?

Paul

near the 405Fwy & Rosecrans

 

[po90260]

here's picture that you wanted

 

[mrb627]

Clean

Looks pretty clean to me.

Malcolm

 

[kenmoreguy64]

Paul -

If you have all three transmission bolts out, the little spring off the clutch, the wires removed from the wig-wag and the pump disconnected or removed (I can see that the pump is out) then the gearcase should come out if the agitator has been removed. Make sure that the left side of the gearcase isn't being blocked by the top of the motor.

You may need to grip the gearcase with both hands and swivel it side to side as you pull outward. If that doesn't work, you can take the basket out from above and take the basket drive out with the gearcase. Sometimes grooves are worn on the agitator shaft from seals/bearings in the spin tube which cause some corrosion on the shaft enough that they don't come apart easily.

If you suspect water in the gearcase (yes they can stink - the oil smells funny even when fresh) then you should change both the spin-tube and centerpost bearing seals. This is major work, requires special tools, and experience or a repair manual.

The transmission will then have to be either addressed or replaced. I have re-used transmissions that previously had water in them, in fact one that was water logged I rebuilt in 1995 and have put more than 1,000 loads on its 'clock'. Every part needs to be thoroughly washed in a parts cleaner. It is NOT easy to replace the spings in the gearcase by yourself. Reassembly is the issue - I usually take mine to my Dad so he can insert the agitator cam bar while I pull up on the agitator shaft. It's easy when the springs are broken, but tough when they are new.

These are GREAT machines, and I personally would go out of my way to have one if I were you, but I don't know that I would recommend you try all this work by yourself. I learned to do this over many repairs/rebuilds and to this day I have to be in the mood to do it.

Gordon

 

[po90260]

Are all of the parts that you mentioned still available?
What are these special tools?
Is there a repair manual posted online?

I must fix this myself because I don't have money to hire someone. I only have a loaner machine for a couple months so I need to get busy.