1990 Whirlpool Direct Drive 280184 Tub Support Bearing/Seal Replacement

[ratfink]

Hi
I have a 1990s Whirlpool Direct Drive Washer I am rebuilding. Need to know how to replace the Bushings and Seals inside the Tube part.

Seems most replace the Tub Support however they are no longer available new.

Thanks for the help.

 

[combo52]

Replacing main bearings and seals on a direct drive

Direct drive machine use the same bearings and seals that the belt drive machines used. You need to press the old bearings out and press the new ones in with the bearing installer tool.

I don’t think I’ve ever seen it direct drive washer that needed new bearings. If water has been in the bearings for a long time they are probably ruined. Usually when rebuilding them. I just replace the top seal and put a new spin tube if the spin tube plating was damaged or badly worn.

But if the bearings are not badly worn or scored, there’s no value whatsoever in replacing them. They really don’t wear out unless water has been in there.

John

 

[blockeight88]

Spin tube

John, did you know that Whirlpool no longer makes the spin tube tub support (280184).  I'm curious where you find them now that they are NLA? Ones on eBay are priced way too high and hit or miss. 

 

[combo52]

Center post for direct Drive whirlpool washers

Hi Matt, I’m not surprised they discontinued this part. It was almost never needed. I think I’ve only ever replaced two or three of them in my entire career and I have so many good used ones laying around. I don’t think I will ever need one, when you consider that they built nearly hundred million of these washers, it won’t be that hard to find One if the need ever arises.

They still have the one for the 24 inch compact washer because they had a lot of trouble with that one breaking where the struts Mount to it.

John

 

[murando531]

@ratfink - Any updates on your rebuild? I'm running into the same issues with rebuilding this KitchenAid. In fact, I bought a "refurbished" tub support because the existing one is rusting through badly, but when I got it, it's in great condition, but the seals were dried out (pictured in thread 96137), and the bearings have some scoring on them. I have a brand new seal and bearing kit ready, but I can't for the life of me get these bearings to budge using the method of knocking them out, which is the only way I can find video of to do it. The main issue is that after I got the top seal out, there's another seal underneath that I'm trying to pry out without damaging the inside of the tube, and even with one side of it being bent pretty good, I can't get it out. I'm so disgusted with it because if I could just get this bearing job done right the first time, I have everything else spotless and ready to just pop the machine back together like Legos.

@john - Do you have any advice for getting these out, or know of the part number for the bearing puller/presser tool?

I'll add the link to one of the videos of the rebuild that I'm referencing. The only difference in how I'm doing it is that my tub support isn't attached to the machine like this. I thought it would be easier to work on without it banging around on the frame and suspension, but that hasn't been the case.

 

[combo52]

Tub support for direct Drive whirlpool built top load washer

Part number 280184 may still be available but it doesn’t seem to be in stock locally sometimes that’s not a good sign, the list price is $214 around here.

Hi Andrew, if you want to send me the tripod and your Bearing kit, I can install them for you probably about $60 in labor Plus, return shipping cost.

If you want to do it yourself I could explain how to do it. It’s not that difficult without the special tools, but you’ll either need a bearing installer or an arbor press.

John