'91 Maytag A8740 Orbital Trans with Stuck Agitator Shaft

[nickl]

Hi folks, I picked up a '91 A8740 Maytag washer that was a daily driver until 3 weeks ago. It was reportedly making a 'bad bearing' sound during agitation.
My experience is on a '75 helical A107 and an '01 Performa before this orbital trans one.

The agitator seal had a good 32 year run, but has failed.

The agitator shaft seal area isn't too bad, but the shaft is binding in the trans sleeve bearing. The tub is off, and the pully can be rotated by hand with some effort. The trans and shaft "groan" when the shaft rotates in either direction. The oil was normal in level and it doesn't look very opaque or yellow to me.

I took the clip off the agitator shaft to remove it from the trans, but the shaft is stuck and it won't budge.
I tried tapping on a 19/32" wrench that fits snugly on the shaft between the splines and the seal land, no-go.
I put penetrating oil between the shaft flange and the trans housing overnight...still stuck.

Is there any trick to removing these shafts, and if so what are the chances of the sleeve bearing in the trans actually surviving ?

Or is this when these trans couldn't take a seal+shaft rebuild kit and they went to the trash pile ?

 

[combo52]

Stuck agitator shaft

Hi Nick, those transmissions are still plan a full I would just replace the transmission, if the shaft to see’s there is likely bearing damage and chef damage at a minimum.

I just put a 2000 Maytag washer with the transmission you need on the scrap truck on Sunday that will get dumped on Thursday that has a perfect orbital transmission in it, I’ve stopped bothering saving most of these common Maytag parts.

I did a thread comparing late 70s Maytag dryer to a new Maytag dryer and there were three people that were very negative and bullying. I’ve just decided to stop saving these parts but if you want this transmission, come and get it ,

John

 

[qsd-dan]

The agitator seal had a good 32 year run, but has failed.

Water intrusion from the failed seal between the shaft and the sleeve bearings probably took out bearings. I'd find another transmission because a new shaft will probably not fix the problem. This is why I recommend replacing the stem and boot seal BEFORE it fails, otherwise, trashed transmission.

 

[nickl]

John, I am game and just sent you a PM.

I think you and Dan are spot on with the advice.
I have had penetrating oil on the shaft for two days now. It no longer groans and the belt can now drive it, BUT the sleeve gets warm with just one agitation cycle.
I thought perhaps the shaft might come out if tapped while rotating ... nope.
Even if I do/did manage to get it out, with it putting up this much of a fight the sleeve bearing is probably toast.

Thanks for the quick responses and the guidance ... I appreciate it.

 

[good-shepherd]

just put a 2000 Maytag washer on the scrap truck

John, what was the cause of death on that 2000 MT washer?

 

[combo52]

Reply number four

Hi Douglas, it died of the Black death, the black death or bad transmissions or NLA timers are the primary reason Maytag dependable care machines are hitting the scrap pile.

This stack Maytag was only used by one single guy. He did have a couple dogs though we put a new seal in top top bearing in in 2008 other than that it just had a few minor repairs but he gave up on it with the damper problem and we put a new GE top load stack in.

John

 

[good-shepherd]

it died of the Black death

Those damper pads must have been bone dry or weren't glued well at the factory, or both.

Hate sound like a broken record but vintage Maytag owners- lube those damper pads.