A couple of concerns about my Maytag 806 washer

[floyde]

A few questions concerns about newly acquired 1978 806.

1. The tub surround is always off about a 1/2 inch or so after a load is complete.

2. I don't seem to be getting any lint/hair in the center agitator lint filter.
From using other Maytags I always remember some lint?

3. When spin is completed sort of a dull thud. Nothing loud ,
but definitely not a quiet ending to the spin.

4 . I did a load of sheets this morning and although it spun at high speed.
The sheets seemed not really damp dry, but a little more wet.

Towels I did last night seemed damp dry. I don't know if it's the nature of the sheets and cases getting air pockets in them.

Anyway, if anyone wants to chime in on one or any of my concerns I certainly appreciate it.

BTW I'm not mechanically inclined at all! LOL

Of course, I don't want any issues, but because these are such a simple design premise,
Would a service repairman even deal with these because if their age.

Thanks so much!

 

[revvinkevin]

 

 

Hi Floyd!

 

A few answers to your questions.........

 

1. The tub surround is always off about a 1/2 inch or so after a load is complete.

The washer is not "level".   Yes I adjusted the feet so it wouldn't dance around your laundry room, but all 4 legs need to be adjusted to make the washer completely level.

2. I don't seem to be getting any lint/hair in the center agitator lint filter.
It MUST be those non-linting clothes you are washing!   (ducks & runs!)  ;-)

 

3. When spin is completed sort of a dull thud.

Not completely sure about that one as I didn't hear it when I was there.   Peraps the brake assembly?   Not sure.   Can you shoot a video of the noise?

 

4 . I did a load of sheets this morning and although it spun at high speed.
Do they feel "more wet" than when the other washer spun them out?   I've noticed my sheets seem to be "rather wet" too when the cycle is complete, but they don't take any longer to dry than normal.

>> Would a service repairman even deal with these because if their age.
I suspect some (who don't care) may not, OR may give you a really high estimate and some BS about parts availability to try and convince you to junk it and buy a new one.

Kevin

[this post was last edited: 5/13/2014-14:49]

 

[floyde]

Thanks Kevin.

You know from meeting me I'm slightly OCD!lol!

Okay we will work on leveling it in this slanted old Spanish house!

The thud (very slight). Is not at the first spin stop,
Just at the final damp dry cycle end. So maybe it is me.

I will video a cycle end.

Thanks again !

 

[hippiedoll]

GREAT!!!

answers kevin!!!

i hope you get it working in tip top shape floyde!!!
keep us posted.....

and i'll be looking for your video to see your baby in action!!

;o)

 

[lightedcontrols]

my 2 cents...

If the machine is level, and the tub is still off by half inch, you might want to check the damper pads and replace them.

Lint removal is best on full loads. At small, there is no water that circulates through the agitator filter.

Without hearing the thud it's hard to even make a guess as to the problem.

High thread count sheets WILL feel wetter than inexpensive perm-press sheets when the spin cycle is finished. Bypass the lid switch and see if the tub is up to speed.

There are lots of techs that still work on the Dependable Care Maytags since lots of parts are still available. When you call for service, give them the model number and ask if they work on that model machine.

Best of luck.
Mark

 

[DigAPony]

When was the last time the belts, particularly the drive belt was replaced. Replacement is about as simple as it gets for those. The motor slides could be worn, binding and/or need lubrication, Damper pads as mentioned could also be worn and/need lube. The indexing tub could be tweaked by adjusting the tub suspension springs.

At 36 years old even a mighty Maytag A806 will need maintenance eventually.

 

[revvinkevin]

even a mighty Maytag A806 will need maintenance eventually.

 

 

Very good point Doug!

 

This 806 is all new to Floyd as I delivered the set to him this past Saturday, so he's only had them just over 3 days.

 

The belts appear to be in good shape as when testing the washer, it agitated briskly and got up to full "spinning speed" quickly, even with a tub full of water.   I also didn't see the tub indexing at all, so the brake seems to be holding tight.

 

Also when I moved the tub around (front / back / side to side) it moved smoothly, but with the normal amount of resistance it should have.   This is not to say the damper pads couldn't use a little fresh poly lube, as it's probably had zero done since new.

 

Kevin

 

[beekeyknee]

If Mark means "tricking" the lid switch into thinking the lid is closed that would be OK, as in using a wad of cardboard or a few coins or whatever wedged between the switch and the lid, that would be fine. But wiring past the lid switch isn't a good idea. It disables the out of balance shut off.

 

[revvinkevin]

 

 

Good suggestion Brian!   While I was there i grabbed a plastic spatula from the kitchen and used that to "trick" the lid switch.   I suggested to Floyd he get a wooden clothe pin and use half of it for the lid switch.   I've done that many times and it works great!

 

Kevin

 

[floyde]

A couple more questions

Well I had a very nice repairman that still work on the Maytag A806.

He lubricated the machine and it no longer make the thud at the end of the spin.

He changed the belts, but now there is a metal on metal sound like the tub is hitting the tub surroundings at the during agitation.

It is usually on heavier loads like towels,
But definitely like at the end of each complete rollover.

So several times during a wash cycle.

I can hold the tub and it will not scrap making this banging noise.

It also squeals at the start if the spin cycle on every load.

Could the belts be too tight.

Also u am now getting lint after each load.

I was never getting any lint before.

I know from previous Maytag use that I always had a little lint in the filter.

Do what ever he did that is resolved.

I'm just worried about this metal on metal sound.

If I hold the tub during the washer cycle there is no knocking.

What could be causing the knocking during agitation and squeal at the beginning of the spin.

So two problems resolved and two more have showed yo.

Please any members chime in in what it might be.

It's a 36 year old machine.

Please any advice. But definitely started after the belts where changed.

Thanks so much!

 

[floyde]

Anyone want to speculate what the problem might be?

Just trying to figure if these noises should be addressed.

 

[revvinkevin]

 

 

Hi Floyd,

 

Well I had a very nice repairman that still work on the Maytag A806.
Very good to hear he didn't try to convince you to replace the washer!

He lubricated the machine and it no longer make the thud at the end of the spin.
Also very good to hear!   Question, do you know what he "lubricated"?

He changed the belts, but now there is a metal on metal sound like the tub is hitting the tub surroundings at the during agitation.
Does it sound more like a "scraping" or a "knocking"?  If a "knocking", that can be normal for an older Maytag.   Watch this video, you can hear a "knocking" during agitation and it's coming from the transmission.  Is that similer to the sound you are hearing?

  

It also squeals at the start if the spin cycle on every load.
Most likely because of the new belt and may just need to "wear in" to the pullies.  There are springs on the motor carriage that keep the right tension on the belts.  It is possible the springs may be weak, but if that were the case, agitation would be lethargic and it would be slow to reach full spin speed.

Also I am now getting lint after each load.
First you get no lint, now you have lint and you're still not happy?   (ducks & runs!  LOL)

I hope this helps!
Kevin

 

[floyde]

continued

Kevin:

No, I am happy about the lint. Something I knew wasn't right before. I've used these machines and you always get a little lint depending on what your washing.

I never got lint in the filter until he came out. So I'm very happy about that.

He was a very nice guy and really admired the machine and said it was a shame they don't build washers like that anymore.

He lubricated the brake. The belts were worn so he replaced them and went through all the parts.

So maybe it is the new belts just getting broken in.

I just want this machine to last. We can tell the difference in the laundry being so much cleaner.

Is there anything to do to adjust the belts like adjusting the springs, or do they just need to get broken in.

The agitation isn't sluggish.

The knocking isn't continuous and not really there when on lighter loads or on the gentle speed.

Thanks again!

 

[DigAPony]

He lubricated the brake.

Did he check and grease the motor glides?

Possibly the squeal on the spin could be a worn/dry tub bearing. If you're feeling brave remove the front panel, run it through a cycle and watch for any metal to metal contact in the cabinet and the location of the noise.

Caution!- watch out for the rotating transmission during the spin.

 

[floyde]

What would be the fix for a worn tub bearing

It's just strange that it started right after he fixed the other problem.

Is there another way I can test the tub bearing. As I said it seems more noticeable the sound on heavier loads.

I'm also curious could something have been clogged the reason the lint filter wasn't producing lint and than after his repair the filter started having lint as it should be doing?.

how is the tub bearing fixed?

 

[redcarpetdrew]

Hmmm...

One wonders if the pump belt is out of adjustment and slapping/scraping the belt guard attached to the front panel. It's easy to have happen and to fix. That or the belt guard is bent up a small amount and making contact with the belt or motor/pump pulleys. Taking off the front cover and observing where the noise is coming from would indeed be illuminating.

RCD

 

[combo52]

A806 Washer Noises

I think that Andy is probably on the money about the squealing and metal to metal noises.

The knocking during agitation under hi speed and heavy loads is not much reason for concern. The orignal style Maytag helical drive transmission never knocks, usually what you are hearing is the lower splined transmission shaft knocking a little where it mates with the brake assembly, and on older washers like on Kevin's video if the washer still has a Bakelite agitator the aluminum drive insert gets worn and you can get a knocking noise from this. But the transmission itself is never the cause of this noise unless you have a huge transmission problem, [ very unlikely ].

John L.

 

[maytaglvr]

Older Maytag Features

Hi Everyone
you guy
I am curious to know on the older Maytag washers their is a while knob on the top of the control panel on the right side..... What does this knob do or what is it for? I have notice and always wondered this was? Thanks for any answers to my question. You are all the best on this site!!!!

Steve

 

[DADoES]

 
Cold Rinse temperature selection.

Choice of Normal (or whatever the selection is labeled) (probably Warm rinse on Hot and Warm wash temp, Cold rinse on Cold wash temp).

Or Cold, which is Cold rinse for all wash temps.