Agitator Help Needed for GE - calling COLDSPOT66!

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geextrarinse

Well-known member
Joined
Jun 2, 2004
Messages
533
Location
Hudson Valley, New York
Hi Guys! - So I got the Avocado GE from Ebay and it all works well except the agitator needs to be replaced as its stripped. My guess is they were heavy overloaders and though i have no pics yet, I need advice on how to get the metal gear coupling off of the agitator shaft. The agitator has a rubber washer that fits into the acivator and that is glued (i think) to the metal female piece which fits onto the male shaft. The rubber has come off of the metal female piece and that is stuck (probably rusted) to the agitator shaft. I need advice on how to get this off so i can put the replacement agitator on, which I already have. The transmission works well, and the clutch is not noisy and shifts rather quickly into high speed. The hoses are pliable and the pump works well. There is some rust but I can patch it. I want to save this machine and all I really need to do is get the other agitator in, as thats all it needs. What do you all think?

Thanks in advance!
Matthew
 
Easy way: Go buy a 3 jaw puller. The kind that you can tighten the jaws on the shaft. probably will have to cut the hold down rubber off to get a grip on the bottom of the spline.
Hard way. soak in penetrating oil of some kind and keep working it. If that doesn't work I have hack sawed them off but you have to be careful not to damage the splines on the agitator shaft.

Rodney Dangerfield
 
Matt,

Congrats on the new acquisition! Get some PB Penetrating Oil (works WONDERS) and coat the spline/shaft which will help you pull it off easier.

Once you have the spline off, a new one is easily obtainable. If the agitator itself is damaged on the inside and a new spline still won't work, email me as I have a turquoise standard-capacity 3-vane agitator like the one that is in the machine now...you can have it for the shipping.

Let us know how it works!

--Austin
 
Thanks Guys!~

I'll try the penetrating oil and 3 Jaw puller and we'll see...

The rubber is already off of the spline and i think thats how the motor freed itself when it couldn't move - the transmission sounds good though and I'd hate to remove or replace it.

I'll take some pics and keep you all posted.
 
Though it would be an absolute last resort...

how would I go about hacksawing it off?

I'm just curious as I think it would take forever!

If it did come to that- I might just replace the whole tranny becaues there is alot of rust on the shaft.

I got this machine for a penny and am not sure if its worth all the $ to rebuild. The pics I post can help you all decide with me...

Matt
 
General Electric Heavy Duty 16

I've never seen the "Enzyme Soak" option especially with the selector switch. Why wouldn't you just set the timer to it or set it past for a regular wash - anyone know?

2-26-2006-12-43-22--GEExtraRinse.jpg
 
Lid Hinges

Usually these rust out first but they appear to be fine - still holds the lid up well. I remember on my grandmothers that this is where the rust started first and eventually the lid didn'tstay up on its own.

The clothes retainer is chipping all the enamel off though. I'll need to find a new one.

2-26-2006-13-07-31--GEExtraRinse.jpg
 
Now to get down to business...

Here is the problem - this is what is lefft when the activator is removed - the inside of teh activator is completely stripped. I did test the machine though and it all runs very well. i juzt need to get this off and put on the replacement activator.

2-26-2006-13-20-21--GEExtraRinse.jpg
 
That rust is common on the GE's. Mine looked just like yours when I first noticed it, but it ran fine in regular service for 20 years thereafter.
 
Matt, that's the one thing I hate about metal-tranny GE's...hard water will corrode the hell out of the shaft and outer case!! The Dispensall had the same problematic "rusticles" on the shaft, but I grabbed some sandpaper and they scraped away easily. The transmission case was also corroded and I couldn't do much about it, but thanks to Jerry H. in Ohio, I now have a new plastic tranny for the machine!!

Remove the hub boot (the round plastic thing at the base) and sand under the shaft as well. Wouldn't hurt to POR-15 the whole thing afterwards!!
 
Also, if you can remove the tub bolts (you will need a 12-point socket or box-end; I believe it's a 1/2" or 7/16" but I'll check to be sure) and take out the inner tub, that's another plus. There's probably a considerable amount of rust in the outer tub as well that will need attention.
 
enzyme soak

The "enzyme soak" options took the washer into a soak mode....agitate for a while, then stop and soak for a prolonged period. I don't remember how long...got rid of mine in 1980 (big mistake). After the soak, the machine progressed into the regular wash cycle.
 
The update

Hi Guys!

Well, I'm not worrying too much about this machine as its not my dream machine and its less than perfect but I DID get it running. I ended up sawing off the spline with a metal bit on a jigsaw which worked well. The replacement agitator simply would NOT go on so I pounded it on and it won't be coming off again without a small explosion. The machine works well and is simply a fun toy to have with the old style mini basket until my dispensall should happpen to materialize. I'm keeping the faith dammit!

anyway - thanks for your help everyone - I'll take some pics of it washing. I just washed my velveteen winter duvet cover that was covered in cat hair and it came out great - you should have seen the filter flo pan! I love it!

Matt
 
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