Amana TL needs new bearings-- any tips?

[mattl]

After hearing about how easy it was to pop new bearings in my Duet front loaders my cousin approached me about fixing her Amana ALW480 DAW top loader.  I have no clue as to how to go about it, but I figure I can get some good info here.

 

Can anyone give me an idea how involved it is?  I did a google search for that model but nothing came up.  I'd guess it's about 6-8 years old, has one of the deepest stainless steel tubs I've ever seen.  Sounds terrible, just like a FL with bad bearings from what she tells me.  I offered her one of my Duets but she said she really likes this machine and wants to repair it.

 

Here are all the number she gave me....1581.0665 CE   ALW482DAW 

 

Here is a link to Sears part diagram.

http://www.searspartsdirect.com/partsdirect/part-model/Amana-Parts/Washer-Parts/Model-ALW480DAW/1268/0153200?blt=05

 

[queeny77]

the bearing is not such a horrible job,but usually if the bearing is dry on one of those amanas it usually means there is a leak which includes a very involved tub seal repair.

 

[mattl]

Thanks, I was afraid of that.  I seem to recall it was leaking so I bet the seal is bad and that took out the bearing.

 

Any tips of replacing the seal?

 

[combo52]

Amana TL washer seal and bearing replacement

This like all washer repairs is doable and given your great success fixing the FL washers bearings I am sure that you can do it. This machine is basically the same overall as the SQ TL washers that we are selling now. The big difference in the SQs is a much better designed main seal design and the more stable porcelain covered steel outer tub that holds the water seal.

 

The biggest problem in doing this repair is getting the machine dissembled, often the bolts that hold the wash basket in get really stuck and you end up destroying and replacing several other parts by the time you get it apart and back together. And unfortunately like the FL washers when the bearings go bad it is usually not cost effective to pay someone to make this repair, so 90% of these, Amanas, FL washers in general and SQs TLers will be scrapped when the main seal fails and ruins the bearings. SQs FL washers are one of the few FL machines that are fairly easy to replace the main bearings and seals on, so they are much more repairable.