Are these simple repair tasks? (Maytag TL)

[bigbubbacain]

Our Maytag Performa Top Loader (7-8 years old) has a very squeaky belt. The beginning of it's life was spent in the Florida humidity, so I'm thinking it may have dry rot on top of being stretched. Is this an easy replacement one who is mechanically inclined?

Also, the agitator doesn't pull the clothes through as well as it used to. The one way / ratchet mechanism that's suppposed to give it some muscle has been slipping instead of gripping. Is this built permanently into the agitator, or is it a replaceable component by itself?

 

[redcarpetdrew]

One or two belt design?

A model/serial combo would be helpfull so we can tell which platform you have (either Norge/MC or Dep. Care)...

RCD

 

[maytagbear]

Drew-

I thought all Performas were on the Norge/MC platform?

Lawrence/Maytagbear

 

[repair-man]

Some Performas were built on the Dependable Care platform.

A few that I can remember were the LAT2300 & LAT2500.

ED

 

[redcarpetdrew]

Yep!

You got it, Ed. They even had the 'Performa' nameplate on the console. I think the LAT3600AAE was another. I think Maytag was using the Performa nameplate for their middle to lower end (featured) line kinda like Whirlpool used 'Roper'...

RCD

 

[bigbubbacain]

Model number: PAV3360AWW. Does this shed any light on which platform my machine is?

 

[appnut]

Norge/Magic Chef Platform!! The Dependable Care-based Performas had the porcelain tub whereas the rest of the performas back then were plastic tubs.

 

[redcarpetdrew]

Now for some info...

The belt (p/n 21352320) just rolls onto the pulleys (tip the washer back and look under - BINGO!) without tools. Piece of cake. The auger and post assy (p/n 21001878) on the agitator does come separate from the base. Just remove the fabric softener dispenser and look inside. Remove the bolt that keeps it all attached to the transmission shaft and the two agitator pieces separate. The corkscrew assy is not NORMALLY servicable (I've learned NOT to dare anyone around here...) so just get the new one. It's been revised, anyway...

RCD

 

[bigbubbacain]

Thanks Drew! Hopefully, these aren't expensive parts.

 

[maytagmark]

very usefull info Drew

I have a Maytag Performa thats about 6years old that spins fine but won't agitate,it sounds like its trying to,I gave up on it thinking it needed a new tranny,I'll pull the agitator and check the shaft,this might be all it needs. Thanks, Mark

 

[redcarpetdrew]

That's easy to check...

Mark, When you lean the washer back you can take off the belt and turn the drive pulley by hand. One direction will lift the tub off the brake and it will spin. The other direction should have the trans agitate. If it binds up and won't agitate, your trans is locked up. Also check the pump. This design is famous for the pump bearing going out (screeching, grinding noise and/or locked up) and they have a revised pump assy for the problem which affects ALL medium to newer model Magic Chef/Norge/Atlantis platform washers...

RCD

 

[maytagmark]

Thanks Drew

I turned the pulley both ways and it was smooth with no binding,so that might be the problem,I priced the auger assy. at 62.25 at sears,the machine is stored in a friends garage (mine is overflowing)I finally made it over there to replace the defrost element in her fridge and decided to check out the Maytag while I was there,She doesn't mind having a couple of washers stored there because when hers goes out there is always a spare on hand,I know I will probably never need this machine since I found my early Dependable Care Maytag that on ly gets used a couple of times a week,hopefully it will out last me.