Destroy stuck agitator

[yoskiman]

Hi guys, I need to break my maytag ensignia's agitator apart as Ive given up trying to remove it the proper way. My question is whats the best way to break it apart Ive tried the hammer and long flat screwdriver without any success this thing is solidly built.

Thanks for any tips.

 

[washdaddy]

Why are you trying to get the agitator out of the machine?
What's the problem that you are having with the machine?

 

[yoskiman]

I dropped a drive socket in between the metal tub and the plastic tub. I attempted to fish it out but just fell further underneath the metal tub. From there I tried a spin cycle to try to get it to fall through the drain hose but all it did was sieze up the machine after hearing it grind at the bottom.

The machine works fine, was doing some maintenance at the time cleaning her up.

 

[yogitunes]

OK....we will assume you got the bolt out of the center of the agitator.....

next.....find a 2x4 or something similar, and lay across the top of the machine, you may want to put a towel under the edges for protection...

then, take two racheting tie downs and criss-cross under the agitator, up over the board, and start racheting back and forth, this should lift the agitator out....

never hurts to put some penetrating fluid down the center where the bolt came out and let set for a while first....

let us know how you make out....

 

[yoskiman]

ok thats an idea I'll pickup some rachet tie downs and give it a shot. I did try using the leaverage strategy with a 2x4 and ethernet cables they snapped after a few attempts. If this doesnt work any tips on breaking the agitator apart?

 

[yogitunes]

well, if you have to......use a screwdriver, and maybe some help of a hammer and and pry out that funnel shape inside the auger, this has all the little balls and mechanism for that part to operate and remove all parts including the auger, then you are left with a base....

hopefully if your careful enough of using the screwdriver/hammer again, and try splitting the center part where the bolt goes, from several sections, as not to damage the threads or the spline....

but I think you will have better luck with penetrating fluid overnight, and give it another shot in the morning, then by tomorrow night, with everything set, it should slide off for you....

you may even want to fill the tub half way with super hot water before attemping this pulling method....anything is worth a shot at this point.....but then I just remembered this is a one belt unit, and you can't drain it without spinning the tub...

are you sure you can't work the tub backwards and release that socket?....then work on tilting the machine to get it to the drain port....

I know your probably banging your head over this, just trying to find the simplest solution for you....

keep us posted....

 

[yoskiman]

I think its a 1/2 socket thats stuck in there. I did try rocking the tub around and pulling on the plastic tub really hard on all the edges trying to release it with no luck, wedged in there pretty good. I thought about trying a coat hanger fishing method but there just isnt any room to work with. I did a little readong on the device you pros use sometimes called an agi-tamer but it sounds like its hard to get a hold of.

 

[yogitunes]

well....lets go with what I mentioned....and worst case is break it off.....

lots of luck!

 

[yoskiman]

I was able to get it off today using the agitamer but sadly the agitamer inner tube did not survive the battle but was well worth the money.

Thanks for the tips and suggestions they were all helpful.