Direct Drive 6 pad Heavy Duty Clutch

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shanenc14

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Aug 10, 2018
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Location
Tennessee, USA
I have a Whirlpool Direct Drive (GSW9800PW2) and I currently have a 3 pad clutch installed. Can the 6 pad clutch be used on my machine, as well as all other DD machines? (Part# 8299642)

I have read in a few places that the 6 pad clutch can only be used on certain DD models.

 
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"HE" = Junk

I wouldn't trade it for anything. The neutral drain pack went out in the transmission, so, yesterday I totaly disassembled the gearcase, cleaned each part with paint thinner and a paint brush, reassembled, and replaced the neutral drain pack and clutch kit, filled with fresh 80w-90 gear oil and sealed it up with RTV blue gasket material. It sounds like a brand new machine! Blew my mind how quiet it is now.

I'm currently working on gradually stashing some parts that commonly need replacement, like the coupler, pump, clutch, dryer maint. kits, etc... may get a used motor for both off ebay.

This new HE crap is just that... crap, I had a new Maytag HE set paid about $1300.00 for it, sold it for nearly half of that after about 1 month of use, and swallowed the loss... Then bought this used DD machine and a Whirlpool dryer from 2003 that's still cranking along. Replaced common parts on both machines, and I intend to run them until it's no longer possible to find the parts to repair them, should they break down!

No HE junk unless I have absolutely no other choice...
 
Transmission oil

I feel like an idiot at the moment... I was just finishing some cleanup from replacing the neutral drain pack yesterday, and realized I grabbed the wrong weight of gear oil.... 85w-140! Is this going to damage the gearcase? Should I drain and refill with 80w-90? **Sigh**
 
6 Pad Clutch On DD Washers

ALL DD washers used 6 pad clutches for the first decade or so of production, some time after they went to the ND transmissions [ 1986 ] WP decided that they did not need a 6 pad clutch since it did not have to slip that long to get the basket up to full speed because the water was usually already drained out when the washer went into spin.

 

Leaving out three pads was a cost cut, they used a stronger spring so it would still give enough grip. The three pad clutch is less durable so Commercial models, Catalyst and resource-saver models that had more slippage or just plain more use still got the 6 pad clutch.

 

If you are rebuilding a machine for yourself and you are trying to make it as good as possible I would use the 6PC.

 

John L.
 
As for the cheapest place to get one, you'll have to shop around online. The part number for the heavy duty 6 pad clutch is WP8299642 or 8299642. Look closely, I have seen many listings when doing searches for that part # that are actually the 3 pad clutch (WP285785 / 285785).

Check out the link for one place to get a genuine OEM 6 pad clutch.

 

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