Direct Drive Maytag Balance Ring

[gansky1]

I found this washer on Craigslist a while back and took some pics of the reason the owner got rid of it. She said the washer was about 18 months old but it wouldn't balance itself in spin anymore. She called for repair and the guy who came out told her she needed a $250+ repair and it made more sense for her to junk this one and get another. His recommendation for the new washer? Whirlpool top loader. Yeah. She followed his advice and I grabbed this from her for $50. Oh well, stupid is as stupid does.

 

[gansky1]

Here is the balance ring - you can see the clips (four o'clock) that hold it to the stainless basket. One or two weren't tight and the balance ring rode up and rubbed on the plastic tub cover creating this hole and the salt water filling all got away. I would imagine that the repair person thought the entire basket had to be replaced for a balance ring issue, but since this was a stainless steel basket, only a new ring had to be ordered. $24.

I was pretty impressed looking at the quality of the basket construction. Many have said they don't like the seams in the basket but they are smooth as can be on the inside and on the outside of the basket. The seams are rolled and there are no rough edges that will catch lint or strings. I would take this over the wafer-thin porcelain basket, and certainly the plastic basket (shudder) any day.

 

[gansky1]

Working just fine now.

 

[gansky1]

Look at that gleaming stainless steel - in a direct-drive!

 

[gansky1]

Ugh. This is not a Maytag!

 

[gansky1]

...and this doesn't make it a Maytag, nope.

I'll play with this washer for a while and sell it again on C/L. I might keep the stainless tub though - will it fit in my '87 Kitchenaid?

 

[swestoyz]

Put the tub in the KitchenAid! None the wiser when you sell it.

 

[pulsator]

I've always thought that the KA washers would be even better with a stainless tub!!!

 

[westyslantfront]

Hi Greg. I have same Whirltag machine but with white tub.
It is good for a daily driver. Saves wear and tear on vintage machines.

Ross

 

[foraloysius]

Great find Greg!

Are there straight vane agitators that would fit in this machine?

A porcelain basket and a straight vane agitator and it will even look more like a real Maytag. LOL

 

[goatfarmer]

Sell the KitchenAid?

 

[jetcone]

So is that

two stupid people or one lazy repair guy and one stupid seller?

I bet it took all of 10 minutes! Pop the top pop the clips slip on the new ring and clamp her all back together.

We really are in an IQ slump.

 

[gansky1]

Keep the stainless tub for my KitchenAid and sell this "Maytag" with the porcelain transplant.

I also need to spend some time on the wiring of the KitchenAid so I can use a three-speed motor and the larger (better) agitator in it. The pushbutton KA I have was made before the three-speed models so it's only a two-banger with the high-speed agitation.

Then I'll have a stainless steel basket with the extra-large blue agitator with the stainless ring on the softener dispenser top. Would make even Robert swoon ;-)

 

[supremewhirlpol]

Hey gansky1,
Now that you have put the ss tub in the Kitchenaid, Can you show us some pictures of it. Is there any difficulty to the transplant? Like if the tub fits on the Kitchen aid differently because it is older? If it is just a swap, I'll start looking for these busted Whirltag machines just for the ss tub. These Whirltag machines may have a use after all... To make our vintage DD machines look better.

 

[bobbyderegis]

Greg:
Did the real Maytags spit fiery gobs of suds and bounce uncontrollably when you brought that thing in the house?
Bobby in Boston

 

[pierreandreply4]

hello everyone for what i can tell you this is a great Machine and its also my dream Washer.

Pierre

 

[yogitunes]

funny thing...my niece has a whirlpool DD...and during the spin it shakes and then smoothes out continuously, still does this even if the machine is empty...i can't figure it out....maybe i should take the balance ring out just to see what happens for the hell of it...
also...I have a whiry DD with the bigger KA agitator....man talk about rollover...try it without clothes...it's a freakin tidal wave...wonder why these aren't in other kenmore/whirlpools only avail in the kitchen aide...the normal cycle is a slower agitation but does a nice rollover and makes the machine run quiet...

 

[yogitunes]

one last thing.....i also wrapped foam insulation around the outter tub...it's the egg crate stuff you get from walmart for about $15.00...this machine is on the wall behind my bedroom and i can't hear it running until the signal sounds...try it sometime...you maybe suprised!

 

[jdinstl]

Swap the tubs...

...even with the different tub, someone on Craigslist would be getting a good deal on a machine repaired by someone who cared and knew what they were doing. That in itself is worth any price someone would pay. Everyone wins on that deal. You get a tub that helps preserve your KitchenAid, and someone else gets a decent daily driver washer.