For the Norge experts

[bobbyderegis]

What seems to be the most common cause of failure in a 20 lb. Norge with the shot gun brake and burpalator agitator? I am asking because I love the Norge built Magic Chef I recently found. It seems that parts are getting so much harder to get. I want to order any gaskets, bearings, or switches that are still available. The brake solenoid is now coming up NLA. Any suggestions? BTW, the agitator came off very easily. Should I apply a small amount of Vaseline on the agitator drive?
Bobby in Boston

 

[coldspot66]

Hey Bobby,

I think the tub seal is the weak link in those machines.

 

[laundromat]

barings

Most of the ones I had aquired had to get new barings. They worked o.k. until the unit went into spin. It sounded like a locomotive!No,really.about 10 ft away from a full fledged freight train going round 80 MPH!Great machines though. Especialy the older porcelain tub models. i liked the Monkey Ward Touch N wash and Touch N Dry models!!!

 

[supremewhirlpol]

The family bought a Norge in 1992 and it lasted until 1999. The bearing went bad in it and it was very loud during the spin cycle. We got rid of it because the transmission locked up. It had a 3/4 HP motor in it and when the transmission locked up the motor still ran.

 

[laundromat]

slogan from 1960's

"Knock on any Norge tap tap tap tap
Knock on any Norge tap tap tap tap
Hear the sound of silent quality,knock on any Norge.tap tap tap tap
Years from now you'll be glad it's a Norge!"

I liked them the best when Borge Warner owned them.They weren't built as cheap looking as they became when Fedders bought them from B.W.Their machines had PAINTED TUBS!!!!AHHHHHHHHHHH!! I was disapointed to see W'pool drop them and not try the design for a lower grade set of washers and dryers.I still prefer them over the Whirlpool "Cruel Action" models.Norge and Frigidaire led the pack in spin RPMs and sand disposal.Their rinses were longer too which assured soap residue removal. Speed Queen's current top loading models also have a longer rinse than W'pool.

 

[bobbyderegis]

John:
Should I grab a tub seal and spin bearing?
Bobby in Boston

 

[goatfarmer]

Spare pump wouldn't hurt.

 

[norgeway]

Norge washer

This is the best cleaning washer you will ever use, its noisy ,thrashes the hell out of clothes,and is not easy on delicate things, but if you have nasty dirty clothes,I have never seen anything better, The only reason im not using one now is, my partner ,who hardly ever complains...hated the Norge,said it was eating his towels.....so we now are using a 806 tag....pitiful compared to the Norge...DO NOT lift the lid while spinning...the brake is prone to tear up, other than that...its great.

 

[bobbyderegis]

Norgeway:
I don't find the Norge to be any more harsh than a Maytag, and it seems less rough than a Filter-Flo. It might shred things if it was overloaded. It is a great washer. I don't find it to be any noisier than a Filter-Flo either, as long as you don't lift the lid during spin.
Bobby in Boston

 

[volsboy1]

Its all true thoese washers are washed your clothes to death.Our set lasted about 25 years the 20LB loader thats the only reason my parents bought it was it was one of the biggest at that time spring 1972.It lasted through 3 kids and my Mom washed diapers for all of us.They would run about 7 times a day everyday,I rember when it would spin and when I opened the lid it would hit the wall.It had a Delicate and Regular and Permenant press cycle which I still have no idea what the differnce was or is..

 

[appnut]

Perm Press was a cycle with normal agitation speed and slow spin speed. Delicate was a cycle with slow agitation and spin speed.

 

[rinso]

IMHO the Norge/Wards 20 pounder with the perforated tub is probably the best-cleaning top load washer ever. It's true that its agitation was ultra-aggresive, but that made it the choice for ranchers, farmers, mechanics, construction workers, or anyone else whose work and/or recreation might result in heavily soiled clothing.

I had an oudoor job when I owned my Wards Signature made by Norge, and it was great for my work clothes.

As for more delicate fabrics, I had the model that allowed you to select a gentler wash with a fast spin, which I used for most everything else.

As far as the loud, startling spin brake, that was specifically designed to let your mom know you were playing with the washer again and tried to get a peek at the spin.

 

[norgeway]

Norge

Those who have used a norge have found out....its the best washing washer ever, on slow it agitates as fast or almost as fast as a maytag on hi,it rinses great too, but it is noisy,everyone ive ever seen makes a high pitched squeal off and on during spin and if you lift the lid when spinning WHAM it sounds like 2 frying pans being slammed together,but it still is my all time favorite washer...nothing else compares....but im wierd....my least favorite is maytag,I guess everyone knows im nuts now!!!

 

[dynaflow]

nuts

but in a good way
could find a better friend glad we got back in touch