Giving up on my Maytag A606

[echolane]

My Maytag A606 was purchased new in June 1973 and has given great service, and still looks virtually brand new. BUT, the agitator doesn't seem to be working very hard when there is a full load with the result that the clothes will still retain bits of debris, etc, and don't seem really clean sometimes. So we replaced the belts, lubed the motor's track, etc. Replacing the belts gave some help in getting the clothes drier, but now the machine makes a HUGE amount of noise and moves all over during the spin cycle.

I know this is a great old machine and I hate to give up on it, but I think something major is wrong and I am not keen to invest in a service call ( very expensive in my area ), only to have the repair person tell me its a major repair and/or he can't get the parts. Any ideas before I turn to a Speed Queen top loader?

 

[brianl]

Don't give up yet!

While someone with more knowledge will chime in soon, it sounds like you were definitely on the right track. There is not too much that can go wrong on these machines. Perhaps if it is possible to do a YouTube video of the problem, it may make it easier to diagnose for other members.

Good Luck!!

 

[redcarpetdrew]

May I ask what area of California you are at?

 

RCD

 

[echolane]

I live on what's called the Mid-Peninsula of the SF Bay Area.

 

[echolane]

As to making a video, unfortunately, I just washed almost everything in the laundry bin yesterday because rain is forecast, and I like to hang my wash out to dry.

 

[washerlover]

Don't give up the ghost! Maytags are tanks, and I'm sure someone here will be able to help!

 

[echolane]

Motor Mount Slide Kit - we're having trouble...

So we just received a motor mount slide kit, with springs and silicon lubricant. My husband has pulled off the motor and the bottom plate and is in the process of trying to reinstall it with the new slides and springs. But he feels he's got the slide assembly put together wrong. IOW, he thinks the springs are pulling it in the wrong direction. And then the plate has to be put back in the right orientation so that the motor will slide properly. He is not "seeing" how this is done. Anyone have any tips so we can complete this job?

 

[swestoyz]

The mount should be installed such that the spring loops for the base would be facing forwards, or towards you. If the spring loops for the top plate are facing you, it has been installed backwards.

Reverse the motor on the top plate, reassemble, and make sure the bottom spring loops face you.

Hope this helps!

Ben

 

[macboy91si]

Ben

OT, but fab profile pic!

 

 

 

[akronman]

motor springs

I searched this forum for "maytag motor slides" and here are 2 pics. Remember, the springs are to pull the motor out towards the front left corner of the cabinet, putting tension on the belt. When the springs are fully extended, the motor moves towards the center tub shaft. When compressed and at rest, they pull the motor away from center of machine, out towards corner putting tension on the belt.

 

Many thanks to someone else's post for this pic, my Maytag isn't anywhere near as prisitine, but runs perfectly.

 

[akronman]

more

This view is roughly from the left side of the machine, near the front.  Note that the springs are pulling the motor to the right in this pic, away from the direction of the unseen center tub pulley.

 

[akronman]

on the other hand

you also mentioned trouble with unbalanced spinning. While your husband is having fun getting those pesky springs in right, compare your washer's innards to the pics above. Are those huge vertical springs all good? Check both ends of all 3 of the braces running from the tub to the aluminum ring in the center, everything solid? Once you've finished the motor mount springs, do a load or two and watch what occurs, ask for more advice here. Everything you've described so far, from motor mounts to unbalance, are usually easy repairs on a  Maytag that will outlive you. The new motor mount wheels and springs and lube and belts will solve the slow action during agitation and spin, but the unbalance issue may be more related to that center aluminim damper and lubing there, and take a good look at the three huge springs and the three braces from center up to tub bolts.. Hopefully you only have one problem, most Maytags are well worth these repairs, but finish one chore and check, we can throw some advice on that unbalance problem too, once the first task is done.

 

 

[echolane]

Wow, great images and very helpful!

Here's where we are having a bit of a mental road block: When my husband removed the slide assembly from the motor, it naturally remained as he removed it, with the top plate centered on the bottom plate. Yet when he reassembles this slide assembly with the new glides and he reattaches the springs, then the top plate insists on shifting off the bottom plate, and this makes it extremely difficult to mount it back on the motor. So he thinks something must be wrong. Or, perhaps the springs have to be attached last, after the slide plate is mounted back on the motor?

 

[akronman]

hmmm

there are many better Maytag experts than me who can chime in, I'm trying to remember my rebuild from 2 years ago, it seems to me I never undid the motor from the plate, and it was a very mean little job with broken and chipped screwdrivers to get that spring hooked end into the various little holes while the entire assembly was in place on the machine. When finished it worked perfectly well, but a tight-fitting little nasty precise job while working on the floor.

 

Someone......?????

 

DO NOT GIVE UP. Your Maytag will get all better with your work, and will live a long life. If these are nearly the only repairs needed at it's age, you know it was well built.

 

[swestoyz]

If he took the motor off the top plate I would suggest reattaching the top plate to the motor before putting the bottom plate on.

I usually then install the motor and glide in the washer without the springs installed, then put the springs on once the motor and glide have been reinstalled on the washer base. This makes it easier so you are not fighting the spring force when trying to line up the 4 threaded studs through the washer base.

I use a needle nose pliers to hold on to one end of the spring and fish the spring up to the top loops, then fasten it to the lower loops on the lower plate.

Ben

 

[combo52]

Maytag A606 washer

I would look for a good repair person that is enthusiastic about working on this washer and pay them to look at it and give an estimate as to what it needs. I wish you were in our service area as we would be glad to do this for you. And while it is technically possible to keep this washer running another 20 years it will likely cost as much or more in time and effort as buying a new SQ TL washer now. This is also a good time to get a new SQ TL washer, a new SQ will not only perform much better than your MT ever did when new but will use a little less energy without going to far. When you consider that a new SQ TL 2 speed  washer will only cost about $650.00  that is far less than the A606 cost in today's dollars when new.

 

You have gotten far more use out of your MT washer than MT intended and no washer or automobile will go on forever without major repairs and expenditures, I often advise my customers that have gotten GREAT service out of an appliance to quite while they are ahead.

 

[echolane]

Good News and BAD news

The good news is that we finally got the springs attached (what a job) and everything tucked away. Then loaded some wash. Bathrobe, levi jacket, light jacket, bath towel, a couple of socks, about half a load. Agitator seemed to work a lot stronger (subjective impression).

But the bad news is that when the spin/rinse cycle started, there is still a VERY loud knocking noise. We opened the lid and my husband noticed that the tub wasn't centered. And it doesn't want to center itself. IOW, it can be centered manually with a little effort, but when pushed back or forward or to the side, it stays where it is pushed and doesn't return to center. When it is moved there is a hint of the knocking noise though at considerably lower decibels.

All the big springs seem "normal" and everything is attached as it should be.

BTW, we took a level and the machine is setting level.

 

[bendixmark]

A606 Maytag

You say the machine is moving around I would grab the agitator and try pulling the tub assembly side to side.It should move freely if not the damper pads on the base are worn or need lubricating which is common in a machine of this age.If it doesnt seem to agitate well try turning the transmission pulley counterclockwise.It should turn freely without excessive drag if not the transmission oil is getting thick and gummy with age or the upper bearing is binding.As far as replacing that machine I dont think any machine of today performs and washes as well as that does even though it usea alot of water by todays standards.I like how it blasts the clothes for a minute straight during the first spin.I have customers who beg me for those machines.I noticed in the picture the machine just fits in the space next to the dryer keep in mind that machine is 25 and a half wide and the new one will be 27 inches.Good luck.

 

[rp2813]

Check out this thread and the simple resolution.  I don't know if your machine could have the same problem, but worth a look.

http://www.automaticwasher.org/cgi-bin/TD/TD-VIEWTHREAD.cgi?39118

 

[70series]

A neighbor of mine had that exact model, and he used to let me wash the drop cloths and towels he used when working in his garage. That washer purred like a kitten.

Good luck with the repair job,

James

 

[combo52]

New SQ Top Load Washer

Will clean and spin and last far longer than a 1970s MT and it is just 251/2" wide. It also has a better warranty than the MT ever thought about when it was built.

 

Just like the new cars of, today compared to cars of the 1970s there is little comparison. Materials and quality control today are so good that manufactures couldn't even imagine that there would be so LITTLE service required on today's appliances. Myself and a few of my other appliance repair buddies have become millionaires fixing 1970s and 80s appliances as people would fix them again and again. This will not be nearly as easy today as newer appliances just do not have as many real problems now, a big percentage of the things I fix everyday are dumb problems and installion related issues but far fewer real failures of the machine itself.

 

[redcarpetdrew]

Ok. We know the SQ is a great machine and all and it beats the Maytag seven ways to Sunday but...

It sounds like the young lady is at least trying to make an effort to try to fix what she has first since it was a solid performer before making the leap to new. I DO agree that the new SQ is pretty cool and has a warranty that shames anything else on the market. If I had to buy new, I'd go Speed Queen. But it doesn't hurt to try fixing the Maytag if possible and reasonable, right? :^)

RCD

 

[combo52]

Fixing The MT A606

Hi Andy I hope I will get to finely meet you at Kevin's in April.

 

My first advice is to get an accurate appraisal on the MT and if the transmission is not the problem and the damper is not shot it may have a few more years in it. I fix MTs this old every month I am all for getting the longest reasonable life out of any decent appliance.

 

One other good option if the owner really likes the look of her current MT washer is to buy a good used 1980s - mid 1990s working MT DC machine and do a cabinet transplant using the newer drive line. The number 1 reason that we are trashing 1970s MT washers is top transmission bearing [ agitator shaft ] is binding in the top housing 2nd is probably snubbers that have lost there pads and are in a metal to metal condition for a long time. And while it is certainly possible to repair either one of these conditions they are not simple or cheap repairs.

 

[bajaespuma]

If you are the least bit handy with tools,

What you might want to do, if you decide to replace it, is take the machine apart and sell the pieces on ebay. I know lots of people who might pay well for all  of those valuable parts. The buttons alone seem to fetch a lot on line. Recycling is less of a sacrilege than the crusher.

 

[redcarpetdrew]

That's more like it...

It sure will be nice to meet you as well but how will you survive being surrounded by all those classic Maytags at Kevin's? The line from Indiana Jones comes to mind. "My boy, we are pilgrims in a unholy land..." LOL!

You have come up with some very acceptable options for this 606. Doing a cabinetectomy is something that a homeowner with decent skills can do without getting over their heads and save the washer's classic looks.

I'll have to touch bases with you via phone sometime as I have a Agitub needing a motor...

RCD

 

[echolane]

Back to the Speed Queen

Well, with a good deal of reluctance, we are giving up on our old Maytag. Time to let go of the old and turn to something newer. We went to check out washing machines this morning. No question, I want a Speed Queen Top Loader. Problem is that Speed Queen is backordered to end of May!!! Called the factory and talked to their General Sales Mgr and he told me it is because demand is up 4 x over last year and they just can't keep up. For example, they have one critical machine running a full three shifts. Luckily, he told me there will be a small delivery to the wholesaler in this area in about two/three weeks and each store will get about 4 machines. I'm signed up for one of them.

THANKS FOR ALL THE GREAT HELP!

 

[rp2813]

Speed Queen

If you're persistent, you may find a SQ top loader readily available through a small independent dealership.  A member here was recently facing the same issue but after spending a little time calling around, he found a SQ at an appliance store not far from him.

 

If there's an issue with fill level once you get your SQ, there are threads on how to increase it, and people here who can help guide you.

 

[timborow]

Speed Queen

We purchased a new Speed Queen set about a month ago. It is the best washer/dryer set I have ever used. My wife loves it. She has told several people how well it works and what a good job it does. It is a very well made solid machine. Very old school, but modern too. I haven't raised the water level on mine like some have because I think it works great if it's not over loaded. We bought the basic 2 speed model and it handles all of our needs. I think you will be very happy with your purchase. I'm glad to hear that Alliance Laundry Company is doing so well. Very refreshing in this economy.

Tim

 

[70series]

Are the new SQs designed to agitate with the traditional long slow stroke just as their grand predecessors did? Kudos to them if they are.

James

 

[macboy91si]

Slooooooow

Yes and I think this is a big reason they are such a hit with our crowd.

-Tim