Help! Agitator stuck on wringer washer...
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e2l-arry
Well-known member
Try the boiling hot water routine
I've read that sometimes that works. Get the water as hot as you can then pull from the top. I'm thinking it can't be too stuck if just a few days ago it as floating away. Mine had been stuck/rusted on for years and you saw what I had to do. So try hot hot water first. Maybe the heat will expand it enough to come off. One you get it off, coat the shaft and the spline of the agitator with vaseline. The owners manual says to do that monthly. I never want to got through the stuck agitator routine again!
Larry
I've read that sometimes that works. Get the water as hot as you can then pull from the top. I'm thinking it can't be too stuck if just a few days ago it as floating away. Mine had been stuck/rusted on for years and you saw what I had to do. So try hot hot water first. Maybe the heat will expand it enough to come off. One you get it off, coat the shaft and the spline of the agitator with vaseline. The owners manual says to do that monthly. I never want to got through the stuck agitator routine again!
Larry
Hi Larry
Agitator was just floating on this load I did, then I pushed it down with the clothes and water in it and continued on washing as always, then when I was all done, going through the routine of breaking down and cleaning everything and setting to dry, bam, dang thing is stuck!!
My owners manual does say to do the vaseline thing and I did it once already and a month has not passed yet, but maybe because the agitator floats up in the water the vaseline might of washed away. I just ordered the stop ring from Phil on Ebay too! Don't need that at the moment...lol
I have it sitting with hot water in it now and have tapped on it with a hammer and pulled and nothing yet. Do you know the "Turbin Of Terror" (that sounds funny) I have been reading here and there? Do you know what that is exactly?
Thanks, Cindy
Agitator was just floating on this load I did, then I pushed it down with the clothes and water in it and continued on washing as always, then when I was all done, going through the routine of breaking down and cleaning everything and setting to dry, bam, dang thing is stuck!!
My owners manual does say to do the vaseline thing and I did it once already and a month has not passed yet, but maybe because the agitator floats up in the water the vaseline might of washed away. I just ordered the stop ring from Phil on Ebay too! Don't need that at the moment...lol
I have it sitting with hot water in it now and have tapped on it with a hammer and pulled and nothing yet. Do you know the "Turbin Of Terror" (that sounds funny) I have been reading here and there? Do you know what that is exactly?
Thanks, Cindy
One of the Turbin Of Terror threads is here...
e2l-arry
Well-known member
That's unusual
for it to go from floating to stuck so suddenly. Usually they stick from not being removed after use for months or years. I'm wondering if when you pushed it back on while washing some small piece of clothing didn't get wedged between the shaft and agitator? Then you'll just need brute force. You can't pry it off from side to side. It has to come out evenly. A straight up pulling on the upper 1/2 of the agitator. There is such a tool as an agitator puller. This was such a common problem that Maytag made a tool for it. I think Phil sells them but they aren't cheap. I wonder if he'd rent you one?
I'm afraid I'm not familiar with the turban of terror.
for it to go from floating to stuck so suddenly. Usually they stick from not being removed after use for months or years. I'm wondering if when you pushed it back on while washing some small piece of clothing didn't get wedged between the shaft and agitator? Then you'll just need brute force. You can't pry it off from side to side. It has to come out evenly. A straight up pulling on the upper 1/2 of the agitator. There is such a tool as an agitator puller. This was such a common problem that Maytag made a tool for it. I think Phil sells them but they aren't cheap. I wonder if he'd rent you one?
I'm afraid I'm not familiar with the turban of terror.
At Unimatic
I saw that post, but did not see the description of what was done exactly. Is it just hot towels wrapped around the agitator, and for how long? I got another idea gonna try tomorrow, and if that does not work will try the towel thing if I am thinking it correctly.
Thanks for your post!
I saw that post, but did not see the description of what was done exactly. Is it just hot towels wrapped around the agitator, and for how long? I got another idea gonna try tomorrow, and if that does not work will try the towel thing if I am thinking it correctly.
Thanks for your post!
Cindy
Just a idea, but try filling with hot water, let sit for 15- 20min let out enough of the hot water so you can get a good grip on it, plug in, let agitate, and try pulling straight up while its agitating!
Maybe the movement, and pulling at the same time will get her loose. Something like a button or something had to have gotten wedged in there or something.
HTH
Stan
Just a idea, but try filling with hot water, let sit for 15- 20min let out enough of the hot water so you can get a good grip on it, plug in, let agitate, and try pulling straight up while its agitating!
Maybe the movement, and pulling at the same time will get her loose. Something like a button or something had to have gotten wedged in there or something.
HTH
Stan
To Stan and everyone else
Hi Stan,
Thanks so much for your suggestions, I did try that, but nope, crazy glued on!
BUT I AM EXTREMELY EXCITED TO ANNOUNCE THAT THE DEED IS DONE, GOT IT OFF!! HERE IS HOW....
Some credit to this web site I found which helped my noggin crank a bit more. (http://www.acmehowto.com/howto/appliance/washer/check/agitator.php), last paragraph is what triggered the thoughts.
I used a wooden broom handle and my dogs leash, (doggy thought, whoa there whatcha doin with that). Used it like a tourniquet almost, (you know the pencil and the string tightener?) put the strap under the agitator like I was going to do with my truck straps and tangled it somehow onto the broom handle and then cranked the agitator, for a minute thought the agitator plastic was going to break, but just kept cranking and whala, their it popped right off!! Victory Dance!! Such relief!!
So here is a keeper to all!! If ever in need, try it and if it works for you pass it on, yipee and no cracking or scratching porcelain!!
Happy Days Are Here Again!! See all 3 pics below, always love the pics.
Cindy
Hi Stan,
Thanks so much for your suggestions, I did try that, but nope, crazy glued on!
BUT I AM EXTREMELY EXCITED TO ANNOUNCE THAT THE DEED IS DONE, GOT IT OFF!! HERE IS HOW....
Some credit to this web site I found which helped my noggin crank a bit more. (http://www.acmehowto.com/howto/appliance/washer/check/agitator.php), last paragraph is what triggered the thoughts.
I used a wooden broom handle and my dogs leash, (doggy thought, whoa there whatcha doin with that). Used it like a tourniquet almost, (you know the pencil and the string tightener?) put the strap under the agitator like I was going to do with my truck straps and tangled it somehow onto the broom handle and then cranked the agitator, for a minute thought the agitator plastic was going to break, but just kept cranking and whala, their it popped right off!! Victory Dance!! Such relief!!
So here is a keeper to all!! If ever in need, try it and if it works for you pass it on, yipee and no cracking or scratching porcelain!!
Happy Days Are Here Again!! See all 3 pics below, always love the pics.
Cindy
Yay
Cindy!!
Your one of us now! LOL
Ill bet your post helps someone in the future.
What on earth caused that? You just lubed it?
Wonder if there is a rough spot somewhere on the shaft, or on the spines inside the agitator?
Take a close look, and feel, if there is you may have to smooth out with sandpaper/steel ect so it won't happen again. Then again of it dose, your the go to girl!
Good for you!
Stan
Cindy!!
Your one of us now! LOL
Ill bet your post helps someone in the future.
What on earth caused that? You just lubed it?
Wonder if there is a rough spot somewhere on the shaft, or on the spines inside the agitator?
Take a close look, and feel, if there is you may have to smooth out with sandpaper/steel ect so it won't happen again. Then again of it dose, your the go to girl!
Good for you!
Stan
whirlcool
Well-known member
Less messy than the popular "Turban of Terror!" method. Congratulations!
Another Stuck Saga....
That was short lived!! Did a load of laundry today and when finished, stuck again! But had my handy dandy "stick and strap" tool to save the day!
I lubed with Vaseline before load today, and the agitator from (h-e double toothpicks) stuck just has hard as it was yesterday. So was wondering if it has something to do the Stop Ring now smoothed over and not keeping the agitator down and maybe water getting up the shaft causes a suction? But Stan, you say your stop ring does not work and you have had no problem like this? Will check out what you suggested about burrs and stuff. So maybe that thought is not a good theory. Or maybe STOP RING HAS BECOME POSSESSED AND WILL KEEP AGITATOR ON FOREVER!!!! Over my dead body......lol!!
What a mystery, new Stop Ring on its way, hope it solves this mystery. Also note to self and whoever else needs this note, do not clean agitator hole with paper towel and screw driver. Rammed paper towel up shaft to neverland....lol But with some banging and fishing got it out, might want to use a long rag next time so can pull it out.
One load done today, that is enough with all this drama...lol
Cindy
That was short lived!! Did a load of laundry today and when finished, stuck again! But had my handy dandy "stick and strap" tool to save the day!
I lubed with Vaseline before load today, and the agitator from (h-e double toothpicks) stuck just has hard as it was yesterday. So was wondering if it has something to do the Stop Ring now smoothed over and not keeping the agitator down and maybe water getting up the shaft causes a suction? But Stan, you say your stop ring does not work and you have had no problem like this? Will check out what you suggested about burrs and stuff. So maybe that thought is not a good theory. Or maybe STOP RING HAS BECOME POSSESSED AND WILL KEEP AGITATOR ON FOREVER!!!! Over my dead body......lol!!
What a mystery, new Stop Ring on its way, hope it solves this mystery. Also note to self and whoever else needs this note, do not clean agitator hole with paper towel and screw driver. Rammed paper towel up shaft to neverland....lol But with some banging and fishing got it out, might want to use a long rag next time so can pull it out.
One load done today, that is enough with all this drama...lol
Cindy
Mystery
You'll eventually figure out what it's deal is, and it will be one We'l all probably learn from.
The only thing I can think of, is that maybe there's a burr, or rough spot. You'll find it, if there is.
If there is, it probably inside the agitator.
( wouldn't be on the post, that would make it too easy ) LOL
I have never had this problem (hope I didn't just jinx myself) and to be honest, I don't lube the post very often!
Mine will float off, but only if its full of water, and no clothes.
So most of the time, it happens as I'm wringing clothes threw, and there is only of few items left, or completely empty.
I've always considered it a minor annoyance, especially after seeing what Larry went threw to get his off! After that I decided
" who cares, let it float "
You could try using a Bobbie pin with out the rubber thing on the end, a little WD40 and use it to clean the spins on the inside of the agitator. Maybe there a chunk of rust or something in there? Try getting into the sunlight where you can see down in there.
Let us know!
Stan
You'll eventually figure out what it's deal is, and it will be one We'l all probably learn from.
The only thing I can think of, is that maybe there's a burr, or rough spot. You'll find it, if there is.
If there is, it probably inside the agitator.
( wouldn't be on the post, that would make it too easy ) LOL
I have never had this problem (hope I didn't just jinx myself) and to be honest, I don't lube the post very often!
Mine will float off, but only if its full of water, and no clothes.
So most of the time, it happens as I'm wringing clothes threw, and there is only of few items left, or completely empty.
I've always considered it a minor annoyance, especially after seeing what Larry went threw to get his off! After that I decided
" who cares, let it float "
You could try using a Bobbie pin with out the rubber thing on the end, a little WD40 and use it to clean the spins on the inside of the agitator. Maybe there a chunk of rust or something in there? Try getting into the sunlight where you can see down in there.
Let us know!
Stan
Hi to all...
Received stop ring from Ebay, replaced it and great, no more floating agitator and also agitator comes off, not getting stuck anymore. Guess I replaced stop ring just in time!! Very inexpensive repair!! Thanks for everyones suggestions and support....hehe Washer seems to be all fixed up and doing well.
Received stop ring from Ebay, replaced it and great, no more floating agitator and also agitator comes off, not getting stuck anymore. Guess I replaced stop ring just in time!! Very inexpensive repair!! Thanks for everyones suggestions and support....hehe Washer seems to be all fixed up and doing well.
Glad to hear it all worked out for you
Did you ever find out why it was getting stuck?
Did you ever find out why it was getting stuck?
e2l-arry
Well-known member
FLOATING AGITATORS
Stan,
you should replace the stop ring. Very simple and inexpensive. Nothing like what I went through to get that spline off. It's really just a small, thick rubber band that fits onto a groove on the agitator shaft. Cut the old hardened one off with a knife or box cutter. Really simple.
Another cause can be the replacement agitators. All the original Maytag agitators have a small hole drilled through them designed to let some air escape. Look at pictures of sets on Ebay. If it's an original part, it will have a small hole to let air escape. The after market agitators don't have that hole and the air pressure from underneath pulls the agitator off. Mine was doing that even after a replaced the stop ring. So I drilled a small hole in the approximate location of the originals and that cured it.
You have to be careful of where you drill though. On the aqua colored agitators there's like a cup on the bottom side to keep water from around the shaft, lessening the exposure to water and the chance of water getting into the transmission/power unit. That was a s design change from the black agitators to the turquoise ones. Actually, an improvement. You want to keep that air space intact so it does what it was designed to do. The hole should be outside of the cup area but as close to it as you can get it. I did that and PROBLEM SOLVED!!!
Stan,
you should replace the stop ring. Very simple and inexpensive. Nothing like what I went through to get that spline off. It's really just a small, thick rubber band that fits onto a groove on the agitator shaft. Cut the old hardened one off with a knife or box cutter. Really simple.
Another cause can be the replacement agitators. All the original Maytag agitators have a small hole drilled through them designed to let some air escape. Look at pictures of sets on Ebay. If it's an original part, it will have a small hole to let air escape. The after market agitators don't have that hole and the air pressure from underneath pulls the agitator off. Mine was doing that even after a replaced the stop ring. So I drilled a small hole in the approximate location of the originals and that cured it.
You have to be careful of where you drill though. On the aqua colored agitators there's like a cup on the bottom side to keep water from around the shaft, lessening the exposure to water and the chance of water getting into the transmission/power unit. That was a s design change from the black agitators to the turquoise ones. Actually, an improvement. You want to keep that air space intact so it does what it was designed to do. The hole should be outside of the cup area but as close to it as you can get it. I did that and PROBLEM SOLVED!!!
Hi Larry
How is the convertible coming along?
"Floating agitator"
I'll take your word on this, as I think you are one of the Maytag Wringer experts here, especially after what you went through with "Bessie Mae" So I'll order a stop ring LOL.
I just remember us all hanging on, watching you fight to get yours off, and I guess it traumatized me !
Why I've just let mine float!
Still think you had the best thread here on restoring one of these old girls from the ground up ( frame off)
Anyone repairing one, needs to look at that whole thread! No way to not come away from it, without a important learning lesson.
P.S my agitator dose have the manufacture vent hole.
How is the convertible coming along?
"Floating agitator"
I'll take your word on this, as I think you are one of the Maytag Wringer experts here, especially after what you went through with "Bessie Mae" So I'll order a stop ring LOL.
I just remember us all hanging on, watching you fight to get yours off, and I guess it traumatized me !
Why I've just let mine float!
Still think you had the best thread here on restoring one of these old girls from the ground up ( frame off)
Anyone repairing one, needs to look at that whole thread! No way to not come away from it, without a important learning lesson.
P.S my agitator dose have the manufacture vent hole.
