Help! Maytag Repairman recommends euthanasia!

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Hi, Peter -

I changed the belts today, and although they've never been changed in 27 years, they could pass for brand new. So, it was pretty apparent that no miracle was about to happen by changing them!

Because I've been afraid of causing more damage to the situation, I've only turned it on that once when I said it spins and pumps in the wash cycle. Well, although it did the same thing now when I tried it, this time I also tried turning the setting to the spin cycle to see if would do the opposite and agitate. It didn't, but the tub spun in the opposite direction, which I'd assume means the motor's ok?

So, the way you explained the helical drive, it sounds like you're right in saying the problem is with the drive shaft and/or this spring which you say pushes down on the brake. I'd guess this means replacing the transmission, but is that spring part of it, or is it part of the brake assembly?

Looking at a parts list is a bit overwhelming when you've never seen the gutsy part of a washer. I hope a repair manual can clarify things. I'd like to get as close as I can to an accurate diagnosis so I can decide if it's something I can undertake -- or better yet, convince my Maytag guy to do!

Thanks so much, Peter, for your help and expertise as well as to Kenny and everyone else here who has 'contributed to my cause!'.

PAT
 
Pat!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Can we help, yes! However, adhere to what we have told you! I tried to help you, but you change your story? Are you an attorney? Get the manual, or get a repair man. I/we want you to repair your 77 CA408!!!!!! These machines or the MOST simple to work on. Yes the muscle has to come into play, however, it is not impossible.

I have just finished restoring the two (2) that I bought only 4 days ago, no big deal, they are a breeze.

Love Steve
 
Pat!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Can we help, yes! However, adhere to what we have told you! I tried to help you, but you change your story? Are you an attorney? Get the manual, or get a repair man. I/we want you to repair your 77 CA408!!!!!! These machines or the MOST simple to work on. Yes the muscle has to come into play, however, it is not impossible.

I have just finished restoring the two (2) that I bought only 4 days ago, no big deal, they are a breeze.

Love Steve
 
Accountant, not an attorney!

Steve, I didn't 'change my story' -- it just kept evolving! I'd venture to say that if you and I were discussing fixing a vintage cuckoo, musical alarm clock, or the like that I'd sound as smart as you and you'd sound as dumb as me!!! :)

Peter has enlightened me the most, although I see by his post above to kenmore1978 that I got it wrong about the "drive" thing being part of the transmission.

PAT

P.S. Be careful with the "love" stuff -- my husband might read this thread!
 
spins when it should agitate...

PAT
The reason your machine is spinning instead of agitating IS because the brake assembly is stuck. It is not a separate problem. This machine will never function properly untill you replace the brake package. The spring that was mentioned earlier is a part of the brake assembly. Not part of the transmission. You probably do not have a transmission problem at all.

AUSTIN
Maytag started using the agitator set screw somewhere in the early 80's. With the "12" series I believe. Pat's "08" series used a friction fit agitator.
 
Not the trans

Hi, Ed -

That's what I've been thinking after re-reading Peter's posts.

Well, that puts me back to square one as far as my 'lazy Maytag repairman' is concerned; this is where we started, with him telling me the brake was shot but that I could go on using the machine "without any problems". So much for that one!

I know I should just be patient and wait for the manual for my answers, but does replacing the brake mechanism involve taking the whole thing apart -- tub, etc. -- or do you do it from the bottom?

PAT
 
replacing the brake . . .

Pat
The brake assembly is removed and replaced from underneath the machine. A fairly simple job (with the brake removal tool) but with only 18" in front of the machine it might be a bit more challenging. Possibly your repairman isn't so much lazy as he is afraid of working on a machine in such a tight space. But if you could get to the belts you could probably get to the brake. BTW, the brake assembly is the part underneath the big center pulley that you put the belt on.
ED
 
Pat,

Where in upstate NY are you?

Did you buy the Repair-Master book I linked you to?

Now that you know (roughly) what is wrong, have you tried calling other repairmen to see if someone is more enthusiastic about repairing the machine?
 
Brake assembly

Ed & Peter -

Well, making a repair that doesn't involve lifting out the tub sounds appealing! My Maytag guy never looked at my washer, so he doesn't even know it's in a tight spot; he just thumbs-downed it, giving it his 'pandora's box' diagnosis based on its age. My kitchen is large and I can drag it out of the corner to work on it. I have to first move out a fully-loaded 4-drawer file and then my dryer to get to it, but I'll have plenty of room to work. I didn't want to do that until I was reasonably sure it doesn't have to keep on moving right out the door!

This leads me to what I'm sure everyone hopes is my last question -- do you think the noise that started a year ago was due to this spring breaking down OR the tub bearing (which was diagnosed by repairclinic.com when the noise was the only issue)? To recap, it started during the agitation (no noise on spinning), and would go away by the rinse cycle. It had just about disappeared completely during the past year, but recently it started up again, though not as bad as it had been initially. Then, the hang-up.

I guess since replacing the tub bearing would mean working on the other end of things, it wouldn't make any difference to replace the brake and then see if there still was noise, although moving it back in place and then out again will be a real bummer. The way you explained this helical thing, my money is on the brake/spring being the only problem - wishful thinking aside! If you guys concur, I might even be able to persuade a Maytag guy to do the job - wishful thinking NOT aside!

Ed, I look out my window at PA and the Delaware River. Any chance you're the Maytag guy in Wayne County? :)

Peter, I bought a different book (per the link) since it said 08's. But, I was thinking of buying the one you posted too so I could be twice as knowledgable! :)

PAT

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=4314873502&ssPageName=STRK:MEWA:IT
 
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Pat, I've been watching this post and am keeping my fingers crossed for you! I'm working on a Maytag A208 model, which has a lot of similarities to yours. I suggest you save your machine. I've found that almost all parts are available, and with the right repair master, the procedures are simple and the parts are laid out very logically. Good luck!

Pete
 
Thanks, Pete, for the encouraging words. I got the manual today, and the repair info seems understandable enough. But, maybe it's because it's from Maytag and says it's "for experienced service personnel" that it doesn't have much troubleshooting. My symptoms aren't listed, so I bought a Repair Master manual today as well as another Maytag one that's just for troubleshooting.

Like I said, before I can even think about approaching anyone around here for help, I'm going to have to pretty much be able to show them in writing exactly what's wrong. I know; lots 'o luck!

PAT
 
Pat I have been following the story...

Could you find a machine that works and swap the cabinets. If you have room maybe you could even keep the old machine guts.. Till one of these guys that knows how to fix that son of a gun could work something out with you... At least you would be able to wash, and your things would match. I hope you already have it fixed. But if you have to keep buying stuff your soon going to be at the $ amt of a good used machine. As Tight as Your laundry area sounds maybe you could just change the top and front? Just a thought. alr2903.
 

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