Hoover Elite 920

[matt]

Hi All,
Just joined the forum. Great and informative. I am located in Melbourne.
I have a Hoover 920 Elite with some spare parts and technical issues which I hope someone may be able to help.
I am replacing the drum seal following a leak under the machine. I have taken the machine apart and have the new seal ready for installation. The problems I have are as follows:
1. The shaft appears to have an indentation all the way around where the old seal was in contact. Is the new seal likely to work if contact is made at the same location on the shaft?
2. I cannot find the replacement "felt" like gasket which sits below the seal. Is it available anywhere?
3. The inside of the shaft just below the splines appears to have seals which I would like to replace. Are these available?
Thanks in advance.

 

[matt]

I would have thought someone may have had some info on this. Any comments?

 

[hooverzodiac12]

Hi matt

Welcome mate Im josh, from the hills in melbourne. Love these machines and have a fair bit of service info on these washers. Ill leave some info by the end of today for you mate

 

[matt]

Thanks Josh any info would greatly help.

 

[blackstone]

Blackstone Design?

I'm assuming that your machine is based on the Blackstone design. The link that I shared below has a long discussion, with photos, that might be of assistance to you.

As you can probably guess by my username, I know a thing or two about Blackstones. Our family had a TV/appliance business here in Springfield, Mass., USA, and we were dealers. Blackstone went out of the appliance business in the mid-1970s.

I'd be happy to answer questions, or provide photos and/or manuals, if we are talking about the same type of machine. Sorry, no parts; I sold the inventory to combo52.

Always glad to get in contact with Australian friends.

Fred

New here... Into the Aussie Hoover (blackstone type) washing machines

Thought I'd jump into this place... Who knew there are others out there that like washing machines.... Come across this forum while searching for an older Hoover machine (620 to Elite 935 or the 1st commander) nothing like the heavy duty wonders that had the blackstone line (good wash bowl...

www.automaticwasher.org

 

[gizmo]

These were based on the Blackstone design, but the 920 was several major model revisions from the Blackstone original.
basic Chronology-
500 series is pretty much Blackstone design.
600 series almost the same but with pressure-switch-operated brake for neutral drain.
700 series has electric pump and plastic outer tub
800 series - I don't remember the key changes over the 700. Help anyone?
900 series - I think this was the cheapened up version. Flimsy plastic top and lid, short agitator shaft, spin runs in a top bearing (with triple lip seal) instead of a bush ( with carbon seal). (So<span style="text-decoration: underline;"> not</span> the same as Blackstone.)

 

Matt I have never had one of these apart (have done a 720 many years ago) but the basics of your question would be: if the old seal has worn grooves in the shaft, you need a new shaft. I'd expect that will be hard to find but you never know your luck.

the inner agitator shaft seals - are they simple O-rings? If you can get an old one out, you may find them available at any bearing supplier. Just take one of the old ones in (cleaned up) and they will match it. It they don't have it, ask where they recommend you try. I have often finally found some hard to get part by asking that question, and sometimes following a chain of "Who do you reckon might have it?" before hitting the jackpot.

If you can't find a new shaft, you can remove the old one and get it machined. Any decent machine shop will be able to clean up the worn shaft, then either (1) fit a stainless steel sleeve to cover the worn area (I think they are called Speedy sleeves?) or (2) add weld to build up the worn bit, then machine the weld in a lathe to restore a nice even surface.

What part of Melbourne are you? I might be able to suggest somewhere. I live out in the sticks west of Geelong now but used to live in Melbourne.

 

[blackstone]

Do you have pictures of the interior (or service manuals) of the various series of machines? Just curious, for my own information.

I might have a full-length Blackstone shaft, but it looks like you need a short shaft. On occasion, my father did have worn shaft machined, so that a stainless sleeve would fit over the worn part. It's been a long time ago, and not a common repair job, but it can be done.

Fred

 

[matt]

Thanks for the info Gizmo and Fred.
I managed to find the tub seal (Part No.31327402) and replaced it.
The inner agitator seal, I did manage to find a part from BSC bearing suppliers and seams to fit OK.
Yes I did think of having the groove machined but the new seal seemed to fit snuggly against the shaft and took a chance.
After a full wash all seemed OK without any leaks.
My fear is that it may develop a leak again eventually so I will need to have the shaft machined.
Any info on how to remove the shaft from the machine?

 

[blackstone]

Pictures of 920?

Can you post pictures of the interior of your 920? I would assume that the shaft is mounted on top of the transmission. I just want to see how similar the design is, compared to Blackstones.

 

[brisnat81]

Fred is right, you need to remove the inner and outer tubs and the gearbox to get the spin shaft out.

The spin shaft is pressed into the top half of the gearbox.

 

[matt]

Thanks for the info Brisnat81.
So once the inner and outer tubs are removed then the gearbox. How is the spin shaft then removed?

Fred, attached are some photos of the shaft and seals.

 

[blackstone]

The shaft looks to be in relative good condition; I've seen a lot worse. As long it doesn't leak, you will be fine. If you start seeing a puddle, then it's time to fix the shaft.

The seal may be different than the Blackstone version, but the die cast block and indentation in the shaft is exactly the same. I would suggest that you regularly remove the tub and clean the block to keep it from corroding. Also remove the bolts and put some lubrication on the threads, otherwise, over time, that block will become unsalvageable.