Indexing Maytag

[48bencix]

I did a second load in my newly aquired LA 712 and the tub was indexing. The first load that I did when I first got it was pretty small, and the machine was on a level floor. There was no indexing at the time. With this larger load, the floor was not as level, tilted forward. I hope that is the cause. Otherwise I understand the brake could be worn and would need replacement. This machine was new in 1985 so the brake could need replacement.

Any opinions?

Thanks, Martin

 

[qsd-dan]

Yep, time for a new brake package.

 

[combo52]

INDEXING MAYTAGS

The leveling of the machine wouldn't affect the likelihood of the tub indexing. MTs of this age will index with a heavy load and in fact it helps protect the clothes from even more damage from the badly designed agitator this machine has. The brake is not worn out but MT did upgrade the brake assembly to try to meet UL standards and replacing it may reduce the tendency for it to index. The best washing MT that I have ever had is my 1975 HA806 we put an orbital transmission in it and the load sensor agitator with the 50 cycle motor pulley its the only MT that I have ever used on a regular basis. At some point I am going to drill out all the holes in the bottom and sides of the tub and install the side tub mounted self cleaning lint filter that was used on the KM BD machines and modify the motor carriage with a pull back motor then the machine will even do a neutral drain. Doing these things should solve the lint and off balance problems that always plagued these machines. Its easy to see why MT was trying to run away from this machine in favor of the Norge and Amana { S Q ] they knew it was not the best performing machine. It was however one of the best built and most durable washers ever, its just to bad that they didn't improve what they had worked on for almost 50 years. But this is what happens when a company is run by a bunch of anti union Republicans.

 

[cphifer5115]

combo52

when you make all those changes to you maytag and make it do a neutral drain, please make a video of it and post on youtube.

 

[scrubflex]

My 1985 A712 indexed with all loads...some more than the others when I brought it...It needed a new brake package...the indexing stopped completely.

 

[qsd-dan]

MTs of this age will index with a heavy load

Naw, it's just a weak brake spring. They are constantly under pressure 24/7 and get weak from time/use. I have a '68 A806 with the original brake package and it doesn't index, even with higher than factory set water levels.

do a neutral drain

Neutral drain?

Its easy to see why MT was trying to run away from this machine in favor of the Norge and Amana { S Q ] they knew it was not the best performing machine.

You gotta be kidding me?! It's common knowledge that the Norge/Amana machines were the biggest pieces of garbage ever designed!

...helps protect the clothes from even more damage from the badly designed agitator this machine has.

Jesus, not this crap again.......

But this is what happens when a company is run by a bunch of anti union Republicans.

This is the not the political forum. Take your political opinions to the dirty laundry forum.

 

[alr2903]

Dan, if 48bencix, did not replace the brake package, is a little index really a big deal? I really like my little A206, a set of king size sheets and pillow cases does really slow down the action. But for a small load it does not use much water. I usually use the modern Tag with the load sensor for sheets, jeans, and huge baskets of towels. alr2903

 

[48bencix]

I'm torn

This machine is destined for a cabin and won't get that much use. I kind of hesitate to spend the $50.00 for the tool and the $50.00 for the new brake for that usage. On the other hand everything else seems in good shape. Maybe I'll see how it runs during the few times I use it. Naturally I'll be watching with the lid open!

I can always do the repair later, but it will be inconvenient where it will be located, not much manuvering space.

Can the change out be done without that spanner wrench? Maybe with a large clamp or pipe wrench?

 

[combo52]

INDEXING MAYTAGS

You differently don't need the brake tool, all you need is a good strong large vicegripps and a hammer. You just grasp the edge of the old break assembly and give the vise-grip a whack and it should loosen, it will then unscrew by hand. I have truly never seen a bad brake assembly in a MT helical drive washer in over 40 years of working on MTs unless the lining come loose or wore completely away in which case you can hear the washer stop a block away. Then and only have I ever changed one, The steel springs do not become weak. MT did upgrade the breaking strength at some point so the new one may stop faster but even old WP BD washers indexed quite a bit before they went to thier fast brake system around 1970 and I never saw where this slight indexing hurt any thing. Its not like a WCI Franklin product where the tub actually builds up a little speed in one direction and starts to cause very poor turn over.

 

[mixfinder]

Has Not Been My Experience

It isn't possible to estimate how many thousand loads of laundry I have put through a Maytag. Seven of us at home and then 6 during the married years plus the laundry for catering, church dinners and the linens for the school where I taught cooking. I have never had the experiences described by Combo. I don't over load, full loads always have good turnover, spotless washes and uber dependable machines have been the norma from Maytag. Its fun to watch it get the wave action going with items like Wranglers, thrown rugs and horse blankets and water slams back and forth as the items go barreling over. All this from a quiet, unassuming daily driver that puts the EveryReady bunny to shame with it's ability to just keep going.

 

[kenwashesmonday]

No matter how good your Ford runs, there's always someone to tell you to go buy a Chevy.

Ken D.

 

[akronman]

indexing

Ummmm, what's "indexing?"

Thanks
Mark

 

[cfz2882]

indexing

that is when the washtub rotates a bit during agitation,
either back and forth in opposition to the agitator or
ratcheting in one direction by design as with westinghouse
and franklin washers-those two companies have claimed the
indexing gives a scrubbing action against the washtub...

 

[goatfarmer]

Norge and Amana?

The Norge designed Herrin built machines, Magic Chef, Performa, and the likes were decent enough, but the Amana washer was just plain trash. Yes, I've seen enough of them to make that statement!
If your Maytag is going to be used infrequently, I wouldn't worry about the tub indexing a bit during wash, it won't hurt a thing.

 

[lebron]

those two companies have claimed the

Which of course is BS, they were just too cheap for a brake.

 

[bobofhollywood]

adjustment required

I think it can be adjusted. Lean the machine back and take the oil cap off. Then turn the brake all the way tight and observe how much space there is between the flat leading edge of the funny shaped washer which is held by the phillips head screw. There should only be about a quarter inch in space there. If there is more take out the screw and reposition the washer. Replace the screw and oil cap and you should be good to go.

 

[jons1077]

Bad design?

Wow! I think simplicity is the key to the design of the older Maytags. I have two of them now, a TOL and BOL model. Honestly they are both two of the best washers I have and that's comparing with a Kenmore beltdrive, a Westinghouse, a GM 1-18, and a GE Filter Flo. Maytag would definitely be my choice for a daily driver if I wasn't able to rotate my machines around. My tubs don't index unless there is a really heavy load in them such as blue jeans. Even then the indexing is mild at most. Otherwise there is just a slight knocking sound as the tub is being stopped by the brake.

The agitator does an excellent job in both of these machines, particularly the lint filter. There is no better lint filter for catching the tons of pet hair that goes in there. There's always a good amount of turnover as well so no complaints whatsoever. The only possible downfall would be the lack of an extra rinse. That's really it and that's not even that big of a deal.

Whoever doesn't like an old Maytag please give yours to someone who can appreciate the true quality that went into those machines.



Jon

 

[48bencix]

Tried it again

Thanks for all of the help on this matter. I ran the machine again with a small load and about 1/2 full of water. This is for my convenience since it is not connected to water or drain right now. The first wash had no indexing and the tub seemed solidly held. The next two washes indexed about one or two inches and the tub seemed looser. I will look into adjusting the brake. But I also think that it probably will not matter with the low usage the machines will get.

It has been mentioned that machines can lay on their side with no damage. Is there a vent hole in the transmission that can leak oil? I need to move the machine on a two hour road trip and could possibly lay it down for the trip. If not advisable I will stand it up and tie it securely in place.

 

[combo52]

INDEXING MAYTAGS

There is no adjustment on the braking force of the brake assembly. There is no vent hole in a MT transmission to worry about leaking oil out of. Hope this helps.

 

[bobofhollywood]

seeing things diffadently

Remember to always listen to everything a man says who can't even spell half of his words correctly. Opinions and experiences are allowed to vary. To each his own. Also remember nobody is right all the time. We are all only human. Hope THIS helps.

 

[redcarpetdrew]

One of the biggest reasons the Herrin and Searcy washers were heavily produced is money. There was a bit of talk about Govt. energy standards and using materials that cost less energy wise to produce but the main reason was still money. It costs less to make a machine out of lighter metal and lots of plastic.

The Searcy Amanas (SAV's) were a problem child to begin with. The biggest issue being the poorly milled upper transmission shafts that spun out of round and knocked that crappy triple lip tub seal around. This, of course, cased leakage which trashed the tub bearing and also the spin bearing in the milkstool support. I've killed many SAV's for this as the repair entails replacing the transmission, tub seals and bearings and the whole milkstool tub support (this was later changed by making the spin bearing available separately) and STILL there was a possibility that the problem would reoccur (and frequently did). Also seeing quite a few go bye bye due to the milkstool support assy breaking at the spot welds due to light metal didn't help. This is the washer that helped kill Maytag's reputation in laundry but that's what you get when you buy a company and then demand that the cost to manufacture, per unit, be reduced by $30 - $70. The demise of a once proud line was assured.

That being said, I don't have a large problem with the Herrin built Magic Chef/Norge laundry. It did what it was supposed to do. Fill a niche. Provide a machine with decent capacity, a range of features from basic to super fancy, and be available to consumers who may not have a ton of money to burn in their budget. Repair wise, they didn't have a abnormal amount of issues either. The thrust bearing/transmission pulley (which was upgraded to a new kit with only 2 moving parts for more reliability), the pumps (also upgraded and a better design) and the occasional bad transmission. As I always say, it's the devil you know...

 

[syndets2000]

...indexing problems...?

...throw it away, & get one of those new GE washers...

 

[qsd-dan]

There is no adjustment on the braking force of the brake assembly.

X2, the lug stop adjustment (1/4" - 3/8" play) doesn't affect brake performance.

There is no vent hole in a MT transmission to worry about leaking oil out of.

X2, although I believe the pre-helical transmissions had a vent hole. I've stored helical transmissions on their side and even upside down for years at a time with zero leakage. Don't try that with a Maytag wringer though!

 

[combo52]

MAYTAG TRANSMISSIONS

I don't think any MT washers have a vent hole in the transmission, including the AMP machines.

 

[bobofhollywood]

the wringers do

the wringers definitely do but it's not worth arguing with you about.

 

[surgilator_68]

John.....Your 806?

 

[sel8207]

indexing Maytag 806 and other questions about it.

Just purchased a 1975 Maytag 806 washer. Washer indexes (rotates clockwise a couple inches during agitation cycle instead of being still). It still gets the clothes clean though.
2. The agitation was weak so I pulled the motor towards me (towards the front of the machine) and its agitation speed picked up to normal. Followed advice from another thread and added one additional spring. That solved that problem.
3. Before and after the extra spring, I lubricated the glides, but noticed (with the front panel off), that the motor doesn't really glide back and forth, it just seems to shake a little when it goes from agitate to spin. (after lubricating, I moved motor back and forth by hand to make sure it moves; it seems to rock somewhat) Is it supposed to behave like that? What's the throw (distance) that the motor is supposed to be moving back and forth on the glide tray when moving from agitate to spin?
4. Still don't know if I should get a brake package to repair, but is the indexing going to affect strain on the motor? After all, the motor is already turning the agitator, then if you ad the weight of the tub moving clockwise that would seem to be an additional strain on it. Thanks for any assistance. Only paid 20 dollars for it but it looks in pretty good shape. Les

 

[combo52]

Indexing Tub MT

Some tub indexing is normal with this age MT, in the later production Helical Drive MTs they used a stronger brake and this brake will fit all MT HD washers from 1956-2006. But the reason for the stronger brake was not because of indexing but rather to help meet ULs safety standards. The slight indexing of a heavily loaded MT washer will NOT HURT ANYTHING and the indexing actually lessons the load on the washers motor.

Otherwise the looseness or wobble of your motor on its rollers sounds normal to me, I think you are getting about as good a wash from this washer as possible.

John L.

 

[sel8207]

Thanks very much.

I was concerned that this "indexing" was causing the motor to strain somewhat.
As I have never seen these machines run before, I didn't know what it was supposed to look like when it was running and when it shifted from agitate to spin.

The only other problem that I have with it is that, with the knob pushed in, as I rotate it (clockwise) to select the type of wash I want,the light flickers on and off. I thought the light was only supposed to be on when the knob was pulled out. Is this normal for the light to flicker on and off as it is rotated? Thanks much. Les.

 

[thefixer]

While the drive lug does not affect brake performance, if not adjusted properly, it can cause the brake to not be fully engaged during agitation and thus cause indexing.