Kenmore Washer Information

[joefuss1984]

Hello!

I have started working on a Kenmore BD. I acquired the machine two years ago. A home here in Little Rock had sold and was being made into a rent house. This was the original washing machine to that home, as best as I can tell, as the house was made the same year as the washing machine. This is my first belt drive endeavor. I am curious to know what information or experiences anyone may have about this model (110.72431110)?

The machine does leak water around the baseplate. I am working on inner tub removal, however, the agitator is stuck. :-/

Anyway, thanks for any information or input!

 

[washdaddy]

What methods have you used to try and remove the agitator?

If you post your attempts someone here will probably chime in and give you a few suggestions on how to get it out.

Good luck locating your leak. Hopefully it won't be anything major for you to fix.

 

[rp2813]

That's a very nice mid-'70s machine with as many cycle options as you'll ever need.

 

Be sure to check all hoses before tearing it apart to investigate the leak.  If it still has the original opaque plastic cone-shaped filter (at bottom right -- I think -- when facing the rear of the machine) those are notorious for cracking and leaking.

 

[joefuss1984]

Replies

@washdaddy - The only method so far has just been trying to pull straight up. I don't have a an agitamer. But I may have to invest in one.

@rp2813 - I don't think it is the cone shape filter you refer to. I have attached a pic of the filter. The leak drips off of the base plate around the service panel area in the back. I really think the water is coming from under the tub. I could be wrong.

 

[brucelucenta]

I am sure you are correct. It probably needs a new rubber seal in the center of the outer tub. That really isn't too terrible of a job to do. You would need to either get or borrow an agitamer or even a bicycle tire inter tube might work to slide under the agitator and air it up. You would also need the tub wrench to unscrew the inner tub so you can remove it, since you already have the top piece removed. After that you would need to unscrew the 4 bolts holding the outer tub down. Carefully remove the plastic piece that the air tub for the water cut off by a quarter turn and unlocking it. Then you can pull the outer tub up and out. The rest should be fairly easy. I always used some silicon seal or E 6000 around where the new seal slides down the shaft and where the bolts hold the outer tub when replacing it for added seal protection when putting it back together.

 

[delaneymeegan]

 

Try doing a search, in this forum, under agitator removal kenmore.  There are different tricks one can use to save the agitator including boiling water, a careful tapping with a rubber mallet, and others.

 

Good luck.  That's a nice mid 70s machine.  looks like it's in good condition.

 

[stan]

My vote

Is for a new tub seal too. You'll need a spanner wrench. The one I have came in a two pack one for Kenmore and Maytag. It's a good opportunity to get the inner and outer tubs really clean before reassembly

 

[rp2813]

Channeling Emily Litella

That looks like the new and improved filter.

 

[joefuss1984]

Agitator Removal Problems

I am still having problems removing the agitator on this machine. I have tried pouring the boiling water over the top and using a rubber mallet to try and loosen it. I also used an inner-tube under the agitator but the inner-tube popped and the agitator is still stuck in place.

I have been unable to find an agitamer for sale online. If anyone has one that I could borrow I will pay for shipping or if anyone has any other ideas that I can try please let me know.

Thanks for the help!

 

[volvoguy87]

Agi Tamer.

Get your hands on an Agi Tamer. It's sort of a flattened but extra thick inner tube designed to go under an agitator. It gets filled with water, and it pops the agitator up.

They really work well.
Dave

 

[yogitunes]

agitator removal.....

lay two towels on each side of the top of the machine opening.......

place a 2 x 4 across the towels, to prevent scratches......

take two ratcheting tie downs, and criss cross over the board, and under the agitator......

snug up the slack, and start ratcheting the straps, alternating until the agitator pops off....

this had worked on really tough ones......for the most part, it should be stuff you already have....

keep us posted to your progress....

 

[repairguy]

What a great machine. According to the serial number it was made in 1977. Sounds like it has a leaking center tub seal as mentioned. Given the age it probably will not come apart easily but once you get past that and get it back into operation you will be glad that you did.

 

[stan]

Joe

You have removed the agitator bolt? Right? You didn't mention that, so just wanted to be sure.
I recently replaced the tub seal on a friends Kenmore..
I had a spanner wrench to remove the tub bolt and that was no problem. Where I had trouble.. Was removing the inner tub that should lift out. After several attempts, I had to stand inside the machine and rock back and forth to break it loose. And that didn't happen for me on the first attempt!

 

[joefuss1984]

agitator bolt

If by the agitator bolt you mean the cap that screws off of the top then yes, I did remove that. I have the spanner wrench when and if I get the agitator off.

 

[yogitunes]

what Stan is asking.....is the bolt in the cap, or stuck in the shaft?

some have a bit of a base in the center, or a washer in place holding the agitator down as well as the cap itself....

just checking.....

 

[stan]

Joe

Here's some pics.. Sorry not very good pics but..
1st pic is with fabric softener dispenser already off. The flat cap just lifts off with a screwdriver
In the 2nd pic there's a bolt holding the agitator down, (can't see it but its down there)
I think it's a 7/16 or 3/4
You would need a socket wrench with a extender to reach it. Unless yours has a different set up.
I just want to make sure you've removed yours, so you don't struggle getting your agitator off without first removing.

 

[stan]

Also

If you find and remove the bolt.. Lift te agitator straight up off the shaft from the bottom. The agitator is actually two pieces. You don't want to separate unless your replacing the agitator dogs. If the dogs are worn..you'll know during agitation. (Poor rollover)
We'll get to that later if need be.

 

[joefuss1984]

O, I see what you mean now. You are looking at the triple action agitator on a direct drive. I just have a straight vane agitator on a belt drive with a cap that screws off of the top.

 

[stan]

Someone

who knows Belt Drives better will come by, but I would think there's still a bolt holding that agitator.. aside from a cap?
Martian will know for sure. Let's see if he stops by.