Hi guys. I just bought a Kitchen Aid DD washer Model KAWS750LQ0 manufactured in Dec 2002. I had my appliance guy look at it and he said it was the cleanest 10 yr old washer he had ever seen. The outer tub was clean as a pin. He looked at the coupler and it was about worn out so he replaced it. At the time, he just turned on the washer and made sure it would agitate and spin, which it did. Today after using it for an actual load, It makes this clunking sound only when agitating in rhythm back and forth just like the agitator is moving. It can be a bit louder with a heavier load. I know the motor, agitator dogs and coupler are find. Do you have any idea what the cause is? All I could discover online is it might be the gearcase. Its fine when spinning-- just a loud clunking when agitating.
Kitchen Aid DD Washer clunking noise only during agitation
- Thread starter SQueenJJ
- Start date
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Have you checked the agitator spline? I know that can be a problem with Maytag agitators. The only Whirlpool made agitators with spline issues I have seen had their splines stripped clean off.
No I haven't checked that yet. I'll probably call the repair guy and let him listen to it over the phone-- He'll probably know right off what it is as long as he has been repairing washers. The reason we didn't try out a load the day he was here is I was waiting on a plumber to come clean out the washer drain-- It was clogged.
It could also be worn dogs on the agitator.
DirectDriveDave
Well-known member
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- Oct 11, 2011
- Messages
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Well a mild clunking sound is normal during agitation, though some DDs are louder than others, but if it is REALLY loud then maybe there is something, but I honestly not fully sure beyond that.
jerrod6
Well-known member
My KA from 1996 clunked all the way through every agitation. Never a smooth sound you'd get from belts on a pulley. Just this mechanical clinking. I figured it was the way it was supposed to sound. It was just a constant clunk clunk clunk clunk in a steady rhythm. I imagined that there were two little men inside, on each side of a two person saw whose teeth were attached to the agitator, the men pulling back and forth on this saw , making the agitator move. I just think that's what the thing sounds like. Mine never sounded any different. Of course you get a louder constant roar during water pump outs, followed a low constant motor sound during the spin.
WP DD Transmission sounds
All Whirlpool direct drive washers make what could be called a clunking sound when agitatiting. Sometimes the sound is louder when washing heavy items. Could you make a short video of it and post it so we could hear what it is doing.
WK78
All Whirlpool direct drive washers make what could be called a clunking sound when agitatiting. Sometimes the sound is louder when washing heavy items. Could you make a short video of it and post it so we could hear what it is doing.
WK78
I think its a normal sound
Hi guys. I talked to the repair guy this morning on the phone and I think the "clunking" noise is just normal for this machine. My Mother has one a year older and she says hers clunks all the time.- so it's not a big deal. I just wanted to make sure nothing was getting damaged. I love the washer. And No, I don't intend on buying a new Speed Queen when my dealer gets one in. I'm going to keep this washer running as long as I can. My dealer said he would do the same thing and he has plenty of parts to keep it going. Now for my ignorance-- How do I embed a video here?
Hi guys. I talked to the repair guy this morning on the phone and I think the "clunking" noise is just normal for this machine. My Mother has one a year older and she says hers clunks all the time.- so it's not a big deal. I just wanted to make sure nothing was getting damaged. I love the washer. And No, I don't intend on buying a new Speed Queen when my dealer gets one in. I'm going to keep this washer running as long as I can. My dealer said he would do the same thing and he has plenty of parts to keep it going. Now for my ignorance-- How do I embed a video here?
Clunking DD washer
Is likely normal, it is the spline inside the transmission where the agitator gear mates with the agitator shaft, it does get a little louder as the machine gets more use and wear under its belt. The only thing that I have ever seen that can make the clunk really loud is loose transmission mounting bolts, therefore it would be a good idea to see if all three are good and tight, this is very easy to do with a 1/2" socket with an extension, just tip the washer back and test for tightness and tighten if necessary.
If you like the KA DD Washer after a few weeks I would just keep it as it is a better performing and at least as durable as a SQ TL washer. And I am saying this as a SQ dealer, even though we have not done a warranty call on a SQ TL washer in over two years.
Is likely normal, it is the spline inside the transmission where the agitator gear mates with the agitator shaft, it does get a little louder as the machine gets more use and wear under its belt. The only thing that I have ever seen that can make the clunk really loud is loose transmission mounting bolts, therefore it would be a good idea to see if all three are good and tight, this is very easy to do with a 1/2" socket with an extension, just tip the washer back and test for tightness and tighten if necessary.
If you like the KA DD Washer after a few weeks I would just keep it as it is a better performing and at least as durable as a SQ TL washer. And I am saying this as a SQ dealer, even though we have not done a warranty call on a SQ TL washer in over two years.
Thank you for the info
Combo52,
I honestly do think the Speed Queen I purchased just happened to be a bad one-- it can happen to anybody. It just kind of makes you hesitant to get another one. I could not ask for a nicer dealer. He was upset about it too. I'll just have the KA fixed if it breaks down. I didn't pay but $125 for it so I can afford to sink some money in it. It doesn't even have one chip in the wash basket.
My mother has always had Kenmores from 1961 thru 1991. In 1991 she bought a KitchenAid and gave it to my brother in 2001(he lost his washer in a divorce) and its still going strong. She bought her an New matching set and they are still doing well. And I do think they are the best cleaning washer out there. Mother would never buy a Maytag because she thought they were too expensive and she always got good service from her Kenmores.
If anybody wants me to upload a video, please tell me how to do it.
Combo52,
I honestly do think the Speed Queen I purchased just happened to be a bad one-- it can happen to anybody. It just kind of makes you hesitant to get another one. I could not ask for a nicer dealer. He was upset about it too. I'll just have the KA fixed if it breaks down. I didn't pay but $125 for it so I can afford to sink some money in it. It doesn't even have one chip in the wash basket.
My mother has always had Kenmores from 1961 thru 1991. In 1991 she bought a KitchenAid and gave it to my brother in 2001(he lost his washer in a divorce) and its still going strong. She bought her an New matching set and they are still doing well. And I do think they are the best cleaning washer out there. Mother would never buy a Maytag because she thought they were too expensive and she always got good service from her Kenmores.
If anybody wants me to upload a video, please tell me how to do it.
Your mother was right.
The Whirlpool built KM and KA machines were some the best ever! However I would not dispute the build quality and reliability of an old Maytag. While not the best washing they were extremely durable and quiet machines.
WK78.
The Whirlpool built KM and KA machines were some the best ever! However I would not dispute the build quality and reliability of an old Maytag. While not the best washing they were extremely durable and quiet machines.
WK78.
whirlcool
Well-known member
The 2002 Kitchen Aid washers were still made my Whirlpool at that time.
My 1993 Whirlpool washer doesn't clunk at all when agitating. It's 20 years old now and still going strong. I have all the parts for an overhaul if needed. I think parts for the Whirlpool DD washers will be around for a long, long time just because Whirlpool made so many of them under various brand names including Kenmore.
My 1993 Whirlpool washer doesn't clunk at all when agitating. It's 20 years old now and still going strong. I have all the parts for an overhaul if needed. I think parts for the Whirlpool DD washers will be around for a long, long time just because Whirlpool made so many of them under various brand names including Kenmore.
Video: Many of us do it through YouTube.
1. Create an account at YouTube if you don't already have one.
2. Upload your video to your YouTube account (following the instructions given on "How To Upload Video". I used an iPad to take the video and it was a simple process. If you Google "How to upload video to YouTube" you'll find several helpful videos or articles to walk you through it.
3. While watching your video on YouTube, copy the URL at the top of the screen, then paste it into a message box here at AW.ORG (just like the one I'm typing into right now) and you're done.
1. Create an account at YouTube if you don't already have one.
2. Upload your video to your YouTube account (following the instructions given on "How To Upload Video". I used an iPad to take the video and it was a simple process. If you Google "How to upload video to YouTube" you'll find several helpful videos or articles to walk you through it.
3. While watching your video on YouTube, copy the URL at the top of the screen, then paste it into a message box here at AW.ORG (just like the one I'm typing into right now) and you're done.
Clunking DD KA washer
I should have added that the normal clunking is sometimes more noticeable on the KAs because the machine is quieter in general and the large agitator puts a little more load on the transmission. { your KA washers transmission probably has a ten year part warranty } so if the machine happens to be less than ten years old you can still get a free transmission from an authorized parts distributor.
Keep in mind that WP is still building and selling DD washers, both TL stack machines are still DD and several commercial models use the DD design, so I do think that most parts will be around for a LONG time.
I should have added that the normal clunking is sometimes more noticeable on the KAs because the machine is quieter in general and the large agitator puts a little more load on the transmission. { your KA washers transmission probably has a ten year part warranty } so if the machine happens to be less than ten years old you can still get a free transmission from an authorized parts distributor.
Keep in mind that WP is still building and selling DD washers, both TL stack machines are still DD and several commercial models use the DD design, so I do think that most parts will be around for a LONG time.
mrb627
Well-known member
Clunker
That is quite a clunk. I would say that is louder than normal, but it could be exaggerated by your camera. In either case, I don't think I would worry much about it.
Malcolm
That is quite a clunk. I would say that is louder than normal, but it could be exaggerated by your camera. In either case, I don't think I would worry much about it.
Malcolm
