Kitchen Aid DD Washer clunking noise only during agitation

[SQueenJJ]

Oil Drops

When I moved the washer to inspect the transmission bolts, I noticed several drops on oil on the floor-- I'm thinking that is a dead giveaway that the transmission needs replacing or will before long. Actually it was easy removing the hoses and laying the washer on it's back. The Transmission bolts were good and tight and you could see a bit of oil between it and the motor. [this post was last edited: 3/24/2013-13:58]

 

[whirlcool]

To me the noise sounds more like a chugging noise than a clunking noise. It also sounds like it could be resonance between the fabric softner dispenser and the agitator. If the fabric softner dispenser "clicked" into the agitator properly?

Our Whirlpool makes this same noise, but not as loud. To me a "clunk" is the noise a automatic transmission in a car sometimes makes when you put the car in gear.

 

[SQueenJJ]

Allen,

The fabric softener dispenser is snapped into the agitator good and tight. The agitator dogs work properly as well.

 

[DADoES]

 
There is an oil seal at the tranny drive shaft that can wear and leak oil.  A few transitory drops is not cause for alarm but continual / repeated dripping is of course an unwanted situation.

 

[whirlykenmore78]

From what I saw and heard

On your video, the machine is working perfectly.  As John said if the clunking is extremely loud you may want to check the transmission mounts.  Otherwise that is a normal sound for any DD Whirlpool machine.  I have never seen one that did not make it.  Here is my 1986 Kenmore washing as it should.  There is no abnormal sounds.

WK78 

 

[qsd-dan]

Here is my 1986 Kenmore washing as it should.

Holy incredible short spray rinses....Batman. I counted a total of 23 seconds worth of spray rinsing during the first spin-out. I guess I'm just used to a solid 1 minute spray blasting away.

 

I'm surprised it spin drained. Normal for this year/model or bad neutral drain pack?

 

[whirlykenmore78]

RE: holy incredible short spray rinses

This washer does 5 pulse spray rinses with each spin at 5 seconds each. This would make a total of 50 seconds spray rinse per cycle. As far as the spin drain it does it sometimes and on some loads not at all. I hate to replace the neutral pak unless it completely goes bad as then this machine would not be 100% original. It is the only all original 1986 KM LTD DD I know of and I don't want to change it.
WK78

 

[SQueenJJ]

Hi WK78. I did check the bolts just to be sure and they are tight. I'm not worried about the washer anymore. I love it and plan on using it until it is completely worn out- and that shouldn't happen for a long time as long as parts are available.

 

[txta11ent]

Similar problem to sqeenjj's - KA DD KAWS750LQ0

My KA washing machine began making an unusual clunking noise when agitating a few weeks ago. I checked the transmission bolts and can only hand turn the agitator one direction (CW). The noise is prevalent at the two higher speeds (HD & PP). And the clothes in the washer seem to circulate CCW at these higher speeds instead of traveling from top to bottom like they do with the two lower speeds.

Also mine had a small drop of oil under it as well, but a much larger puddle of oil after it had been on its back for a couple of hours.

Any insight and assistance would be very much appreciared.

http://https//youtu.be/MzqItMPwg5c

 

[txta11ent]

Similar problem to sqeenjj's - KA DD KAWS750LQ0

 

[DADoES]

 
Something broken in the transmission.  Some internal parts are available (you'd have to diagnose what's needed), as are full replacement transmissions, if you're inclined to do the repair.