Loud Squeal when A606 Maytag Agitates

[jpepe3691]

I'm stumped. I just replaced a pair of genuine Maytag drive and pump belts, cleaned the pulleys thoroughly, and now it appears the squealing is LOUDER than before on my old A606 ONLY when agitating, NOT in spin cycle. The agitation is STRONG, and when the machine is off I can't turn the agitator more than maybe an inch or so.
Oddly, if I grab the agitator while it's running and put a DRAG on it, the squealing goes away. THAT's why I thought BELTS right away.
If I pull the motor away (tightening the tension) it makes no difference, but if I push it forward (loosening the tension) it goes away, so now methinks I'm in over my head (like transmission, bearing, etc) I have a friend who is way more mechanically inclined than I am, but I would like to be pointed in the right direction please. I still can't figure out how to get the agitator off, and I see a SMALL 1/8" hole at the bottom which I've tried EVERYTHING on-flat blade, phillips, tiny socket, torque, etc. I've read somewhere in this forum that the A606 did NOT have a set screw. If not can anyone tell me what the tiny hole is FOR??
If there is NO set screw, I'm guessing that I have to take the brute force method of removal-(the rope and 2x4 approach) if I HAVE to take it out) unless someone has a better idea?.

 

[d-jones]

The hole in the agitators barrel is where the set screw goes. The small hole in the skirt just allows air to pass through so that the bubble of trapped air isn't so large. You can see them both in this photo. if you don't have the set screw on your agitator, you should be able to grip it tightly and pull it out, though they do get stuck sometimes. As for the screeching sound, I don't have enough experience with these machines to help you there based on your description alone. Maybe I'm wrong about this, but it seems to me that with the front panel removed you might be able to tell approximately where it's coming from. For example, when you hear this sound is it coming from someplace low on the machine where the pulleys, belts, and brake are, or someplace higher where the transmission and bearings are? Hopefully there isn't so much general noise that you can't get more of a fix on the source. Sorry I'm not more help. Maybe someone with more experience will chime in here.

 

[jpepe3691]

Thanks, d-jones for at least clarifying for me that I do NOT have the infamous set screw on my agitator. That should get me started. I'm really starting to think I'm going to have to at least pull the agitator out because the noise seems to be from the bottom of the tub area. If I open the lid while it is agitating, and put my ear close to the agitator cup that's where it is the LOUDEST- straight down the center.
With the front panel off, the squeal once again seems to be coming from the general area of the transmission housing, at the bottom of the tub, and NOT from the bottom pulley area. I also don't see any oil leaks anywhere.
Without ever tearing down a washer before, I suspect something needs lubrication because yesterday I tried doing LARGE loads, and the noise went away. Then ditto on Normal Load. Its only on SMALL loads that the squealing comes back, though intermittenly.
Ironically, throughout its life, the machine has only been used at two week intervals, and SELDOM every week. Yesterday I really gave it a workout, testing it all day mainly in agitation mode, and the more I used it, the quieter it got, and (not to beat a dead horse) NON EXISTENT in Normal and Large Load and SPIN cycles.

 

[kenmore71]

Your problem sounds to me like the upper transmission bearing. As these machines age, the oil gets thick and that upper bearing gets little to no lubrication. The only sure-fix to this situation is to pull the transmission, change the oil and replace that upper bearing.

That said, these transmissions can work satisfactorily for YEARS doing exactly what you describe. One thing that will help for a while is to lay the machine on its side or front for a few days (or even weeks) in as warm of a place you can find. This will cause the thickened oil to work its way into the upper bearing and help lubricate it. Also, washing in it regularly with a full tub of hot water will give the transmission the opportunity to get nicely warmed up and will help pull some warmed-up oil towards that bearing.

If it were my machine, I would try the above things and just keep using it. I would save the transmission work until the bearing actually seizes and you have no other choice.

 

[goatfarmer]

A606 agitator pulls straight up, no setscrew. You might need a tool like an agitamer to remove it.

 

It does sound like the upper bearing is dry. It will work for a while, but it eventually seize up. No good way to put a band aid on this noise,  it needs to be repaired.

 

[danemodsandy]

Ahem!

"Loud Squeal when A606 Maytag Agitates"

Y'know, there's a Betty Draper joke in there somewhere....

* ducks and runs *

 

[jpepe3691]

WOW- thanks for the responses- I KNEW I came to the right place!
So my "gut" feeling that it was a lubrication issue was correct after all.

Forgive my "newbiness" but if I decided to go ahead and replace that upper trans bearing, would I have to take the tub out and cabinet? I've seen a couple of excellent youtube videos on how to remove the tub, although on an 806, if that matters. And what exactly is an agitater?
Never thought of the excellent tip to lay the machine on it's side for days or maybe two weeks in a warm area and see if some the oil seeps into that bearing. It's really making sense now.
When I was fooling around the other day, on a hunch, I did put it on LARGE load, and filled it with HOT water and some bleach. That's really when the "mystery" squealing went away, and even on subsequent Normal and Medium Loads. Stubbornly it came back on SMALL load, although not as bad.

By the way, I would be remiss if I didn't include some pix after I gave it a little TLC. I found a new Timer Dial available from repairclinic.com

 

[westingman123]

She's a pretty girl!

Funny, I have that same GE fridge in my kitchen, and I formerly had that Kenmore dryer.

 

[whirlaway]

Never Know!

Could be a pig caught between the belts! You might need new belts! If there is is a noise under a load, check them!

 

[goatfarmer]

You mean Agitamer?

A tool to remove a stuck agitator.