Maytag “grinding” noise

[drummerboy928]

Hello everyone, Recently I’ve noticed a new and unusual sound coming from my dads 1985 Maytag A382. when the machine begins ramping up for spin, sometimes it seems to make a noise that sounds almost like some sort of “grinding”. It only seems to do it at certain speed, specifically when building up speed. Once it hits full speed, it goes away, and doesn’t come back when coasting to a stop. It doesn’t do it all the time and also doesn’t seem to have any sort of key to the noise. For example, it could be a heavy load, or a very light load, and it doesn’t matter if it’s perfectly balanced or not. Sometimes it’ll make the noise during the first spin, but then the noise does not come back for the second spin. Is anyone able to identify what the noise could be, or how serious it is?

The link is for a very brief video of the noise. The noise begins about 14 seconds in. (Yes, I know the motor bearings are pretty much shot)

 

[qsd-dan]

There's more than one noise that requires attention here.

 

First Noise: The "clicky" noise could be something in the pump but usually it's the sign of a well worn pump belt. Slip both belts off and check for wear/cracks while you're under there. Make sure the motor carriage glides nice and smooth, the rollers are still in good condition (they wear egg shaped after many years they can break after several decades), and the tracks are clean and well lubed. If you have turbine oil on hand, oil the pump.

 

The noise you're describing sounds like the tub bearing is getting dry. If the machine still has the original tub bearing with the fat wick, the wick can be lubricated with turbine oil and "nursed" along for a while longer. See reply #13 regarding that at the following link: https://www.automaticwasher.org/cgi-bin/TD/TD-VIEWTHREAD.cgi?25520

 

[drummerboy928]

Thank you for the assistance. It just started making the noise recently and this time it seemed to sound extra loud. I’ve been aware for a while that the motor and belts are not in the best of shape. Being that everything on this machine is factory original, and has never really been serviced, it’s probably in desperate need of some TLC.