Maytag 806 unbalanced when empty!

[marks]

Hi Everyone! Perplexing issue with the ‘75 806. It’s unbalanced when it’s empty and super unbalanced with laundry in it. There’s nothing obviously out of place. Springs are good with tension and there’s nothing jammed between the tubs.
It wobbles and clicks when it stops pretty noticeably with nothing in it too.
Any ideas what could be causing this?!

 

[bradfordwhite]

Those certainly are good looking.  

 

[marks]

Thanks! They’re beautiful but driving me nuts right now lol!

 

[DADoES]

 
Worn damper pads under the tub support base?  Stop using the machine if there's metal-on-metal contact during tub oscillation or the surfaces may be damaged beyond recovery.

 

[marks]

I was also thinking damper pads, but there is no metal scraping it’s just unbalanced. I also noticed that there is a larger gap on the right side than the left side between the inner and outer tubs. I can fit all of my fingers in on the right side but barely one on the left side by the water inlet.

 

[qsd-dan]

"I also noticed that there is a larger gap on the right side than the left side between the inner and outer tubs."

Any chance you can take a picture of that?

It almost sounds like the inner tub got thrown off center. Do you hear a scraping sound from the inner tub rubbing against the outer during any portion of the spin cycle?

 

[marks]

I’ll try to get a picture when I’m back there tomorrow. There is a bit of a scraping sound coming from up higher as it wobbles. The gap seemed to stay in the same place even after spinning it multiple times though. Even slowly turning the belt didn’t change the gaps on either side.

 

[qsd-dan]

There is a bit of a scraping sound coming from up higher....

Yeah, when the inner tub gets thrown off-kilter it will contact the outer tub near the top.

You'll have to open the top cabinet cover, remove the tub cover (use some penetrating oil on the front screw of the metal band clamp and a BIG flathead screwdriver). With the cabinet top up and lid taped down, advance the timer to the spin cycle. When properly setup, the inner tub should accelerate from a dead stop to top speed with little to no wobble and achieve zero wobble at top speed. You'll need to remove the agitator and use a spanner wrench to loosen the tub nut, recenter the tub, and tighten the nut. Take whatever time you need to get the inner tub dead center with no wobble. Some baskets will give you hell in this department while others will immediately center themselves the first try. Always recheck after fully tightening the tub nut. Banging on the spanner wrench while tighten the nut can throw the basket off center.

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[marks]

That has to be the issue. I just checked the spacing between the inner and outer tubs on another 806 and on my 142 and it’s even all the way around. Thanks for the help! Spanner wrench is already on the way!

 

[marks]

I’ve never removed the agitator in an 806 yet. How is that done?

 

[lowefficiency]

Just pull straight up on the agitator. If you're lucky, it will pop right off.

If you're not lucky... there are other ways...

 

[qsd-dan]

Lift the agitator straight up at the base. As mentioned above, it'll pop right off if you're lucky.

If that method fails: Remove the lint filter, grab a hair blow dryer and set it to low fan/high heat, then stick it in the barrel of the agitator for 10 minutes. This both softens and expands the agitator off of the agitator shaft splines. It's an effective method that usually gets all post 1967 Maytag automatic agitators off with ease.

 

[marks]

Ok I’m back at the machine and this is what I’ve found. It looks like the inner tub is sitting at an angle against the outer tub. Hopefully loosening the tub nut and spacing it properly will work? Here are some pics showing the issue.

 

[qsd-dan]

Hopefully loosening the tub nut and spacing it properly will

It will but it can take several (sometimes many) attempts before it's perfectly centered for a smooth spin. This is why I mention taping the lid down (lid switch contacts closed), keeping the top up, and testing the spin cycle after each attempt. Keep at it until the spin cycle is butter smooth at top speed, then reassemble.

If you're not already aware, the tub nut has reverse threads. Right loosey, lefty tighty. Make sure the tub nut is nice and tight or you'll be back at it again. I use a small mini sledge hammer for maximum blow with minimal thrust. Pack the tub with towels or blankets to reduce the chances of chipping the porcelain tub.

 

[marks]

It’s fixed with a little help from Volvoguy (Dave) who was here in Atlanta conveniently.
It looks like it rattled lose one of the suspension support bolts which threw the whole thing out of wack.
It’s all fixed and runs like it should. Thanks for all the help!