Maytag A107 Washer -- spin cycle problem

[pmkrsk]

Help...I have an old Maytag washer that is probably 30+ years old. Today, during the spin cycle, the little motor started banging very hard (sliding back and forth hard) until the washer stopped mid-cycle. After a while, I was able to get the washer started again, but during the spin cycle, it's like the motor is bogged down, actually draining power from my house (dimming the lights slightly) each time the motor starts banging.

What is wrong? Should I scrap this unit, which has served me well for over 20 years (I bought it used), or should I invest time and $$ in fixing it? Better yet, could I fix it myself and what could the overall repair costs be?

Thanks so much for your help and Happy New Year!!!!

Mark

 

[sudsmaster]

First, I'd check the belts. Older Maytags are designed without clutches - instead, the belt slips going into spin. So genuine Maytag belts are designed to slip. Automotive belts are designed NOT to slip. If an automotive type belt has been put in, then that might be the problem - the motor is trying to get the basket up to full speed immediately, but there's no clutch or slipping belt to allow it to spin at full speed until the basket catches up.

If the belts are genuine Maytag, then I'd see if the basket turns by hand if you shut the machine off in the middle of a spin attempt. Then I'd check to see if the motor is able to get up to speed in spin without any belt. If the motor's ok, and the belts are ok, and the bearings are ok, maybe the transmission ran out of oil and went bad. Is there oil on the floor?

 

[pmkrsk]

no, doesn't look like there is oil on the floor.

How would I access the belts to check them? I have the front cover of the machine off.

Thanks!

 

[DADoES]

Belts are under the machine. Lean it back balance securely against a wall, or propped up with something.

 

[pmkrsk]

Belts

I looked the belts (both "Maytag" belts)and the inner belt connecting the bucket to the motor is pretty chewed up in one section. I also cleaned alot of lint from around the belts and under the machine. How do you remove the belts??

I'm sorry, but I'm a novice at this, but a quick learner....

Anything else I should look for?

Thanks!!!!

Mark

 

[goatfarmer]

Unplug the machine,tilt it back,and the belts should come off fairly easy.The motor is on a sliding mechanism,and tilting it back removes pressure from the belt set.
With the belts off,see if you can turn the large pulley underneath both ways.One way will be tough,since your turning the whole transmission,tub,etc. But you should be able to turn it.
The washer wasn't overloaded,or have a lot of blankets,etc in it? Might be a stuck brake.

kennyGF

 

[pmkrsk]

Success!!!

Guys --

Thanks to all of you who contributed assistance in my quest to fix my old, reliable washer!!!

In the end, I replaced both belts, adjusted the pump back for more tension on the motor/pump belt and the washer works perfectly...$48!!!

I also wanted to add that I took Rich and Kenny's advice in checking to see if the motor worked with the belts off, and moved the basket around to make sure the transmission was ok.

My wife can't believe that I actually fixed the machine. (I think she was wishing for a new $1,000 front loading unit, which would probably break in 5 years...)

With help like this, I look forward to keeping my old Maytag units for another 20 - 30 years!

Happy New Year!!!

Mark

 

[sudsmaster]

Yaaay!

 

[pturo]

I have an A107 that is 30years old that had exactly the same problem. I also have an A408 that is 35 years old and a Maytag DG906. They are machines worth keeping because of what you just exerienced: Simple, straightforward design and good quality that the common person can fix. That dependable care design is no longer made. You have now entered the zone of fix it yourself success. Use the thousand bucks you would have spent on a frontloader to take your wife on vacation, then come home and do your laundry in your A107!

 

[goatfarmer]

Great job,glad to hear everything worked out!

kennyGF

 

[rinso]

Hooray for you! You have just learned that one of the many reasons Maytag machines were so dependable. They engineered things for mechanical simplicity. The slipping belt idea was pure genious, as was the helical drive.

No clutches, no banging solenoids, no neutral drain, and a machine designed so that nothing was subjected to a lot of stress.

 

[snogal]

I have a Maytag A408 that was having the same problems, we replaced the belts, and now have found we need the plates and springs that the motor sits on. Am in the process of seeing if the local repair place can get them cheaper than I can online. Wish us luck...(hoping I don't have to plug in the maytag wringer that's under the steps)

 

[goatfarmer]

Those should still be available,Snogal.The hardest part of that job is removing the motor pulley,sometimes the setscrew can be difficult.

kennyGF