... and the timing diagram:
Maytag A209 - Anyone missing a sock?
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I didn't have water or a drain handy out in the garage, so I made this jumper wire to bypass the fill switch, so it acted like the tub was always full of water. That way I could test the mechanicals without too much of a mess if it had to all come back apart. These connections got a good wrap of electrical tape before the panel was closed back up, to keep them from shorting on anything.
With the fill switch bypassed, I plugged the washer in and set it to wash. It started right away, and seemed to operate just fine?....
Set it to Spin- Clunk.. buzzzzzz...... some groans, and sounds of friction as the tub rotated slowly. Nope, that's not happy.
The tub was difficult to turn by hand, but the sounds sounded like they came from above, not below. I grabbed a flashlight, and what do I find jammed up in the lip between the inner and outer tubs?
Yep, a sock!
Set it to Spin- Clunk.. buzzzzzz...... some groans, and sounds of friction as the tub rotated slowly. Nope, that's not happy.
The tub was difficult to turn by hand, but the sounds sounded like they came from above, not below. I grabbed a flashlight, and what do I find jammed up in the lip between the inner and outer tubs?
Yep, a sock!
With the sock removed, I again tried the spin. It started more quickly and began to build speed, but I quickly shut it down again. The sound this time was more like... hard to describe... like a fender or shoe rubbing on the tire of a bicycle? And the tub stopped unusually quickly when I turned it off.
So NOW what is the problem?
It took me a few minutes to find it...
So NOW what is the problem?
It took me a few minutes to find it...
Yep, that's right, it took TWO socks to take down the mighty Maytag!
This one really worked its way down... so I had to pull the top half of the outer tub off to get to it. Yep, it's a sock down there. Blue-grey too, just the right color to hide behind the blue porcelain inner tub.
This one really worked its way down... so I had to pull the top half of the outer tub off to get to it. Yep, it's a sock down there. Blue-grey too, just the right color to hide behind the blue porcelain inner tub.
So I fashioned a hook from some stiff wire... fence wire I think... and was able to surgically extract the wayward sock. It was wedged in there surprisingly firmly.
If this tool doesn't have a Maytag part number, I might have to give it an honorary number.
If this tool doesn't have a Maytag part number, I might have to give it an honorary number.
I re-assembled the outer tub using the soap ring as a height guide, secured the upper part of the cabinet, crossed my fingers, and pulled the knob on spin.
To my relief, it spun up quickly and quietly. So quietly in fact, I did a double-take to check if it was actually spinning - I wasn't prepared for it to be THAT quiet.
So that's that! Two separate socks, that's all it was. Two socks in the wrong place and this washer was rolled out to the curb. I wonder how many others have met a similar fate?
Now a question for the experts:
I'm going to pick up some calibrated wood blocks from my father to set the correct spacing on the upper tub cover, so I wasn't too worried about reassembly when I put it back together, as I knew it would come back apart again. When I do it for real, is there any advice on how to manage that 36-year-old rubber seal under the stainless band? Are they typically OK for re-use, or do you just replace them as a matter of routine? Any special tricks to ensure a good seal once they have been removed?
To my relief, it spun up quickly and quietly. So quietly in fact, I did a double-take to check if it was actually spinning - I wasn't prepared for it to be THAT quiet.
So that's that! Two separate socks, that's all it was. Two socks in the wrong place and this washer was rolled out to the curb. I wonder how many others have met a similar fate?
Now a question for the experts:
I'm going to pick up some calibrated wood blocks from my father to set the correct spacing on the upper tub cover, so I wasn't too worried about reassembly when I put it back together, as I knew it would come back apart again. When I do it for real, is there any advice on how to manage that 36-year-old rubber seal under the stainless band? Are they typically OK for re-use, or do you just replace them as a matter of routine? Any special tricks to ensure a good seal once they have been removed?
Wow - this washer was so close to meeting its maker! Way to go on quickly snagging it from the scrappers and finding the two pesky socks that tried to jump ship.
You may receive some varied opinion on the SS band and rubber seal, but IMO if the rubber seal is clean and isn't completely dry-rotted you can re-use. If you are seeing large cracks then it would be good to replace. It is still available - PN 2-11232 / 211232 / WP211232. Clean the SS band and re-use. Sometimes the screws may rust and bust but seeing the condition of your A209 I'm doubting that is an issue.
Bartunek's Maytag - sounds like a nice Czech dealer. Too bad they along with the many businesses and homes were permanently closed and destroyed after June, 2008.
Ben
You may receive some varied opinion on the SS band and rubber seal, but IMO if the rubber seal is clean and isn't completely dry-rotted you can re-use. If you are seeing large cracks then it would be good to replace. It is still available - PN 2-11232 / 211232 / WP211232. Clean the SS band and re-use. Sometimes the screws may rust and bust but seeing the condition of your A209 I'm doubting that is an issue.
Bartunek's Maytag - sounds like a nice Czech dealer. Too bad they along with the many businesses and homes were permanently closed and destroyed after June, 2008.
Ben
Nice save!
79maytaga106
Active member
I went ahead and replaced the 211232 seal when I redid my A106, though my original appeared to still be in good condition.
good-shepherd
Well-known member
Are they typically OK for re-use
The tub seals are fine for re-use if in good condition, I typically clean and soften them up with some WD-40 or similar.
More often the problem is rust on the tub lip.
The tub seals are fine for re-use if in good condition, I typically clean and soften them up with some WD-40 or similar.
More often the problem is rust on the tub lip.
Sock it to me!! Nice detective work and nice machine!
Small update:
This machine ultimately did leak a bit from the large tub seal. The rubber of the original seal was in good shape, so the rust pitting (small amount) was likely the cause.
We used the machine for a short while for smaller loads with a lower water level that wouldn't aggravate the condition, then I unhooked it to paint that mating surface. Life got busy, and that never happened, so this is back on the plate to finish this up soon.
This machine ultimately did leak a bit from the large tub seal. The rubber of the original seal was in good shape, so the rust pitting (small amount) was likely the cause.
We used the machine for a short while for smaller loads with a lower water level that wouldn't aggravate the condition, then I unhooked it to paint that mating surface. Life got busy, and that never happened, so this is back on the plate to finish this up soon.
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