Maytag A506 groaning on start of spin

[k1rod]

Hi All,  I just purchased an old Maytag A506 machine.  The Machine seems to work well except that it makes a kind of groaning sound as the spin cycle starts up.  As the spin speed goes up, the groan goes up in pitch and down in volume until by the time it is up to full speed, it sounds fine and  I can't hear the "groan" at all anymore.  My first thought is "tub bearing".  Does this sound right?  How difficult is that to change?  Thanks in advance.

 

[tomturbomatic]

Usually, it does not need replacement, just lubricating. We pour oil into the sintered bronze bearing while turning it and let it soak in then reinstall it. My Maytags make sort of a "Brap,Brap,Brap" rubbing noise at low speed when the bearings need lubricating which is certainly better than screaming for more lubrication.

 

[k1rod]

I'm thinking that to oil this bearing, the agitator, spin basket and tub seal all have to come out (or is there an easier way?...hoping...)

 

 

[tomturbomatic]

YES! Just like replacing it except for less money. It is a marvelous piece of metal though. "Sintered" means to make into a coherent mass by heating without melting so it contains pores and passages which hold oil. As long as the seals keep water away from it and it gets oiled every 15 or 20 years, it can last for a very long time. If you decide to do the lube job, remember that the tub spins counterclockwise so the nut that holds the tub on the hub comes off by turning it clockwise.

 

[k1rod]

Thanks Tom, I think I'll give that a try. I am guessing something on the order of 30W non detergent oil for the bearing? Now off to buy a spanner wrench!

 

[volvoguy87]

Maybe a lighter oil?

Maybe as light as Zoom Spout. Any bearing lubrication experts out there?
Dave

 

[beekeyknee]

Turbine Oil Only...

to oil this bearing with, such as Zoom-Spout oil. It should be paraffin based and definitely non-detergent. You can take your machine apart for a general over-haul if you want to give it a good going over, but be prepared to find other problems and maintenance issues that could take you awhile and cost money. You'll have to be dedicated to a complete tear-down. You may know all of this already.

If your tub bearing has the fat bottom on the underneath side of the tub between it and the transmission you can give it a healthy injection of oil with a hypodermic syringe and an 18 gauge needle (light pink base). If you have the old chubby type bearing and it hasn't been oiled before, I'd put 6 or 9 CC's (mls) in there. If you don't have the older type bearing, I'd try heating up the bearing by letting it spin for several minutes, wrapping a cotton cloth around the base of the bearing leaving a small space open on one side that's easy to get to and squirt some of that turbine oil toward the transmission neck between the bottom of the bearing and the top of the transmission cover with the needle and see if the bearing will grab it up. I've never tried this, but it might work with the newer type bearing. I'll give it a try when the time comes around.

See the pics below.

 

[beekeyknee]

Pic 2

 

[beekeyknee]

Pic 3

 

[beekeyknee]

Pic 4

The newer type bearing. See how it's thin on the bottom.

 

[beekeyknee]

Place where I'd try and squirt oil if I had the newer type bearing. Where the bronze meets the transmission top and maybe even try and squirt some up in that water relief groove.

 

[combo52]

Oiling The Top Spin Bearing On MT Helical Drive Washers

Good advice Brain, yes I would diffidently try oiling it without dissembling the washer unless you want a big project. I have successfully oiled many of these by turning the washer almost completely up side down and you will find that the light turban oil will go into the spin bearing fairly easily. It is actually not a bad idea to turn these oil MTs up side down as it also allows transmission oil to soak into the top agitator shaft bearing [ this can really help washers that are slow to start agitating ] and leave it turned over for a few days so the oil can soak in.

 

[k1rod]

Great pictures Brian, Thanks. I am going to try this this weekend.

 

[jben]

Where do you find this bearing on the A506 washer ?

I've got my A506 turned upside down as Combo52 mentioned above.

I cannot find that bearing that is pictured above to oil. On the very bottom is the large pulley for the main belt. I can't see anything in that area. Do you have to remove that large center pulley?

I also took off both of the small round, back access panels and looked inside. I can see the area where those 3 snubber pads are located and the bottom of the transmission; but still don't see anything that looks like the pictures to locate that bearing.

Do I have to pull off the main (full) front cover panel to find it?

Any further description would be helpful as I got an upside down washer at the side of my house and don't know if the neighbors can appreciate my "yard art".

 

[qsd-dan]

The tub bearing is located at the bottom center of the tub between the tub and upper transmission housing. You need to remove the front cover for access.

 

[good-shepherd]

Do I have to pull off the main (full) front cover panel

Yep.

Thats like trying to check the oil on a car without opening the hood.

Speaking of opening the hood, Maytag front panels open in a similar way.

Remove the two phillips head screws on the bottom and lift the panel out and up until the two clips at the top release. Reverse the process to replace.

https://www.automaticwasher.org/cgi-bin/TD/TD-VIEWTHREAD.cgi?22830