sschultz2929
New member
- Joined
- Aug 17, 2025
- Messages
- 1
Hello, everyone. It's my first time posting here. We've got an older Maytag A612 washing machine (serial number 030627) that has been serving us well for years. It came with a home we bought about 5 years ago. Lately, at the very start of the spin cycle, there is a squeal that starts slow and picks up speed and then goes away after about 5 seconds. It's unnerving and we'd like to remedy it. I've read enough on various sites to convince myself that this is a machine we want to keep going (as opposed to ditching it and buying a modern one with a lot of bells and whistles but which might not be as effective as this one).
My first guess was a slipping or worn belt. However, the belts themselves are fine and I even treated them with CRC Belt Conditioner. That did not change the sound we are hearing.
When I first tipped the machine back, there was some evidence of some lubricant having leaked. I'm *guessing* it may have leaked from the lowest seal (the one that's visible after removing the pulley and brake package) but I've not gotten to that point of disassembly at all so I can't say for certain. There are no visible signs of leakage anywhere else.
Given our situation, my next thought after doing some additional internet research was the damper pads. While I have not put eyes on them, they do not seem to be the problem. There are no stray pieces of them on the washer's lower panel. I don't see any signs of them having failed or starting to fall apart. Also, the tub does not wobble off-center when spinning and the screeching does not seem to be coming from the area where the damper pads are.
The sound is possibly
*gulp* coming from the transmission area. Given I had some lubrication leak, I'm wondering if there is any way (preferably an EASY way) to both check the level of and add more lubricant to the transmission. It sure doesn't look like it based on me looking over the situation and based on research I've done. I've seen a few videos on replacing the damper pads and I might do that anyway (even though I'm pretty convinced they are not the problem) and, since I've seen those videos, I'm familiar with what I'm going to be up against concerning the removal of the brake package since I don't own the special Maytag tool nor can I get one.
Moving the transmission by hand (that is, trying to spin it as rapidly as a human can move it) does not cause any noise at all.
Anyway, I'm interested in hearing what you all have to say about my machine's issue:
I'm sitting tight until I hear from some of you. THANKS!
My first guess was a slipping or worn belt. However, the belts themselves are fine and I even treated them with CRC Belt Conditioner. That did not change the sound we are hearing.
When I first tipped the machine back, there was some evidence of some lubricant having leaked. I'm *guessing* it may have leaked from the lowest seal (the one that's visible after removing the pulley and brake package) but I've not gotten to that point of disassembly at all so I can't say for certain. There are no visible signs of leakage anywhere else.
Given our situation, my next thought after doing some additional internet research was the damper pads. While I have not put eyes on them, they do not seem to be the problem. There are no stray pieces of them on the washer's lower panel. I don't see any signs of them having failed or starting to fall apart. Also, the tub does not wobble off-center when spinning and the screeching does not seem to be coming from the area where the damper pads are.
The sound is possibly
*gulp* coming from the transmission area. Given I had some lubrication leak, I'm wondering if there is any way (preferably an EASY way) to both check the level of and add more lubricant to the transmission. It sure doesn't look like it based on me looking over the situation and based on research I've done. I've seen a few videos on replacing the damper pads and I might do that anyway (even though I'm pretty convinced they are not the problem) and, since I've seen those videos, I'm familiar with what I'm going to be up against concerning the removal of the brake package since I don't own the special Maytag tool nor can I get one.Moving the transmission by hand (that is, trying to spin it as rapidly as a human can move it) does not cause any noise at all.
Anyway, I'm interested in hearing what you all have to say about my machine's issue:
- First, is it plausible that it's transmission-related? Since it goes away within 5 seconds or so and the machine spins fine after that, maybe it's not.
- Is it some bearing, perhaps? And, if so, does it make sense that it would go away after 5 seconds or so?
- Is there an easy way to check the lubricant level in the transmission and to add more, if I need to. (By the way, what's the proper lube? I saw part #350572 oil on several videos but I'd like to confirm.)
- I saw a video on replacing the transmission oil seal at the lowest end of the shaft. It sure looks like getting the old one out is the hardest part of this service.
I'm sitting tight until I hear from some of you. THANKS!
