Maytag A712 Question

[beekeyknee]

John,

Drew's post was documented years ago and has been referred to many times and I know you have seen it. Why all of a sudden now you decide to say it's wrong? That really doesn't make much sense.

B.

 

[bendixmark]

seal

You cant use that old seal with the new stem and seal,the new seal is better they hardly ever leak.

 

[combo52]

Rebuilding an A712 MT Washer

Hi Brain, I did not say Drew's method is necessarily wrong and yes I saw his orignal post about using the extra seal, I am only saying I WOULD NOT DO IT, with a brand new transmission- agitator shaft I don't see the need and it might cause a problem and without the SS washer it will not likely work in any event.

 

After this dual seal method is used on a hundred or so machines and after 15-20 years goes by I might change my mind, but at this time I don't think it is a good idea.

 

John L.

 

[beekeyknee]

Well, the old seal can be used with the new stem mount because I've done it. The stainless washer isn't used. That's explained in my thread as well as Drew's. Whether it lasts for ten or fifteen years, I'll have to let you know. It's worked well for over three and I'd do it again if needed. Drew might chime in on this since it was his idea but if I were him I'm not sure I'd want to. Peace out.

 

[DigAPony]

upward pressure against the bottom of a lip type seal

I've wondered about that myself.

How about simply reusing the original stem mount with a new boot and agitator shaft seal?

 

[colloquor]

Outer Tub/Spin Tub Clearance

I have everything back together on the A712 rebuild with the exception of the "old fashioned' tub cover, and its bleach hose and water fill hose, and the agitator. I have a new tub cover gasket, and have cleaned both the outer tub and tub cover, so that is hopefully my next step.

As I stated in an earlier post, I'm really OCD and pay very close attention to detail, thus I took a number of photos with my digicam during the disasembly. One thing I noted during disassembly was the space or clearance between the spin tub and the outer tub was equal on the sides (9 and 3 o'clock positions), but not equal - more space or clearance at the front (6 o'clock position) than the back (12 o'clock position). Is this normal? My logical brain tells me that the space should be equal around the circumference of the spin tub and outer tub - but, maybe not.

If the space should be equal all the way around the spin tub within the outer tub, what's the problem? Could it have been mis-centered from the Maytag factory? As I said, it was this way before I began the disassembly.

Attached is a front-view JPG of the circa 1990 LA712 moved out of the workshop area into the basement hallway adjacent to the laundry room. If the inner tub clearance anomaly is a problem, it gets rolled back into the workshop ASAP.

Thanks,
Don

 

[rp2813]

I'm pretty sure the difference in 6:00 and 12:00 tub clearance is normal.  Our old Maytag was the same way.

 

[colloquor]

The A712 Rebuild Complete

The Maytag A712 rebuild is finished. I pushed it into the laundry room, and did several test runs with various water levels and cycles. All works fine - agitates fine, spins fine, no leaks, no spin tub rubs, and sounds good with less vibration that before. The toughest task of the entire rebuild was the installation, and adjustment, of the old-style outer tub top cover. it took several tries to get the clearance exactly correct.

Attached is a JPG of the machine in the basement hallway as before, as I can't get a wide shot in its location next to the Maytag companion D713 gas dryer due to lack of space.

Thanks to everyone who gave me advice and input on this project. It is sincerely appreciated. I'm tired, but pleased, and my wife is happy to have her A712 back in service again - and more importantly, no more trips to the laundramat! Although the A712 probably won't last another 24 years, but then again, neither will I.

Thanks again,
Don

 

[goatfarmer]

Excellent job!

 

[mrb627]

Wow

It looks factory new. Great job, Don.

Malcolm

 

[colloquor]

Malcolm,

That's why my wife wanted to keep it! She really takes care of her appliances.

Thanks again to everyone for the kind words.

Don

 

[colloquor]

Back in Service in the Laundry Room

I thought you guys would like to see the finished A712 back in its rightful home next to the DG713 dryer.

Thanks again for all of your assistance. I took the opportunity to completely clean out the dryer venting, and also install a new vent hood assy on the outside of the house. Hopefully, all should be good for a few more years!

Thanks.
Don

 

[akronman]

a FEW MORE YEARS, you say?

like maybe 15 or 20, damn fine work you did. While you still have the bug to restore well built appliances, take on the dryer. De-linting EVERYWHERE inside, a thorough blowout of the motor and then some few drops of oil in the motor bearings, some minor lithium grease on the drum spindle or glides, a firm swipe of rubbing alcohol across the thermostats, a new belt after all this time and a drop of oil on the idler pulley, that matched set of sturdy workhorses might be a reliably working pair for another 15 years.
Your hard work will pay off.

 

[rp2813]

That washer is beautiful.  It's worthy of every bit of the expert service you performed, and is a far better machine than anything on the market today. 

 

Enjoy it for another 20 years!

 

[washdaddy]

CONGRATULATIONS

That machine looks great. You did a phenomenal job on it and it should outlast anything new that's out on the market now.

 

[nyvram]

LA612

Hey all,

I'm looking to purchase a 1987(?) LA612 washer/dryer set from someone who has taken really good care of them.

Do you know the difference between the "A612" and the "LA612"?

I'm going to offer him around $150 for the set. Is that too high or low? I've seen the insides of the washer and it looks clean and the outside looks fantastic. He says its in perfect running condition although the dryer has recently starting making a vibration when running.

Is this a 'large capacity' washer? I'm trying to figure out the "L" in the model number.

I want a mid-1980s Maytag set so should is this a great set to go with or should I look for something else?

Thanks and sorry for all the questions! Consider me a man who is fed up with front loader washers and all the electronic headaches. I want something simple and reliable.

 

[DADoES]

 
L is a code for color Almond, I believe.  Maytag prepended color codes for many years instead of appending them as most other manufacturers.

 

[rp2813]

I don't know all of the differences, but capacity doesn't appear to be one of them per the water level selector and the copy below the Maytag logo on the left.  The 612 has Maytag's version of an "extra large" tub.

 

With fewer buttons than the 712, that means fewer options, like you can't have a slow wash speed with a normal spin speed -- it's all slow, or it's all normal.  Wash and rinse temperature selections are fewer than on the 712 too, with no warm rinse option on the 612.

 

I think the cycle selections on the timer dial are pretty much the same on both.

 

Others may have more detailed information about the differences in these two models, and about the dryer as well.

 

I think $150 is reasonable for the pair, considering that at $75, you're paying less than 10% of the price for a new and frustrating electronic junk front loader, and getting something that will easily outlast one -- even after already providing over 25 years of service.

 

[nyvram]

thank you so much!!! i'm not sure if i want to hold out for a 712 or stick with the 612. i honestly dont use that many options even on my current model.

i'm also looking forward to getting my hands 'dirty' as i am used to fixing things..swapped out a ridicuously expensive 'motherboard' on my fancy samsung washer for several hundred dollars.

i cant wait to get back to the simplicity of these machines. clothes washing shouldnt be so expensive and complicated.

my wife fussed forever when i gave up my trusty old sears washer and started down the front loader death spiral of increasing frustration and expense and crummy performance.

 

[goatfarmer]

Nice looking set! The vibration in the dryer may be a bad roller, or the front glides are bad. Or it may even be the blower on the motor being bad.

 

[rp2813]

If you know the 612 set has been well maintained -- and they sure look it -- go for it! 

 

A 612 washer will get your clothes just as clean as a 712 would.

 

You'll get help with the dryer from experts here when/if you need it.

 

[combo52]

Maytag LA-612

The L is for limited edition, LOL, no it it means that the machine is almond in color.

 

Your laundry choice should not be between a Samsung [ yuck ] and an old MT that is an energy hog and was only an average performer back in the day. I would look at a new Speed Queen front Load washer, a new SQ could last you the rest of your life, [ depending on your age of course ].

 

[nyvram]

Im intrigued by speed queen but I have made several costly $1500 mistakes with bad front loader after bad.

I long for the relative simplicity of my old sears top loader I owned for 15 trouble free years. I regret the day I sold it for $20 as nothing has worked nearly as well since.

 

[DigAPony]

I'd grab them, $150 is a fair price especially since the dryer may need some work.

If you come across an A712 in the future the control panel/wire harness could be swapped onto the A612 to keep the matching almond set intact.

 

[redcarpetdrew]

Don't hold back, John...

Tell us how you really feel!

Where the Maytag is going to shine is in solid performance and ease of service. Properly maintained, that set will last a good long time and for the asking price will more than return that price many times over.

RCD

 

[nyvram]

Quick update: picked up both units today and will hopefully install them next week. Very excited.

 

[elgato]

I have an LA612. It has been one of the most reliable appliances I have ever owned.
Truly Amazing!

Recently the spin cycle began slowing to a crawl. I removed the tub cover to check for obstructions. After replacing it there was a grinding noise and it would not turn at all. Thanks to this thread I learned that replacing the cover is a bit tricky. Adjusted the gasket and all is well.

It tries to spin, just very slowly. When I put a bit more pressure on the belt by pulling on the motor it spins fine. I assume it just needs a new belt?

Does anyone know the capacity of the LA612?

If you had to buy a new top loader today, which one would you recommend?

Thanks for the expertise.

 

[gansky1]

Buy the washer you already have. If it's been running well, a little maintenance will keep it in good shape.

It sounds like you just need to replace the motor glides & springs and re-lube the tracks the motor moves in. A new set of belts probably would be a good idea now too. The video link should help guide you through this relatively simple process.

I've recently been working on a new arrival, a 712 version. It's in testing mode in the garage now. What a nice washer.

http://https//www.youtube.com/watch?v=LIdfBEv8fec

 

[volvoguy87]

Bearings.

Take out the inner tub and see if it will spin.

Has it been leaking water? You might Need to replace the bearing in the bottom of the outer tub below the mounting stem / boot seal assembly. If it's been leaking, you may need to replace the mounting stem / boot seal, or a part in it. There is also an even cheaper bearing in the top of the brake below the transmission that can have issues, especially if it gets wet. That one tends to make soem noise when it fails.

Dave

 

[elgato]

It sounds like you just need to replace the motor glides & s

"It sounds like you just need to replace the motor glides & springs and re-lube the tracks the motor moves in. A new set of belts probably would be a good idea now too. The video link should help guide you through this relatively simple process"

The parts store was out of the spring and guides kit. I cleaned the pulleys, greased the slides with silicone grease and replaced the belts. The motor slides back and forth very easily. With the new belt the motor does not move as far so the belt was obviously very stretched. The spin starts extremely slow but works its way up to speed in about 30 seconds. Seems way to long? If I put a little additional pressure on the motor it seems to work fine. Do the springs really weaken that much over time?
Thanks again.