Maytag A806 Tune Up

[joefuss1984]

Hello All!

I recently acquired this A806 at an estate sale in my town, half off on the last day. I am completely excited and hope to find the matching dryer at some point. It seems to be in pretty good shape considering her age. I thought I would first check the damper pads and lube them if needed. I think they may have been replaced once just looking at the mess of dried glue around the damper area. I did not see a service manual in our documentation library here, but I have hit my first stump. Does this hose come off of the bleach container so that the top will lift? Pics of machine and container attached.

SN: 738642UY

 

[joefuss1984]

I found the service manual. I guess I just overlooked it earlier. What I don't see in the literature is if the gray hose can be removed from the top of the bleach container?

 

[rp2813]

Cosmetically, your new machine looks beautiful!  Except for the "Normal" load size button, they all look barely used.

 

I'm betting this turns out to be a great machine that needs little or no attention before you can start to enjoy it.

 

[qsd-dan]

the gray hose can be removed from the top of the bleach cont

Yes, twist the hose to break the seal, then pull upward.

 

[joefuss1984]

@qsd-dan,

Thank you! What do I use to reseal?

 

[qsd-dan]

No need to reseal, the hose is usually stuck on tight from both age and water deposits.

 

[good-shepherd]

looking at the mess of dried glue around the damper area.

That mess of glue is normal factory install. Damper pads are probably original, hopefully intact, and dry as the Sahara.

Water stains looks like the tub cover seal may be leaking as well, rust/ corrosion on the pump and motor, otherwise not too bad for it's age, should clean up nicely.

Careful removing the bleach hose, it can weaken with age.

 

[joefuss1984]

following the service manual.....

I removed the eye bolt from the front and marked with electrical tape its location for attaching it back. It then states that the pressure should be relieved from the two rear springs and to remove the springs from the eye bolt. I just cant unhook those rear springs. I am using a pair of pliers. Do I just not have the strength needed or is there a better way?

 

[good-shepherd]

The nuts on the rear spring eye bolts should be removed. Very difficult, if not impossible to just unhook with tension on them.

Better read up before you break something or get hurt.

Lubing the damper pads on a Maytag Dependable Care washer. A How To.

Since I had to do one in the field, I'd thought I'd share the process to let people see how it's done and how easy it is, thereby saving you the heartache of a destroyed damper.. Here goes! In the field, there isn't always room to spread out but there is more than enough room here to get it done.

www.automaticwasher.org

 

[joefuss1984]

read-up

I was following the service manual for the machine. I will take a look at the link you sent.

 

[joefuss1984]

WooHoo! Dampers exposed!

I have the dampers exposed. Thanks to the article linked above. I feel that the service manual is a big vague, but then again I guess the Maytag repairman would have had hands on training to supplement the manual. Unfortunately, I will replacing the damper pads as one of them was completely loose. I don't see any black dust around feeling with my fingers, so I think the damper bowl is ok.

On another topic, I noticed quite a bit of grease splatter underneath when I tilted her back. This may be normal for a machine from 1974 but would like to hear you all chime in. Thanks!!

 

[good-shepherd]

The oil is the common lower trans o-ring leak, fixing it involves total disassembly. I would just clean it up for now, they can run many years that way.

Here are instruction for the damper pads:

Maytag Damper Pad Instructions?

Hola! Does anyone here have a link to a really good explanation (hopefully with pictures) of the damper pad replacement procedure on Maytag washers? I need to tackle this on an early (ca. 1968) A806. I understand there's a way to do it without removal of the brake package, which is how I...

www.automaticwasher.org

 

[good-shepherd]

New damper pads:

(wow, prices are way up, these kits went for under $10 a few years ago).

Pardon Our Interruption...

 

[joefuss1984]

While I’m Parts Ordering

What other maintenance tasks should I perform before doing an initial water test?

 

[good-shepherd]

other maintenance tasks

Clean and lube the motor slides?

BTW- Have you tried removing the agitator? That can be a battle to get off sometimes.

 

[joefuss1984]

agitator

I have not tried to remove it....should I?

 

[good-shepherd]

I have not tried to remove it....should I?

I would, probably crud under there that needs cleaning and you can check the condition of the agitator shaft.

 

[hobbyapocalypse]

Maybe check the water pump

Oil the bearing and see that the pulley turns freely, See step 7 below. You don't need to disassemble the pump, just remove the screw and put some turbine oil in there. If the pump doesn't turn freely it may need replacing.

 

[hobbyapocalypse]

And check the water injector

That may be what caused the leaking outside the tub