Maytag Agitator Compatibility

[best_intentions]

Hi,

This is my first post but I have been to this forum many times in order to learn.

We have a Maytag top loading washer. It is a model A408. I love this machine as it is a solid workhorse and is really simple to diagnose and repair. The bearing is starting to squeak on the spin cycles so I want to replace this myself. My problem is that the agitator (teal color with no set screw) is definitely stuck on that shaft. I bought a replacement agitator in case this one gets damaged during removal. The replacement is the type with the set screw but otherwise identical. My question is simply this, can the set screw type be used as a direct replacement for the type I am dealing with now? If so I will feel free to get rough removing the old agitator. Thanks for any information you can provide.
John

 

[combo52]

Agitator types

Yes the agitator with a set screw is a direct replacement, What bearing do you think is going bad?, I have never heard a Maytag with a squeaking spin bearing.

 

If the machine just squeaks at the start of spin you have a belt problem.

 

John L.

 

[rp2813]

The Squeak

Besides a possible bad belt, the other source of the squeak could be the pump. 

 

I recently got myself a Maytag A712 and its pump made a squealing sound during agitation and spin.  The sound was much louder during spin when the pump was under load.  The rubber impeller inside the pump had swollen so much that it was rubbing against the housing.  This was not only causing the noise, but more importantly created serious resistance and damaged the belt.  If your pump is developing that same issue, it might only be squeaking/squealing during spin currently, but will eventually do it all the time.

 

[best_intentions]

Glad I Posted Here

Thanks for your replies. I had not considered the belts being a possible source of the sound. As far as I can determine the squeak shows up right after the completion of the Wash phase and at the beginning of the Damp Dry final spin.

When the tub starts spinning it produces a high pitched squeak with the noise level diminishing as the spinning picks up speed. By the time it has reached full RPM for either of these phases the sound has disappeared. I just made the assumption that squeaking associated with the tub spinning was naturally a bearing noise. Any further opinions on this would be appreciated. Replacing the tub bearing is not beyond my abilities but why go off in the wrong direction only to find you still have the problem. Thanks.
John

 

[rp2813]

Take the front panel off and give things a listen when it goes into spin.   It should be pretty easy to determine if the pump is the source of the noise.  If it's not, I'll have to defer to the experts.

 

[washdaddy]

Does sound like you might have a belt issue. Just be sure if you decide to replace the belt yourself use a Maytag belt not some knockoff. I've heard that other people have had issues using knockoffs. And make sure you put the proper tension on the belt. That's key in the operation of the machine.

Check with the experts (i.e. Combo52) on what belt to get.

Good luck

 

[rp2813]

Belts

I feel the need to clarify something about Maytag replacement belts.   These are readily available through Whirlpool, but the drive belt (part # 211125) is not the same size as the original belts produced by Maytag before Whirlpool bought them out.

 

I recently purchased a set of Maytag belts made by Whirlpool/FSP for my A712.  The drive belt was thin and sunk into the pulley instead of filling the pulley's groove completely.   I wasn't happy with this, so I put the old drive belt back on since it had no signs of any real wear.  It's a knock-off "Power Flite" brand made in the Philippines, but is fabric coated, the same thickness as a genuine OEM belt and fits in the pulley like it's supposed to.   The washer runs flawlessly with this knock-off belt.

 

The Whirlpool-made pump belt (part # 211124) is an exact replacement.  The only reason I bought a drive belt was because I thought it would be best to replace both belts at the same time.  I'm keeping the new drive belt to use like a mini-spare, but doubt I'll ever need to.

 

Genuine OEM/NOS Maytag belts made in Newton, Iowa can be found on ebay if you prefer.  Just steer clear of the Whirlpool-made drive belts. 

 

[best_intentions]

Many Thanks

I really appreciate all the information posted in these replies. I will follow the advice by first pulling the front panel off and listening to see if I can pin-point the source of the sound. The more I read about this problem it is about a 70% chance that it is belt noise I am hearing. I'll try searching EBay for those genuine belts rp2813. If that does not work out I am considering ordering from an outfit called Repair Clinic. They seem to have a decent presence online but if anyone knows of problems with their parts or service feedback would be great.
John

 

[bendixmark]

Noise

I have on rare occasions had that noise be a defective brake package.

 

[super32]

rp2813

Your drive belt was smaller? Do you think maybe they accidentally packed 2 of the same belts? The pump belt is smaller (thin) than the drive belt. I did buy a set of WP (Maytag) belts about 3yrs ago for my A613 and they seem to be fine. I did have to adjust the pump tho.

 

[rp2813]

I'm sure the drive belt was the right size (length), and it was a bit wider than the pump belt.  They were both marked with the correct part numbers (suffix 25 for drive, 24 for pump).  It's the thickness of the drive belt that wasn't the same as OEM.  The Whirlpool belt left almost 1/8" of the pulley groove showing as opposed to the flush fit of a belt with OEM specs.

 

I wonder if Whirlpool has adopted a one size fits all approach, but I don't know if the direct drive machines use a belt that's not as thick as the pitman drive machines.

 

[hippiedoll]

Could the squeak...

Possibly be the damper pads need to be replaced?

My 806 would start squeaking/squealing at the beginning of the spin cycle too, but would stop when it reached full speed.

One of the damper pads was 1/2 way out from under the damper, another damper was totally gone & laying under the washer.
And that's why my 806 was squeaking/squealing.