Maytag DC Pump/Belt Change Question

[joefuss1984]

Hello All!

I am going to be replacing the pump and belts on my Maytag DC this weekend. The pump has started to squeal when using warm to hot water and previous attempts of using turbine oil has not helped. My questions would be:

1). Is it ok to lay the machine on its side to do the repair?

2). According to the service manual, the pump belt should be tensioned to where there is only 1/4” gap when pinching the belt together in the middle. Is this measured with the machine flat on all fours or tilted back or how am I supposed to sit the machine to adjust the tension? I’m thinking it will be hard to see when it is flat on all four feet.

Any other attempts before I start would be appreciated as well.

 

[yogitunes]

tilting the machine is probably your best bet, and the easiest....

usually I put a gallon paint can under the front, that's enough tilt to reach under with a socket/nut driver...

the motor only slides for the main drive belt....slide the pump to the right, as long as the motor does not pull, tension is usually good at that point...somewhat of a 'feel' for it proper tension...

would be a good time to clean/lube the rollers and maybe new springs as well...if possible, 2 new springs, and one old as a third...

 

[DADoES]

 
As I understand, the 1/4" gap when pinching the pump belt means 1/4" gap before the motor carriage begins to move against the springs.  The pump belt is too tight if the motor moves sooner than 1/4" gap.  Is that right?  Tilting the machine back appreciably-far causes the heavy motor to fall against the springs which makes judging the pinch a bit tricky.

 

[robbinsandmyers]

As has been mentioned for sure clean and lube or replace the rollers and springs. I made the mistake of buying square slides when my rollers fell apart but Ive since bought round rollers and will replace them when I get time. The big project is replacing the trans oil that looks like pre baked brownie mix Im sure.

 

[swestoyz]

The mistake of buying square slides

A mistake? The square glides are just as good as the round ones. Considering how many flattened round ones I've seen, they all eventually became square before crumbling, LOL.

Ben

 

[goatfarmer]

Never had a problem with the square slides, as long as they are lubricated.

 

[good-shepherd]

the mistake of buying square slides

My understanding is square glides replaced rollers to reduce the chances of the slide getting jammed by a foreign object.

The idea being square glides more likely to push the object out of the way rather than riding up and jamming.

 

[joefuss1984]

Motor Mount

Well, the pump may not have been the problem after all. I started to begin work and the first thing I noticed after removing the front panel was a leak. It seems the bleach dispenser hose has a small leak right where it connects on to the outer tub. The motor carriage/mount is pretty badly rusted. Of course at this point it is really in need of lubrication for the glides which is probably why it isn't pumping as well as it should.

I cannot see where this part is still available, would a wire brush be ok for cleaning up the rust on the mount?

 

[potatochips]

Hey Joe

Have you taken the bleach hose off? How does the port look? I hope its not too rusted. Show us a picture!

 

[goatfarmer]

Wire brush is fine.

 

[yogitunes]

wire whisk wheel mounted to a drill will make quick work of cleaning that up...

you could also try to locate a replacement motor mount/slide....

 

[good-shepherd]

motor carriage/mount is pretty badly rusted

Here is a nice used motor carriage with glides and springs on Ebay. (I'd offer $25 and well worth it in my opinion.)

https://www.ebay.com/itm/MAYTAG-Was...5999-214956-AP4023752-PS2017149-/202220387677

As for glide lube, Maytag Poly-lube is the best of course, but plumbing supply houses or small hardware stores like True Value should have silicone grease that works just as well.
I've also used Sil-glyde automotive brake grease.

Hopefully, the bleach hose stub can be clean up and painted.

 

[joefuss1984]

The port looks fine, the band fastener on it just needed tightened. When I had my parents with me for a while they would get confused and pour detergent down the bleach dispenser. I had cleaned it out once and must not have tightened it enough. I was kind of sad to see the mess around the motor and mount on the base know that it was my fault for not properly tightening the hose. I did inspect the damper area the best I could and they still look good. A little lubrication probably wouldn't hurt them.