Maytag E2L wringer help

[lostmillenial]

I'm new here and new to wringer washers and I'm looking for some help. My wife and I have been using this old maytag for a couple months with no issue. Recently it's been binding up when we throw power to it and upon closer inspection I see why but don't understand how to resolve the issue. Just above the shaft there is a clyndrical rod about the size of my index finger that pushes out against the belt and pulley causing it to stop turning. When I spin the shaft by hand, this rod will come out of the gear box and also retract (to a certain point) and it's motion is directly correlated with my turning the shaft. What is the cylindrical rod I'm refer to? What is its purpose? How can I fix this?

There is also some play in the shaft. It moves atleast 1/4 inch into and out of the gear box. Not sure if this is related.

The pictures show the belt pulley and the rod in referring to just on the outer limit of the pulley.
Thanks to anyone who can help.

 

[bradross]

Maytag? Need more details and pics...

I have worked on 3 different models of Maytag wringer washers and have never seen this mechanism before. This may sound like a silly question -but are you sure it's a Maytag?

If you provide more details as to the model type and perhaps a photo of the entire machine, it would be helpful. Then hopefully somebody - perhaps myself - can help you with some advice.

 

[bradross]

On second glance...

I see that it appears to be the shaft for the rack inside the gear box. As you can see from the attached photo (taken from an earlier discussion here), the shaft is supposed to be flush with the sides of the power unit housing.

According to my manual, the rack shaft is tapered and can only be driven out one way. Apparently, the one on your machine has worked itself loose. The shaft can only be driven out from the end where the thrust bearing is located (that's the round cover with the raised "X" on it.)

There are a few member who have experience taking apart this type of power unit, but from what I can decipher, the pulley will have to be removed so you can tap the rack shaft back into place, flush with the housing.

Hope that helps!

 

[lostmillenial]

Thanks a bunch. I figured this was the case but I had no idea what I'd be hammering on while driving it back in. I got it in flush with the pulley side of the housing after taking the pulley off. On the opposite side it is recessed somewhat into the hole on the housing. It's running for now and the wife is happy. What does this rod do? I really appreciate the help. We are some 100 miles off the grid in a cabin for the winter. Thank god for satellite internet. Thanks

 

[bradross]

Rack shaft...

holds the rack in place and allows it to slide back and forth to activate the pinion gear, which drives the agitator shaft.