Maytag Epic inner tub movement/play

[dnastrau]

Greetings:

I recently noticed that our 2007 Maytag Epic 9700 (Whirlpool Duet clone) has a bit of play in the inner tub if I push it up at the top (and it isn't suspension movement). I can feel just a slight bit of play. Is this typical?

My first thought was that the tub bearings were going out but I don't see any signs of leakage around the drive pulley (at least with what I could see using a digital camera - not much room back there - see photo).

Is it possible that the inner tub-to-spider connections are loose? Is the spider connected to the inner tub with screws/bolts on one of these?  The machine is performing just fine with no funny noises, etc.

 

Thanks for any thoughts on this.

 

Andrew S.

 

[lorainfurniture]

There should be no more than a mm of play, give or take. Does the washer make any abnormal noise during the cycle?

The blots never get loose. Usually the spider breaks, or get a crack in it.

 

[combo52]

If the main pulley is not coming loose and you are not getting any unusual noises ignore it, I have also never seen the spider come loose from the basket.

 

[dnastrau]

Thanks for the replies Eugene and John

No unusual noises during spin but very occasoinally I can hear a brief squeak (sounds like rubber) when the tub is turning slowly during agitation.  I chalked that up to the rubber seal on the tub bearing making noise against the rotating spider shaft.  I noticed that at least a year ago and it hasn't gotten worse.  Overall, performance and noise is the same as it was back in 2007.  I will just ignore it if nothing changes.  It has been a very reliable machine for us with the only maintenance having been to clean the pump trap a few times and to soak the water inlet screens in CLR once in awhile.

 

Andrew S.