Maytag LAT2500AAE, can I cheat?

[kalanikaau1]

I've diagnosed a no-agitate condition on this top load washer as the Delrin agitator shaft collar having been broken or disintegrated.

Is it possible to "cheat" in partially disassembling the machine to replace this collar without having to remove the washtub?

The machine is 24 years old, the tub has never been removed for any reason, I'm almost certain that the retaining nut for the tub is practically "welded" in place from calcification, additionally the tub seal will need to be replaced.

The machine will be tossed if the tub needs to be removed.

The part is shown as item # 16 in the attached image.

 

[qsd-dan]

No disassembly necessary on the orbital transmission. The smaller gear may have worn out and is no longer meshing with the larger orbital gear. This is a common wear point after racking up a bunch of miles.

Remove the front panel and lay the machine on its back. Spin the transmission around by turning the transmission pulley clockwise until the cover it pointing straight up and even. Remove the transmission cover and follow the video below. The oil should be low enough not to require draining it.

 

[qsd-dan]

Sorry, I read too fast and noticed it's the wrong collar. There's no collar like that in the older transmissions.

I'd pop off the trans cover check it operation. Usually that upper shaft gets seized up if the stem seal leaks too long. Sometimes popping in a new shaft works if the sleeve bearings aren't gulled up too bad. Usually a transmission replacement is necessary as the sleeve bearings were never available for replacement. If the trans pulley rotates in the counterclockwise direction easily, the shaft/sleeve bearings are probably alright and it's something else.

 

[kalanikaau1]

reply #2

Thanks for your response, attached is a video which is leading me to believe the retainer has disintegrated, the agitator setscrew is secure on the agitator shaft.

At 0.07 you'll notice the entire agitator "pooch" up, however agitation is ok through the rest of the video.

Recently, however the machine has not been agitating at all, despite hearing the drive motor running.

If replacing the collar involves removing the wash drum (which involves replacing the tub seal), I'll either scrap or sell the machine as is for parts.

 

[qsd-dan]

All of the internal moving parts can be replaced in this transmission without removing the tub or transmission itself. You'll have to remove the transmission cover with the machine on its back and see what the problem is.

If you're able to fix it, I would still consider replacing the stem and boot seal. When this leaks, it takes out the upper agitator shaft (which can be replaced) and sleeve bearings, which cannot be replaced.

 

[kalanikaau1]

Reply# 4

Thanks again,

It's all a matter of economics, I already have a restored Speed Queen in service to replace the Maytag.

I'll remove the transmission cover to check the condition of the oil, if it is indeed contaminated I'm scrapping the machine.

It won't be cost effective for me to invest parts and my time into a machine which I could sell for $300 max, not to mention other items which may need attention once I remove the inner tub.

I bought this ultra reliable machine new in Jan. 2000, to date the only repair I've had to do was to replace the lid switch, perhaps 10 years ago.

Everything else on it is original...