Maytag Power-fin agitator lock screw doesn't work

[scrubflex]

My 712 Power-fin lock screw doesn't work anymore. It does not tighten and lock the screw in place any longer. It slides up and down the shaft...doesn't come off ...but, because it's not in place it jerks as it agitates and is off-center. Do I need to replace it?

 

[combo52]

Loose MT Power-Finn Agitator

The lock screw is only to keep the agitator from flying off durning the spin cycle and causing possible injury.

 

If the agitator has much back and forth play it should be replaced, MT agitators do wear out, I just threw one out last week that was quite worn.

 

John L.

 

[scrubflex]

Hi John L, as I tighten the screw, it just turns...in the rinse as the it fills, the agitator floats and I have to push it down

 

[qsd-dan]

The screw was probably over tightened and stripped out the hole.

You can purchase and install a stop ring and it'll prevent the agitator from floating off of the upper trans shaft. You'll have to plug the screw hole off with a quality epoxy and check it on a regular basis to make sure it remains completely sealed.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Maytag-Wri...917278?hash=item3da64aae9e:g:xA0AAOSw2EReP2xN

 

[scrubflex]

Aeyyy Dan, good idea...so I really don't have to buy another...

 

[qsd-dan]

You should be good

 

[scrubflex]

Thanks guys

 

[scrubflex]

What's considered a quality epoxy qsd-dan?

 

[qsd-dan]

Original JB Weld is a good product.

 

[scrubflex]

I was looking at that...thanks

 

[scrubflex]

DaveRepair suggests and advise people to lube the stop ring and agitator shaft preventing future agitator/shaft freezing...what do you think about it Dan and or guys?

 

[qsd-dan]

Good advice. I remove the agitator every new years day on my daily driver 806 and apply petroleum jelly to the stop ring and agitator shaft. I also replace the water filter in my fridge on this day.

 

[scrubflex]

Okay great...my thought was the "lube" would seep into the water and bother the laundry
...another question while I have you, my 712 was making clank/banging noise recently when spinning heavy or off balanced loads

...discovered that the washtub is elevated HIGHER and LEANING towards the left side of the outer tub creating the noise.

What could have cause this to happen because it was spinning fine for months after the rebuild

 

[qsd-dan]

Use a very thin layer of Vaseline/Petroleum Jelly and it won't transfer to the washtub.

It sounds like the inner tub got thrown off center. Although this is a rare occurrence, I just helped another member with this same issue about a month and a half ago.

Remove the front panel and check all 3 suspension springs, hold down bolts and (underneath the base plate) nuts. Verify nothing is broken or excessively loose. If this checks out, you'll have to remove the top tub cover and confirm the inner tub is centered to the outer tub. Here's the thread:

https://www.automaticwasher.org/cgi-bin/TD/TD-VIEWTHREAD.cgi?83064

 

[scrubflex]

Okay so the washtub shifted off center because I did not tighten it enough...(just wanted to make sure I didn't over-do-it)...this is my issue!...thanks a million Dan...I'll keep you posted

 

[scrubflex]

Have the parts but the screw will not come out being that the hole is stripped out...any ideas how to remove it?

 

[eronie]

Easy Out.

 

[scrubflex]

I was able to loosen the screw

 

[scrubflex]

It's done guys!!! Dan thanks for your tutorial, so cool...I was fortunate that I didn't have to un/re-screw and re-centering several times. I just rechecked and centered the tub the best EYE could SEE...then used two sandpaper sponges and some thick blankets I stuck between the inner and outer tub to keep it from moving...as I gradually tightened the nut...spun check the tub and tightened it a little more...lastly, I let it spin the full cycle and re-tightened it. I made sure I did not over-do-it, but did a better job tightening the nut this time. Now I'm allowing the epoxy the dry and harden so I can install my stop-ring for the Power-fin

 

[qsd-dan]

Good deal. You should be good to go once the epoxy fully cures.