Maytag Test

[mrb627]

I have been working on fine tuning my Maytag washer and found something peculiar. I would like for someone with a Maytag to repeat this test and respond with your results.

With the front of the cabinet removed and an empty wash tub, start the machine in the final spin cycle.

When the tub reaches spin speed, grasp both sides of the outer wash tub with your hands and gently shake the tub front to back only about 1/2 inch. See if you feel a shift in the center of gravity of the inner basket.

On my machine, I can feel some play of the inner workings of the tub. It is as if the tub bearing and seal has some play in it. Now, the tub is not leaking and shows no sign that it has leaked in the past, but the play in the basket seems to cause concern and there is some additional noise brought on by this vibration.

I have worked on Maytags in the past but don't recall ever running into this type of behavior before. Is it normal?

I also learned that a motor to pump belt that is too tight is usually the cause for lazy agitation because it does not allow the motor carriage to extend far enough to keep tension on the main belt.

 

[yogitunes]

Malcolm......if you want to boost agitation from sluggish movements, you can add a third spring...I do this on all of mine...reduces slippage.....a quick test for this is to place a 2 X 4 board between the motor and the suspension spring, and with your foot push the board to add tension to the belt, and see how much faster the agitation becomes!!!

 

[scrubflex]

you can add a third spring...

Hey Yogi, I'm glad you responded, where do you place the added spring. I see where the two springs are installed. Do you have some pictures?

 

[mrb627]

Extra Spring

I may add an extra spring eventually. But I think I need to replace the bearing and tub seal before I can make additional enhancements. Truthfully, releasing some of the tension on the pump belt has eliminated the lazy agitation and the noise level went down a bit too.

 

[qsd-dan]

Check the brace bolts (you can only check the lower bolts as the tub to brace bolts aren't accessible) as they occasionally come loose overtime. I was actually foolin around with the HA806 this afternoon and found 3 of the 6 lower bolts to be loose.

 

[mrb627]

Bolts

Thanks Dan.

I will inspect the bolts before I order the bearing and seals.

 

[yogitunes]

Harry

most of the motor plates have the slots for 3 springs, if not just attach spring to top of motor mount and to the base, just keep to the side out of the way of the shaft.....

have to run right now, but will get some pics as soon as I get back, easy to install and remove....

 

[scrubflex]

to the top of motor mount...to the base...

Alright Yogi, talk to you when you get back. Seeing the pictures will help it make more sense.

 

[mrb627]

Parts Ordered

I was able to determine this evening that the fault is the bearing and tub seal. The parts have been ordered. I'll be doing a bearing job weekend after next.

Luckily, the machine still operates until then....

Malcolm

 

[yogitunes]

heres the motor with only 2 springs, and the extra slot for the 3rd

 

[yogitunes]

this is a pic from the back side of the motor

 

[yogitunes]

attach spring to motor side and using needle nose pliers, pull the spring thru and attach to the base.....

 

[yogitunes]

and complete....3 springs attached

 

[gadgetgary]

I have been told

To take one spring and attach it to the frame to improve agitation. Did that on my HA 806 and it works like a charm.

 

[scrubflex]

Beautiful!!!

That's awesome Yogi, thanks alot for taking the time to do this.

So GadgetGary, is that one spring attached to the motor base and motor side then the other spring ONLY to the frame?

 

[gadgetgary]

One spring attached as normal

And the other attached to the frame

 

[scrubflex]

What would happen if both springs are attached to the frame?

 

[gadgetgary]

What would happen if both springs are attached to the frame?

Have no idea

 

[autowasherfreak]

To take one spring and attach it to the frame to improve agi

I did this on my 806, quite in improvement on wash speed.

 

[scrubflex]

quite an improvement on wash speed

Have you ever counted the "oscillations per minute" (agitating stroke) after the motor spring change?

Did it enhance the spin speed as well?

Can you make a video of the improvement on the wash speed?

 

[mrb627]

Maytag Pictures

I thought I would post a couple of pix of the set I acquired last weekend. I have done a lot of cleanup work and some minor repairs and both machines are functional. There are a couple more enhancements to be made, but that will come later on.

Malcolm

 

[mrb627]

Second Pic

Second picture of my set in their current home.

 

[yogitunes]

Matched sets are so nice....beautiful

 

[mrb627]

And the Price

And the price was right! Just need to eliminate the annoying cabinet rattle of the dryer. The hardest thing in the world to track down is a rattle in your dryer.

Malcolm

 

[qsd-dan]

Hey....those turned out very nice!

....and remember, control panels, as well as any other parts, are easily swappable from other machines if you feel the need to upgrade!

 

[toploader55]

Great Set

I think I have the Exact Same Set.

These pop up around here in New England about once a month.

Congratulations. I love mine. Good Luck with Them. Eddie

 

[mrb627]

Toploader55

Your set, at least your washer, appear(s) to be further up the model chain than mine.

It's amazing how these machines clean up well after 20 years.

All that is left to do on mine is 1) track down that annoying rattle in the dryer, 2) bearing and tub seals on the washer (not leaking, just wanna do it), 3) new fill hoses for the washer (these look original).

Malcolm

 

[toploader55]

Hi Malcolm

I picked up this set for $60.00 from a Summer Home. They only saw about 4 months a year of use. The Dryer needs to have the Blower Wheel replaced, and the Washer is Fine. Although I would like to do the "Big Gun" maintenence just so they'll be running after I'm gone. Eddie

 

[mrb627]

Wobble discovered

Well, I figured out why the Maytag washer tub wobbles. The set screw in the tub mounting stem has worn a groove all the way around the perimeter of the top of the gearcase. I replaced the stem, bearing, and boot seal and it wobbles more than ever and leaks a bit now. I'll have to drag it back to the garage for a further teardown to determine if I should repair or part out this machine.

If I decide to part out this machine, I'll be off to purchase a Speed Queen set as an Xmas present to myself.



Malcolm