Maytag vs Whirlpool Toploaders

[mixfinder]

What gets discarded

Over the years, I have looked at junk stores and repair shops to see what no one wanted. When I drive by any repair shop and survey the junkers in the yard, Kenmore outnumbers them all. I realize the plastic coupler is a weak link that disables many washers. I assume owners get rid of them before dealing with the "Sears from Hell" repair system. The Kenmore and Whirplool do a super job, I have a Sears unit that came with my condo> The sound of the clacking agitator makes me mental and it is going to be history in short order. There are quieter, equally dependable machines with easier access to parts and service than Sears.
Kelly

 

[agiflow]

My washer is in a basement, so the sound does not really bother me if i even notice it at all. Older Norges, now that was a machine that was incredibly noisy, but they washed well.

 

[panthera]

23 years

Pat,
I left in 83. I admit to strong opinions and deep prejudices. I love unimatics and am fascinated by the whole range of real Frigidaire washers. But am no great fan of the rollermatic series.
I think the modern Whirlpool ranges and microwaves (imported and rebadged) are outstanding examples of how to do things right. What they did to Bauknecht, however, is beyond description.
I still think my advice is good: If the only service close to you is for Whirlpool, then by all means buy one of their products -
I don't want to hijack this thread to say anything else on this topic. Tell you what, drop me an e-mail, I'll be happy to hear from you. We can discuss my irrational feelings (or maybe not so irr-).

 

[DADoES]

My grandmother had a Whirlpool Design 2000, the original Whirlpool release of the direct-drive design. She had it from about 1985 until 1999 (when I passed a 1991 KitchenAid on to her) and it never had any repairs, not even the coupler replaced. We sold it as a used machine, the buyer was thrilled to get it. I replaced the coupler in the KitchenAid in early 2004, which was the first and only repair it has had, but it now is an extra machine we have and has not been used since late-summer 2004.

 

[bajaespuma]

That digital GE dryer is a spiffy looking thing. I have to admit they sound solid when you slam their doors, just like a European car. From the look of them, they are the direct heirs of the GE dryer line--no outsourced parts. CU (if anyone cares) has consistently high rated them.

The washers piss me off so much I won't even look at them. It still infuriates me that they just threw away 50 years of industrial design to sell out to Sears. F--k Jack Welch and his group of ass-kissers.

 

[cvillewasherbo]

ge dryer

i have that ge dryer shown up above--for one year this month. i've had one warranty repair--it got very noisy and squealing. i wasn't home when the repair was made but my mom said the repairman said that the factory had forgotten to put the bearings in? i love the dryer--it's quiet and fast. i especially like the ss interior and the light. it's also large, kinda hard to reach in for one sock at the very back. i would buy it again, but not a ge washer. there is a film clip somewhere on this forum of a ge tl'er in action. i saw no rollover whatsoever. rollover is important to me.

 

[tomturbomatic]

Kelly's Clacking

Kelly, there is a thrust washer under the auger part of the agitator and there are little dogs that make it rachet. Either or both of these might need replacing. I have a KA next to the TOL washer from the early 90s and have not had anything go wrong yet. It does not get used as much as it did when new, but it still works without the drive coupler replacement.

In some cases where the coupler breaks, John has found that the motor is not aligned with the tranny and is hanging slightly downward. He thinks that if the machine is handled roughly or dropped, the motor slightly bends the mounting bracket leading to coupler failure. He realigns the motor and then puts on the commercial drive coupler which is not the black, smooth compound one, but one that is almost light gray with tire cord running through it. It is very durable, but if the motor is aligned with the tranny, the coupler is not stressed in a way that leads to premature failure. Granted, it is a shame that frame on which the motor is mounted is only marginal when it comes to ability to support the motors if the machine is dropped, especially the heavier 3 speed ones used in KAs, but once that problem is taken care of, the coupler is not as weak a link as it can be.

The main reason that so many Kenmores & Whirlpools wind up in junk piles and appliance rebuilder yards is that so many are sold and they are so simple to rebuild. But people who liked the belt drive machines usually dislike the direct drive machines and vice-versa

 

[mixfinder]

Clackity Clack

When the plastic dogs on the agitator fail, the agitator stops racheting and the clackity clackity, stops.

Heavenly, like the scene in the Birds, when they withdraw and it is quiet.

The downside is, with out the corkscrew function you're back to a BOL straight vane with no roll over.

The clackity clack is a result of PROPER function.

I have sister in law with a Kenmore Elite and it was becoming so loud she was afraid to use it. One day it didn't wash and she called me to ask what to do.

They live in a remote location in Eastern washington and service techs can't afford the trip.

I told my brother to get a coupler and change it out.

Under inspection the coupler was fine, but the screws holding the motor had worked loose and one had sheared off. The motor was hanging by a thread.

He bought beefier (he's my brother, what would you expect!) screws, drilled out the broken one and merrily she washed awayed at the previous, normal annoying noise level.

Twice since then the noise has returned and my brother has had to retighten the motor.

I used Maytags for so many years I grew accustomed to quiet elegance.

Even my newer Norgetag Atlantis was quiet. It had a lighter breathy sound than the 806.

Kelly

 

[monkeyward40]

maytag vs whirlpool

i myself prefer my frigidaire toploading washer with indexing tub that aids in the washing action. It has supreme capacity, slower longer strokes so no shredding, and it is heavy duty enough to handle a double bed comforter by itself. And it is a belt drive for a 2006 model. but the only drawback is since it does not have a clutch or brake it has to have a a locking lid and that sucks on the loading and unloading of the washer.

 

[mixfinder]

Locking Intelligence

Isn't it uncanny how that lid lock switch knows how much you want in and still says no!
You can end the cycle, unplug it, change cycles and nothing, nope, nadda, not gettin in!
The ultimate masochist.

Did you hear about the sadist who said to the masochist, "Beat me, Beat me." and the masochist says, "Hell, no!"

Kelly

 

[tomturbomatic]

Al you used to have to do is hold the switch down with a screwdriver or something similar and the lock will slide over it and you can watch to your heart's delight. At least that's what I used to do with SQ washers at the coin-op when we took rugs there.

 

[mixfinder]

Getting in

It was after it had a already locked and I trying to get to the next load, or add something or just watch, because I wanted to. I made you wait and you got in on it's terms.
Kelly

 

[norgeman]

What washer brand to buy.

Agiflow I couldn't agree with you more about the Norges. They washed well but were very noisy but I wish I had my Montgomery Wards/Norge washer back as It was the best washer me and my wife ever owned. Since they are no longer only bits and pieces of things used in the new Maytags before the merger/with whirlpool. But let's get down to what I would buy for my next washer and that is Frigidaire or White-Westinghouse in a top loader or front loader. My Dad in Texas has a Frigidaire and has had it for 4 years now and has not had any problems with it at all. Also they have the best pricing of any body. You should be able to get a washer top loader top of the line for around $450. Plus they have a 3/4 hp motor and steel gears in the transmission, also are rated at 20lbs. capacity or somewhere theres about and has great rollover action. Even their front loaders are priced fairly reasonably, somewhere in the range of $649-800. And their front loaders are really good. But it is up to you and what you can aford. Bye for now. P.S. Happy hunting, Norgeman.

 

[awooff]

Mom bought a new top of the line stainless Top load maytag about 4 years ago, MAYTAG ACTUALLY REFUNDED THE EXTENDED WARANTY, stating they would not service her machine anymore.

I cant remember exactly the very first problem with it, all i remember was the motor was replaced and then the next service tech discovered that the timer was actually faulty rather than the motor.

For the last couple of years the machine will wash a few loads then will just stop by itself for a while, evidently for the motor to cool off or something.

also, mom says the machine becomes unballanced with almost every load and walks away from the wall.

I told her to get a whirlpool originally, but she said she wanted the best, "a maytag"

well now im trying to talk them in to getting an older maytag "dependable" line from a used appliance store.

 

[mixfinder]

Timer

I am removed from my Maytags, since they currently reside with my exwife.
I have not paid much attention to service issues with Maytag.

I do know, the timers on the TL Atlantis series, where being replaced in 2002.

The machine would stop, wait and then wiggle again after a rest.

Two of my friends bought new Atlantis, on my recommendation. I is not happy, the other is.

I bought my Maytag at a local dealer.

I ran into the dealer in the grocery store. He told me to give his repairman a call.

Maytag was replacing all the timers, in the series.

One day, Dan, stopped by, replaced the timer and left with a bag of homemade cookies.

I personally love the machine and it's performance.

In the late 90's Sunbeam had cheapened all the materials used in manufacturing the self lowering toaster. It simply would not stay in specs when it warmed and cooled. The metal parts were too tinny. One of the greatest toasters ever engineered was forced to endure a humiliating demise.

Perhaps that's whats up with the Maytag.

Your mom has lots of options, through the channels of customer service. Perhaps Whirlpool will be more concerned with brand reputaion and willing to revisit your mom's washer.

I hope she got a refund of her premiums paid on the extended warrantee. That piece of the story may be what gets her some monetary relief if Maytag admitted the machine was not worth being warranted.

Our state has a lemon law that includes many items that are sold with a warrantee. Perhaps that is another option.

Even if the Norgetag is puking junk, there are 1,000s of them out there washing. It's only wires and gears so it should be able to make it run.

Kelly