Maytag washer clunking sound during agitation

[elksk]

maytag LAT9714AAE
well first off I want to say a big Hello! and a hug.
I thought I was crazy for keeping old things working. And I may be crazy but today I found there are others like me. I'm a mechanical engineer and I love old American design and build quality. I probably don't need to say anymore about that here.
I'm not sure how old this washer dryer set is. I think it moved here to Utah from Texas in 93' the washer has never needed a second of work. and we were a family of 4. The dryer has needed one new heater coil. But just last week the washer started to make a clunking noise during the agitator cycle. I have not ordered the wrenches yet to take it apart but by the sound of things it wont last long if we use it like this... no leaks and bearings feel tight. I'm leaning towards the yoke. I was searching for a new transmission as a backup and found this site. I did work on appliances for 6 months and I am loving the simplicity of these old machines. I do worry about parts availability. I am hopeful that someone here knows what this clunking means as the tranny oscillates a little back and forth. Only during the agitation cycle.
Thanks Randall

 

[repairguy]

Welcome! It sounds like the brake may be wearing a little as it is what holds everything stationary during agitation but it is not a major problem and it can run like that for years if that is the issue.

 

[qsd-dan]

If you can post a clip of it on YouTube or whatever site you prefer, we can greatly narrow down the possibilities.

 

Parts for these 90's machines are still widely available. You won't find specific parts, like timers, available through parts warehouses anymore but Ebay usually has a few on hand.

 

[woodjack99]

If you post a clip, I may be able to identify the issue. It definitely sounds like it could be the brake to me.

 

[elksk]

video



sorry for the delay.. took the wife fishing today... we got skunked. ice to sketchy but not much shoreline open.

 

[qsd-dan]

Yeah, it's the the transmission and brake package splines knocking away. It won't hurt anything but it'll get on your nerves after a while. I have gotten rid of that in the past by removing the brake package and applying boat trailer grease (extremely thick) to the transmission splines. Kind of a big job without the proper brake tool.

 

[elksk]

when I share my youtube post via email to myself then copy and go there it plays fine but when I copy the same link here I only hear the sound but the video is colored horizontal lines?? Maybe it works for you guys... the video just shows the planetary housing is moving like 1/2" back and forth.

 

[turbokinetic]

Video does work for me, but I had to modify the link. 

I don't have experience with your model machine but can help with the video LOL!

 

 

 

[elksk]

I don't see how grease on the splines can stop that much movement? what is the part needed to fix the real issue? Maybe the part needed is not available? I see the brake wrenches are hard to find.. maybe I could use the chisel method.. I'm pretty handy. Can I access all that's needed from the bottom?

 

[qsd-dan]

There might be a slight bit excessive wear on the splines in the brake package, which I believe is made from aluminum. There's always a bit of play in there though. It's not worth replacing the brake package unless the internal spring is weak and causing the tub to index during agitation.

 

I have used the boat trailer grease method on the splines of several different noisy pitman drive transmissions and have had 100% success rate with it. Can't explain the magic behind the fix, it just works.

 

[elksk]

boat trailer grease? is it made for the ball hitch? is that the same as bearing grease?

 

[bendixmark]

Knocking

The transmission is no good.I have seen this many times.

 

[good-shepherd]

maybe I could use the chisel method.

Another method is clamping onto the brake package with a vise grip then a blow to the vice grip with a hammer.

Maytag Brake Tool

Does anyone know where I can find a Maytag brake tool. How much should I spend on one? I saw a price of $35 which seemed kind of high to me. Does anyone have an extra to sell?

www.automaticwasher.org

 

[qsd-dan]

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boat trailer grease? is it made for the ball hitch? is that the same as bearing grease?

 

It's a special grease designed for the wheel bearings in boat trailers that can withstand being submerged in water. It's extremely thick. The container I have is from the 1980's so age has probably thickened it up a bit more.

 

Something to keep in mind is that the upper transmission shaft and sleeve bearings can start seizing up and put a significantly heavier load on the trans shaft/brake package splines and cause that knock. Remove the belts and turn the center transmission pulley counterclockwise. It should be easy to turn with one finger.

[this post was last edited: 4/8/2022-21:54]

 

[rp2813]

When my dad briefly owned an all original 1957 speed boat I remember him using thick -- like paste but slippery -- light blue marine-specific grease from a jar to pack the bearings for the trailer's wheels.   It makes sense to me that this type of grease could help in the way that Dan has described.

 

[combo52]

Maytag orbital transmission washer clunking in wash

It’s always hard to tell from a video, but I think there’s something wrong inside the transmission.

 

If the sound came on relatively quickly I think this is the more likely failure here.

 

Greasing the splines of the transmission where it goes into the brake it’s not a bad idea but it won’t make that kind of noise.

 

As for removing the brake package I find the brake removal tools Almost useless I threw [ recycled for scrap steel ] a bunch of them away a while ago and we’ve been cleaning up the shop and I now find that we have three more I guess I should sell them LOL.

 

They really don’t grip the brake assembly very well and you can easily injure yourself when they slip loose when you’re trying to use them.

 

Any decent mechanic with a little penetrating oil on the threads in with one blow of a hammer and a vice grips you can unscrew that brake assembly easily unless the machines been sitting in a foot of water for many years and then you probably won’t get it off at all.

 

John L

 

[elksk]

yes this sound came on quickly as in a few weeks I noticed it... it it quite loud even a floor below of course this is above our dining kitchen area. I think I will look at it this weekend and open the diff and look inside. hope I can use the gasket or oring and I can seal it up with silicon for engine gaskets. What oil does it take. I will check the ease of ocunterclockwise rotation of the Pully.
"transmission is no good" does this mean you think it is the ring gear that is not available or we are not able to fix this type of wear? and I need to buy an expensive used tranny if I can find one

 

[combo52]

Repairing a Maytag orbital washer transmission

One of the neat things about this machine is you can repair the transmission without removing it from the washer.

 

You lay it on its side you take the cover off while it is on the top, then you can rotate the transmission and drain the oil into a pan that you place below it.

 

Once it’s drained I would examine and see if you can figure out what is broken, or badly worn.

 

The oils not critical use 70 to 90 weight gear oil, if the oil looks good you can just strain it and put it back in if it’s not contaminated etc. or full of metal shavings or plastic bits.

 

The cover is just glued on with RTV silicone sealant there’s no gasket or O-ring.

 

John L.

 

[elksk]

today was nice and last semi warm day to get some outside chores done.. but next 3-4 days will be good for working inside. plan to open the transmission tomorrow