Maytag Wringer Washer E2LS - Oh no! I think I broke it!

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Manyhats

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Sep 13, 2025
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I was using my Maytag wringer washer (E2LS) yesterday and I had too thick of a piece going thru the wringer. Instead of turning it to run it backwards (It has a foot pedal safety actuator that I hate using) I pushed the release and the thing popped up. It's now like gapping open and I can't get the reset handle to close it. WHAT did I do?!? Anyone have an suggestions? 20251104_072151.jpg
 
I think you need to turn the white handle on top of the wringer to get the rolls to tighten down again. If that doesn’t work try lifting up the top of the wringer an inch and letting it gently drop back down, that may get it seated properly again, then retighten it by turning the white bar on top of the wringer.

My Mom bought a new Maytag ELSP in ‘69, the first year of the safety foot actuator and the dealer told Mom that most customers hated it and that he could disable it before delivery if she liked. All he did was unscrew the actuator tube from the back leg and plug the hole with a stove bolt that fit the hole by screwing it into the hole. Voila, the wringer worked just like the older models without the safety actuator.

Hope that you can get your wringer rolls back together.

HTH,
Eddie
 
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I think you need to turn the white handle on top of the wringer to get the rolls to tighten down again. If that doesn’t work try lifting up the top of the wringer an inch and letting it gently drop back down, that may get it seated properly again, then retighten it by turning the white bar on top of the wringer.

My Mom bought a new Maytag ELSP in ‘69, the first year of the safety foot actuator and the dealer told Mom that most customers hated it and that he could disable it before delivery if she liked. All he did was unscrew the actuator tube from the back leg and plug the hole with a stove bolt that fit the hole by screwing it into the hole. Voila, the wringer worked just like the older models without the safety actuator.

Hope that you can get your wringer rolls back together.

HTH,
Eddie

I tried doing both and couldn't get it to drop down. Had my husband try also, no luck!

Also I had heard you could plug the hole with a bolt and it will work without the safety actuator. I will have to find one and try that, I really hate that thing! LOL
 
I think you need to turn the white handle on top of the wringer to get the rolls to tighten down again. If that doesn’t work try lifting up the top of the wringer an inch and letting it gently drop back down, that may get it seated properly again, then retighten it by turning the white bar on top of the wringer.

My Mom bought a new Maytag ELSP in ‘69, the first year of the safety foot actuator and the dealer told Mom that most customers hated it and that he could disable it before delivery if she liked. All he did was unscrew the actuator tube from the back leg and plug the hole with a stove bolt that fit the hole by screwing it into the hole. Voila, the wringer worked just like the older models without the safety actuator.

Hope that you can get your wringer rolls back together.

HTH,
Eddie
Tried doing that, but it's still like it is in the photo. Maybe I'll try again tomorrow. Thought maybe something broke under there. Not exactly sure what's under the cap. I tried finding a youtube video that showed the inside of it so I know what I'm dealing with but couldn't find one that showed underneath the cap.
You discovered how to separate the rollers apart between wash days! Push and hold the turquoise bar in while turning the tension lever on top counter-clockwise. The wringer cap should drop in place. Happy wringing ...

You discovered how to separate the rollers apart between wash days! Push and hold the turquoise bar in while turning the tension lever on top counter-clockwise. The wringer cap should drop in place. Happy wringing ...
I tried it, but maybe I did it wrong... will try again tomorrow and let ya know!
 
Hopefully is not the case, but Amish Maytag WW repair service one uses related to one years ago common cause of damaged mangles on such washers was persons putting things far too thick through wringer.

Maytag did over engineer the heck out of their WWs including the mangle, but the device does have limits. That being said damage is rarely terminal, one simply took apart mangle and repaired/replaced damaged part. put unit back together and return unit to service. This and schooling owner and or user of machine about just what can and cannot be fed through wringer.
 
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