Maytag Wringer

Gather App
Automatic Washer - The world's coolest Washing Machines, Dryers and Dishwashers

Help Support AutomaticWasher.org:

pulsator

pulsator

Well-known member
Bronze Member
Joined
Jun 30, 2002
Messages
2,377
Location
Saint Joseph, MI
Okay, great news, my best friend bought me a Maytag Wringer at an auction, I am not supposed to get it "for a little while." But I did get a glimpse of it. She says that she doesn't know if it works but I can tell that it needs repair. The wringer itself is detached. Is this repairable? I would love to use this machine for towels soon at my moms. I also don't know the condition of the interior but the exterior... WOW! No rust, the chrome name plate looks great and all it needs is some scrubbing! I have no idea if the motor still works but is there one I can get to replace it? Are they still made? Do I need to know the model? HELP ME! I AM SO EXCITED! I HAVE ALWAYS WANTED A WRINGER!
 
Sounds like you don't need any help at all - wringers are usually pretty reliable and will work even after not being used for many years. The wringer head lifts off the machine to make moving easier so it will just slip right back onto it's shaft when you get it home. Congratulations, you will have lots of fun with it - but be careful!

Greg
 
You could really have fun if you have a gramma and let her use it. Then watch for her to get her tit cought in the wringer. This could be very fun. hahahahahaha.
(There is an old saying "I haven't had so much fun since gramma caught her tit in the wringer")
 
Thank You So Much!

Thank you for the information, I REALLY appreciate it. I also have a few more questions though.
1. What stroke does the agitator have? 90 degrees? 180 degrees?
2. Is it bad to use it often or are do you think it will be fine? I hope to use it as often as the other 2 machines we have.
3. Does anyone have video of this machine in action? I would love to hear how it sounds, that way I can compare it to mine and see if mine could use a little maintenance or not.
4. Are the agitators interchangable? Can I put a filter agitator in it? It would be awesome to all of the other agitators in action.
THANK YOU!
 
Thank You So Much!

Thank you for the information, I REALLY appreciate it. I also have a few more questions though.
1. What stroke does the agitator have? 90 degrees? 180 degrees?
2. Is it bad to use it often or are do you think it will be fine? I hope to use it as often as the other 2 machines we have.
3. Does anyone have video of this machine in action? I would love to hear how it sounds, that way I can compare it to mine and see if mine could use a little maintenance or not.
4. Are the agitators interchangable? Can I put a filter agitator in it? It would be awesome to all of the other agitators in action.
THANK YOU!
 
Congratulations on a Maytag wringer! Keep us posted, and watch the hands too!

My Maytag Dependable Care (automatic of course) has a short agitation arc; somebody remarked that it was 120 degrees in an old post. 90 degrees seems way too short, especially for a wringer!

Maytag did make a special filter-agitator for their wringer machines which would work in your washer if you can find one.
 
Jamie ...

Congrats on the Maytag wringer! Are the letters M A Y T A G spelled out in chrome? Is it a square machine? If so, then you have a Model E. This version of the Model E with chrome letters was built in the early to mid 1960's. Very nice machine.

Go to my link below to see some wringer photos. Picture #5 shows what a Model E looks like and #7 shows the 5 agitators and the colors that Maytag used on their "modern" (post 1939) wringer washers.

As far as using too often ... well ... they were built to last a lifetime! Don't overload!!!

Good luck ...

http://automaticwasher.org/cgi-bin/00ShowCollectionGETD.cgi?dir=/COLLECTIONS/GEOFFDELP/
 
The major things with maytag wringers of this vintage are:
1. The agitator shaft seal. Probably not a bad idea to replace it on general principal.
2. Leaking oil from the transmission input shaft seal. Seals should still be available but you may have to make a tool to install it.
3. Keep the agitator shaft lubed with petroleum jelly to prevent the agitator from freezing to the shaft.
4. Always separate wringer rolls when not in use to prevent them from sticking together.
 
My Maytag

Okay as far as I know, The green part on the Wringer itself is red, not green and I don't know about the agitator (I hope its green or a filter agitator!) But I am guessing that it is red or possibly black, the only style difference in this photo compared to mine is that mine has M A Y T A G in actual chrome letters, not printed onto the cabinet. So judging from what geoffdelp has said it is a model E built in the 60's. If anyone can provide a trade for whatever agitator I have for a green agitator or a black filter agitator, that would be great! But just how do you take the agitator out of the Maytag Wringers?

http://automaticwasher.org/cgi-bin/[email protected]&dir=/COLLECTIONS/GEOFFDELP/
 
The agitator is removed simply by grabbing the bottom and pulling straight up. Many times the agitator becomes coroded onto the shaft and can be a bear to romove. I have tried the "Agitamer" on these but had no luck. The Agitamer simply folded the plastic agitator up and eventually broke the $45 or so Agitamer. Agitamers work best on agitators that have the shaft splines on top. That's why they should be lubed with petroleum jelly. If it doesn't come out readily, try filling the tub with hot water. If you are lucky it will come out with much hard work. If the agitator comes off without the spline attached, The spline will have to come off too. Maybe use a gear puller on it. After romoval you will probably want to replace the O-ring that holds the agitator down.
 
As a sidenote, nearly every GE Filter-Flo I've looked at had an agitator that was "frozen." The manual says to "grab and pull up hard on the base of the agitator;" I've grabbed and pulled with no such luck. Last year I bought a water-powered Agitamer with some other tools but haven't had to use it yet; the machines I've had to look at either used impellers or had agitators that were mounted with set screws or bolts.
 
Some of the later model Maytag automatics had a set screw instead of a hold down O-ring but the wringer should be pull off. Sometimes the O-ring becomes hard from age and cause the agitator to come off hard.
 
Jamie ...

You're getting a lot of sound advise; cool!

Did you need an Owner's Manual? Repair manual? Many of these parts are still available; albeit expensive. I guess that's what is making them so collectable!

If these machines are maintained properly, they will last a long, long time. Care should always be taken not to overload and to be careful how items are placed through the wringer.

Your machine should have either the black agitator or the black lint filter agitator. You should have a red release bar, black agitator, chrome letters, and a chrome agitator start.

Do you know if it is a pump model or not? The one in my picture is a pump model; see the goosneck on the right hand side for placing over a sink? If it is a pump, it will also have the strainer under the agitator to catch small objects before they go into the pump and break the impellers.

The tub will be made from spun aluminum and is really hard to polish. The best way I know how to maintain these tubs, is to always use the softest water available and no harsh chemicals. Do all your bleaching prior. Don't use "boxed" water softeners either, they tend to dull. I use plain old, original scented Tide ... the best! :-)

If you want a manual, send me your address to: [email protected]; I think I have some extras, or can make copies! :-)

Always happy to share info with another Maytag enthusiast!!

Geoff
 
Great News!!!

I finally got my friend (Alisha) to look inside and she said that it has a turquoise agitator! YES!!! And I am getting the machine on friday! I will be able to answer most questions then. I hope to get it down stairs, and at least plug it in to see how she runs. Should I remove the agitator first? and check to see if it needs petroleum jelly? But, I don't think I will be plugging it in for a while yet. Alisha said that on the way home it leaked grease, oil or something and so I think thats a sign that it may need a new transmission seal. Is this a problem? (It was taken home on its side.) What should I do? Can anyone give me list of things to check all over the machine to make sure its okay to plug in and start? What should I buy? Will any stains result of the petroleum jelly? How should I apply the jelly? How often? How much? My guess is that it will be used at least once every week, or it could do all the for a whole week (around 5 hours worth with three washing machines.) It just all depends on how I am feeling. Once I get it restored and its humming dreamily away I will take out the video camera and make a movie for everyone to watch, but I need all the help I can get to help save this beauty. Is there anyone who can answer all of my questions? How many Maytag Wringer experts are there out there? Please help me! And THANK YOU anyone who does!
 
Congratulations! Can't wait to see pictures!

As for the leak, it *might* be the wringer head; wringers weren't meant to be transported on their sides and I've heard a few stories about the wringers leaking oil when tipped over; I'm not positive though. Also, if you apply Vaseline sparingly to the agitator shaft only, you won't have to worry about it getting in the wash. You just have to use a very small amount.

--Austin
 
I would ramove the agitator and put a gob on the splines. Just spread it so it has a coating. I think some people remove the agitator after washing to prevent the frozen agitator problem. When the machine is filled with water there remains an air pocket under the agitator so it shouldn't wash the lubricant out.

When we used to haul Maytag wringers we would lay them on the side with the agitate knob down, this keeps the oil from leaking out the air vent hole or leaking out the wringer drive hole, which is what probably happened. Before replacing the seal, clean up the oil so you can see where it leaked from. If the drive shaft seal is leaking it will show up there. Try to determin how much oil leaked out. If you need to add some, the easiest way is to turn machine upside down and remove the drive pulley and then the two bolts holding the drive worm gear and remove it. then fill with oil.
 
Thank you! I will try and do these things as soon as possible, but I have a few more questions. Whats the best way to get the machine downstairs? what the best way to transport it? If mine has the pump, (don't know yet) how is it activated? Also, I here what your saying but I am kind of foggy about it. What kind of oil? what kind vaseline or petroleum jelly? and whats a spline? I know nothing of wringers at all. Please help me! Do I need to buy a new O-ring for it? What does the O-ring do?Besides lubricant and oil is that all I should buy? Any info is appreciated!
 
Jamie ...

Remove the wringer head before you move it downstairs. As "fixerman" said, if you have to tip the machine, do so with the agitator control facing down; that will keep the oil from coming out of the breather hole on the right angle drive (ANOTHER new term!).

I have mailed you a repair, an Owner's, and a parts manual. I put them in the mail today, Tuesday, and I would think you would have them by Thursday/Friday at the latest. Should be just a couple of days from Minnesota to Michigan. I think you'll find these manuals to be a wealth of info to you. They will demonstrate the various controls on the machine, as well as tell you how to dismantle (if you wish), and any routine maintenance you should do.

The lubrication for the agitator shaft is just plain old Vaseline. A jar will last you forever. You don't cake it on the agitator shaft, but just give it a good coating. You'll get the hang of it!

These machines were built to last and last if they are well taken care of. Here's your chance ...

Geoff
 
Whats the best way to get the machine downstairs?

Two strong people , one holding the top and one on the bottom.

what the best way to transport it?

Stand up and held securely with straps or rope, or if you must lay it down make sure the drive post is on top.

If mine has the pump, (don't know yet) how is it activated?

A pump model has a lever on the bottom outside of the tub that moves the pump pulley into contact with the drive pulley. The pump models have a drain hose with a hook screwed to the end to hook over the drain tub or drain stand.

What kind of oil? what kind vaseline or petroleum jelly?

Actually it is graese. you should be able to buy it from appliance parts stores. You may want to ask for Maytag brand.
Part no. 056080

Vaseline is Vaseline. Ask your parents, They will know.

and whats a spline?

Splines are grooves cut into a shaft to prevent it from slipping when agitating.

Do I need to buy a new O-ring for it? What does the O-ring do?

It would be a good idea to replace it. Maytag part no. 015494. The O-ring holds the agitator down. If they go bad the agitators tend to come off when washing. There is a lip at the bottom of the agitator that slips over this O-ring.
 
maytag agitators

I took the time to look at geoffdelp's maytag wringer agitators and must tell you that you are missing one. I once had a model NX (gray skirt & wringer-speckled porc. tub) and it had a black bakelite agitator with no shaft sticking up-kinda like the washer version of a manx cat. It was really fun to watch this one, except when you washed sheets the whole sheet would get sucked down over the agitator.
 
MAYTAG WRINGER

IF YOU HAVE ANY TROUBLE WITH THE WRINGER, LET ME KNOW, I'VE WORKED ON A FEW FRON THE THIRTIES MODEL'S THRU 1980, SOME OF THE GEAR RATIO'S CHANGED BUT THEY'RE ALL PRETTY MUCH ALIKE, I HAVE MAYTAG WRINGERS FROM 1920'S GAS ENGINE, 1930'S GEAR SHIFT, 1946 SQUARE TUB,REMOVABLE LID, 1964 CHROME BEAUTY, 1978
ROUND TUB, 1983 SQUARE TUB LID ATTATCHED, W/WRINGER SAFETY PEDAL, GOOD LUCK AND HOPE IT ARRIVES SOON
KIM
 
Partscounterman ... you're right! I forgot about the NX agitator! A rare speciman, indeed. There was an NX for sale on Ebay a while ago that had that agitator. That would have been great to have. I had an NX once, but the agitator was the black bakelite with the shaft. I was never sure how efficient the agitators with no shafts were.
 

Similar threads

R
A Maytag wringer anomaly?
Replies
20
Views
1K
pstehle
P
S
Amana Wringer Washer
Replies
12
Views
1K
Skooter125
S
T
Maytag A107 repairs
Replies
7
Views
462
good-shepherd
G
P
Maytag washer P142 need help with lights
Replies
3
Views
361
Pink pony
P
K
Need 1948 kenmore help
Replies
0
Views
266
Kenmore1948
K

Latest posts

Sponsored
UnlistMe
Back
Top