My 1985 Maytag A712 Extra Capacity Washer Rebuilt

[scrubflex]

I brought my 712 back in 2010, the only repairs or replacement needed was new brake assembly and radial ball bearing. Everything worked pretty good up to this point. But, out of normal use and wear she began to break down...the radial ball bearing seized all functioning and the seals gave way to corrosion and began to leak terribly. Absolutely intimidated by the thought and necessity of taking apart my Maytag but it had to be done.

 

[scrubflex]

the cause of the leakage...destroyed tub bearing seal

 

[scrubflex]

time to take her apart...first disconnect the water inlet injector...than loosen tub top cover clamp screws...needed to use a little WD-40...after removing the clamp carefully keep the rubber gasket in position (measure to the bottom edge from gasket and above towards upper edge)...spacing needs to be correct for reinstalling the cover properly

 

[scrubflex]

the tub nut was completely frozen and refused to give in...soaked it with WD-40 and Liquid Wrench 3 to 4 days...still would not budge...decided to buy a rotary metal cutter

 

[scrubflex]

...learned that this is the best Liquid Wrench Rust Penetrating Oil Spray

 

[eurekastar]

That is a fairly straightforward repair...just be patient! 

 

[scrubflex]

...decided to buy a rotary metal cutter, ordered it but, was damaged during the shipping and handling process---(isn't that weird)...was advised by one of the BEST person in the world Drew (redcarpetdrew) to cut it off...I brought a 5 pc. set of Cold Chisels

 

[scrubflex]

my FIRST TIME repair eurekastar...it'd taken supernatural patience and assistance from above

 

[eurekastar]

The good news is that there is a lot of help here and on youtube!

 

[combo52]

Removing a stuck basket mounting lock ring

The cold chisel you have is all you need, two blows with a hammer and it comes right off.

A new lock ring comes with the seal and mounting stem kit.

 

[redcarpetdrew]

I KNEW you could do it!

I am humbled that you reached out for help and that my advice helped you. Like I reminded you. As you post your story of the washer that seemed bound and determined to not wash again, you stuck with it. You didn’t lose faith and tackled everything it threw at you like a 30 year vet of the field! Can’t wait to see the rest of the pics and the video of your born again 712.

RCD

 

[lowefficiency]

>> ...after removing the clamp carefully keep the rubber gasket in position (measure to the bottom edge from
>> gasket and above towards upper edge)...spacing needs to be correct for reinstalling the cover properly

You might be better off following the Maytag or Repair-Master procedures for setting the top cover spacing when reinstalling. The reason being, when taking apart an old used appliance, you don't necessarily know for sure that whoever had it apart before you re-assembled it correctly. Measuring and duplicating that flawed work propagates (and sometimes exacerbates) any errors they might have made.

The actual procedure for tub top cover alignment is pretty simple - either setting measured wood blocks on the top of the basket and pushing the top cover down on them to achieve a uniform spacing between the inner basket and the bottom of the tub top cover, or reinstalling the top of the machine cabinet and adjusting the top tub cover up or down to have the prescribed uniform clearance against the underside of the top cabinet opening. Either way gets you to the same result, and after doing it, is relatively painless.

Good luck!

 

[potatochips]

Ahh the 712. Makes me want to take mine out and use it as a daily driver. Damn Neptune is too good to give up for a while.

 

[scrubflex]

Lol, RCD I am truly forever indebted to you and completely humble because of your kindness, patience and like I said before "magical words of encouragement" that help me complete this task step-by-step...let's be clear guys my 712 fought against me "supernaturally" (lghh) and RCD was "heaven sent"...more pics are coming and reborn startup videos as well.

My tub nut needed a lot more to break it loose Combo52...carefully started digging into it with the 5/32" center puncher...cut deeper with the 1/2" cold chisel and broke it free using the 3/4" heavy duty cold chisel

Thanks LowEfficiency, I have a Maytag Repair Master but, didn't think of using it...also used YouTube Maytag washer repair videos that demonstrated the removal and reinstalling the tub covers...once I decided how much space clearance I'd used (3/16") between the underside of the top cabinet cover opening and tub top cover, I manually adjusted it (tub cover tub) until perfect then tighten the clamps

It's cool that you have a 712 as a choice potatochips...it's there at your leisure

 

[scrubflex]

Finally was able to remove the inner washtub...I used multiple cleansing products to clean the parts as I remove them...also used rust-fighting products to address the rusting areas as I go

 

[statomatic]

WD40 is a waste of time & money !

WD40 that helps removing a blocked nut is some kind of legend, if it really worked you didn't had to break it.
I've stopped using such thing five years ago, since then I've never broke any nut, bolt, screw... just need a longer wrench for more force, heating/freezing helps a lot too a it breaks the rust.

 

[scrubflex]

Now it was time to take out the mounting stem...removing the screw was not a problem but to no avail, it ABSOLUTELY DENIED me any attempt to loosen it...saturated it with WD-40 and Liquid Wrench for several days (worked on it only on the weekends) too tired after getting home from work...the 712 repair had already been taken too long because I needed to order additional parts and tools for the washer repairs... did not want reorder and wait for a rotary metal cutter so used the chisels...making sure to be super careful I started chiseling away using the same method and tools I used to remove the tub nut...the stem was so tough it broken off in parts...upper area first

 

[scrubflex]

Wheww, that was tough, now cutting thru the stem skirt...ahh, it's done what a relief

 

[scrubflex]

Removed outer tub, cleaned inside and out thoroughly, Brillo scrubbed and sanded all rusted areas of the tub...including the tub cover...used clamp position markings

 

[scrubflex]

the tub bearing seal dropped down the transmission shaft post

 

[scrubflex]

outer tub sleeve bearing...

 

[scrubflex]

...even the sleeve bearing refused to cooperate...the chisel was called again to assist in the removal...piece by piece

 

[scrubflex]

[No message]

 

[eurekastar]

Progress!  And the wash basket and outer tub both look great!  I just about lost my Jesus reinstalling the outer tub.  It's not too easy for someone with big hands and arms.

 

[scrubflex]

cleaned up inside the cabinet...scrapped off detergent residue grit from leakage on the transmission shaft post...and cleaned up the transmission, shaft and post...pulled it out to install the damper pads

 

[scrubflex]

I used the electrical utility box method to remove the suspension centering springs...you move the tub away from the spring (opposite direction) to stretch it and insert the utility boxes...once in place, pull the tub forward into the spring which will loosen it...then disconnect them from the damper legs one by one
...was pretty lucky where as to not needing to scrap away damper pad remnants...the pads completely dissipated...the damper base (extension) surface was smooth
...used Brillo, Totally AWESOME Grill Oven Cleaner & Degreaser and Lysol POWER Foam cleaner to take care of the hint of glue that remained...lghh, nothing left on the damper base surface...wiped dry, applied adhesive and damper pads...allowed to sit for 12 hours or so...then lubed the pads

 

[combo52]

Great Progress

Yes old washers can be fun to take apart, overall the washers tubs etc look to be in pretty good shape, Have you located a replacement transmission yet, the agitator shaft is far too rusted for a long lasting repair in the water seal area.

 

There are still orbital transmissions around and then you can upgrade the washing and rinsing performance by using a Load-Sensor agitator and if you further upgrade by using a 50 cycle motor pulley and belts you will have a pretty decent performing washer.

 

Thanks for all the great step by step pictures of your rebuild this helps others save their vintage machines.

 

John L.

 

 

[scrubflex]

I could imagine eurekastar, I had some tight squeeze moments also...what drove me bonkers was the disconnecting and reinstalling the air dome tube...the clamp...I'd replace it with a screw clamp, easier to handle in such a closed in area

Thanks and no problem John L., fortunately, they are in pretty good shape for their age...no I haven't found a replacement...BTW, I'll post a couple of videos using my LoadSensor and a BobLoad
...what would be fantastic is if I found a '50 cycle motor pulley and belts' setup, the "54 OPM intermediate & pitman gears" to interchange with a 63 OPM transmission replacement to upgrade to a faster 756 RPM spin and a 67-68 OPM agitation speed...the 54 OPM transmission is too tall to use with the deep tub 712 washer

I also want to thank Dan (qsd_dan) and Robert (unimatic1140) for their incredible expertise, helpful knowledge and guidance as well...THESE GUYS ARE AWESOME!!!

 

[scrubflex]

I made a mistake and reconnected the damper leg frame and centering springs before I setup the outer tub...the springs were pulling on the legs which cause a wider spaced gap between the outer tub bolt and leg frame openings (holes)...they weren't aligned when I tried to reinstall the bolts

 

[scrubflex]

So I removed the centering springs, placed the transmission in position to reattach the brake assembly and new radial ball bearing...but, first I greased up the transmission shaft post and tub bearing sleeve with WHITE LITHIUM GREASE for easier accommodation
...place the new bearing into the brake assembly, apply a little WLG to the damper threaded area (not the threads) then install the brake
...make sure to add some WLG also to the Brake Rotor...it's extra, but will provide smoother operations