My A806 Needs Help...

[tennblondie78]

Hi everyone, it's been a really long time since I've posted, and I apologize. Life has been extremely busy and I unfortunately haven't had time to do all of the things I like to do!

However, my precious 1976 Maytag A806 has developed a problem. It will fill, spin and drain like a champ, but it will not agitate. When it tries to agitate, the motor hums and there's a faint burning rubber smell. I changed the belts first on a hope and a prayer since that's quick and easy, but I knew it wouldn't fix it. The motor glides back and forth as it should. I will note that I can turn the pulley in both directions from underneath, but it is much harder to turn in the agitate direction.

I have a feeling it may be the transmission. What do you guys think? If so, should I stay with the helical trans it has or convert it to the orbital?

I've missed everyone!

 

[combo52]

Non Agitating 1976 MT A806

Hi, The top agitator shaft in the transmission has probably sized in its bearings.

 

Time for a big tear-down and another transmission, you can put another pitman trans in or up-grade to an orbital and a load sensor agitator.

 

You will also want to install a new center seal assembly and check and at least lubricate the damper pads.

 

The top transmission shaft sizing or the damper pads failing are the two most frequent reasons that we are hauling out MT DC washers.

 

Last month we hauled out an A606, A407, A712 and an A485, all two tried to rebuild.

 

John L.

 

[tennblondie78]

Thanks for the quick response, John!

I was banking on a big tear down, so I'm fine with that. It gives me an excuse to do some other maintenance on it as well. I'll upgrade to the orbital transmission with the load sensor agitator. Would you be so kind as to give me part numbers so I make sure I'm getting the correct trans and agitator?

 

[bendixmark]

Motor

You say the motor is humming.Is it running or just humming? If it is just humming give it a kick with your foot and see if it takes off.

 

[lorainfurniture]

You can rebuild

The trans isn’t broken, like john said the upper shaft is beginning to seize. It’s really not super difficult, just very tedious. It’s very rewarding when done and your good for another 40 years.

 

[tennblondie78]

The motor runs; hum wasn’t the right word to use.

I’m not afraid of a tedious job; I love the reward afterward!

 

[swestoyz]

Welcome back!

There are a handful of posts in the archives on doing a full transmission rebuild. Study up, grab a Maytag service manual and tools, and spend a weekend going through your beloved Maytag.

They always sound better when we rebuild them ourselves. You’ve got this -

Ben