My new Maytag A407

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A lesson to be learned now...

I think its important to get something out of the way now.

This is why people are reluctant to help someone who is not familiar with a couple of things>>

 

1. Follow Directions

2. ..."Oh I forgot that it..."

 

Kindly put, not to make anyone feel bad...but its so important to a tech, either over the Interweb, or in person, get your shit straight before you go flailing around with problems.

That bit about the slow agitation is critical in this Long-Distance Free Advice.

 

I'll go out on the limb now, and say its the sludge in the tranny that used to be a lubricant.

And that brake is off, no movement at All of a Maytag is tolerable.

 

I have to now take a break...its time the throw some garments and run a few hundred gallons of water to wash a weeks worth.

Time, for me, to have that Marlboro in the right hand, a little Mary Jane in the left, and sit back and watch the washers....

 

Good Luck,

We are still hereto help,

LaVidaBoem

smiley-innocent.gif


Edited:

Post Script:

Are you familiar with the normal working of a Maytag...you sure you aren't stuck on low speed only??

That old girl may have just gone loosey-goosey on you...might be time for an overhaul.

[this post was last edited: 12/13/2015-13:50]
 
Spot On>>Goat Farmer...

Yes indeed, don't forget as I do, every time on one these old girls...not as common as the inside motor/speed queen iteration, but a sock or washcloth will throw over a Maytag...

 

Take that tub top off and look>>

 

Good Luck

LaVidaBoem
 
Finally !!

I wasnt going to let this get the best of me today because Im the type of person that 1- doesnt buy cheap il-designed garbage, and 2- if I own it, its in perfect working order. I went downstairs and ran a large load of water through a full cycle. Pump wasnt really doing much and the drain sound didnt have the authority it should, the machine on the rinse cycle would just barely start to come up to speed when the spin cycle was over and it would have to stop and begin its second fill. I did two empty loads like this and the second was even worse. The tub wouldnt even completly empty at all and the drain sound was barely a trickle. I flipped the machine back and popped the belts off and peeked under and noticed the trans pulley had a film of oil on it from all the years. Not serious but what I call a sweat leak over many years. I was careful to notice the kitchen floor of the house we removed it from all those years because if it left spots on the floor I wasnt going to take it. There were none. So I looked in the pulley sheave and although it looked clean when I ran my fingers through it I did get slippery fingers. I took some LA's Awesome and cleaned all the sheaves and belts off of any oil whatsoever then reasssembled and tried again. A little better but it wasnt pumping the water out like it should. The motor slides were smooth and not binding in any way. My last resort was tipping the machine back again and doing another pump ajustment as it seems insanely loose. I loosened the three screws and slid it to its farthest point. Slightly tightened the one closest to the motor then stuffed the motor back to tighten the trans belt. The pump didnt move at all and the belt still had less than the 1/4" play. Long story short I had to leave the pump at its farthest point to get the adjustment. If I needed any more I wasnt getting it lets just say that. And these are factory FSP belts to boot. Set the machine back on the floor and even levelled it better than it was before because it was 1/2" too far back. Now it works perfect. Im thinking it was a combo of the two but more the pump belt adjustment because it couldnt evacuate the tub fast enough. What an ordeal! But feeling accomplished. I also think the moving tub issue was the slipping trans belt because it doesnt do it now and agitates like it means it along with pumping like Engine 51.

re: workings of a Maytag. Nope. Im a small engine guy that also restores antique powered mowers and old diesel Mercedes. I play with vintage fans, Edisons, Monitor Tops etc but not washers or driers. Thirty years ago when I was a kid I helped the old guy around the corner in his appliance repair biz so went out on calls on these but pretty much forgot it all over the years although its slowly coming back. He was a smart old German and also collected the machines. I remember an Easy copper tub wringer, Locomotive, two tub Westinghouse, L-4-48 Westinghouse, WD something or other Westinghouse, and his mint 1958 Westinghouse W1000 and D1000 set in dark grey. The washer needed an escapement that was discontinued and he found a NOS one a fellow repairman had for $100.00 but was too cheap to buy it. He was a Westinghouse guy for sure and even had metal Westinghouse kitchen cabinets! There still may be some in the basement of his old house.

Anyway many thanks for all the replies and advice I really appreciate the help. Lets hope this is the last of it for a while so I can enjoy it. :)
 
Very Very Good...

Hello,

You see, I bet all three of us >>Goat>>Combo52 and I just gloss over them leaking trans...

Never saw one that didn't have at least one drop.

 

Anyway, all of us here probably would have degreased the old girl, and just took for granted it just can't be that!

Nothing wrong with using spray carb cleaner, and  compressed air to dry a Maytag. Even the motorbase/glides.

Then grease what you want...

We all were scratching our heads and other parts,...cause we know its that simple,...a Maytag won't spin till it gets rid of that water...and any drag, is usually all that'left.

 

We are very happy for you...and you taught everybody not to forget the obvious.

 

Happy Maytagin'

LaVidaBoem
 
Well I learned a lot from all the advice given and would still be scratching my head had I not already joined here a few weeks prior to finding this machine simply by a chance convo with a friend. I did consider the carb spray at first but the fumes would have had my upstairs neighbor running down in a panic. I get that LA's Awesome at the dollar store and its the best degreaser Ive ever used and if you get any on your hands it doesnt sting. I highly reccomend it. In fact in the next week or so when I get time Im going to remove the front again and wipe clean as much of the bottom and insides of it with some rags after I spray it down. It should clean up nicely. Maybe a new thread with before and after pics. As much as I like this machine Im still saddened of that mint 1962 A101 I had to sell when I moved 10 years ago. It was a cream puff and silent as a whisper when it ran.
 
A new symptom.

Well all was going good the past few loads with the washer and all of a sudden its aquired a new glitch. It seems when its halfway through its first spin cycle before it goes into rinse mode the machine simply shuts off. If I push the timer knob in then back out it goes on it merry way through the rest of the wash cycle. I dont even have to turn the timer just a quick one two of the knob does it. Im thinking timer now?? Is this a good time to say yikes!?
 
Great find!! We bought one new in 1970

Identical to our family washer I washed many loads in ours. replaced in the 2001.
In 1972 I bought the matching dryer for my mom. Her old dryer shocked me every time I touched it. Geeze No one else just me. So with my first pay check we got a new dryer.
 
Timer>>Robbin

Hello, as Combo52 states, that is your problem.

 

Now with that said, yes, you can open them up.

What you will find is that as the timer is approaching a new detent, the points for that position are burned, corroded, or just gone.

You are advancing it just slightly for it to continue to feed the timer circuit, even though you are just stopping/restarting the machine.

Very typical on Whirlpool/Kenmore dryers with age on them.

I have fixed many although it is more time consuming than it is probably worth.

 

Hope this Helps,

LaVidaBoem
 
spring replacement

1975 806 unit here. Had similar problem with it being slow to agitate. Took off one the springs, went to Ace hardware, found a very similar replacement spring. Reinstalled the original spring, and added the new spring also. I installed the third spring in the middle of the plate. Problems with agitation completely ended for $2.50 spent. Miy tub also indexed too, but I understand that is caused by a problem with the brake assembly being shot. (haven't got around to replacing that yet.) Still, it washes pretty good, even with the tub indexing somewhat. Good luck. Les.
 
I found a timer online for $127.00 plus Im getting a motor spring kit also. This should finally take care of this beast but at least I know what I have which is better than todays garbage. Hopefully the timer is a direct fit. Again, I cant thank you guys enough you've all been awesome. I will deff keep you updated on my progress. John.
 
As luck would have it I found a new one for $115.00 ( Cheapest online price I could find) and a motor sping and slide kit for $28.00. Wish I checked here first on my comp when I got home instead of a fast Google phone search at my shop. Oh well. Should be here in about a week. Heres hoping.
 
Hi guys. While doing clothes today I noticed when its spinning there was a knocking noise coming from the tub. I took the agitator off and noticed the upper seal is starting to leak a small amount trans fluid. Im not getting any spotting on the clothes though. How hard is this to change and should I replace the bearing also as is has some play? Why am I getting the feeling Im going to end up over hauling this beast?!?
 
How Much?

Hello,

 

How much play, side to side or end play?

 

How much fluid?

 

Did you mean that the knocking is coming from the "play" you speak of??,

If so, yes maybe time for a tranny...If anyone has a new one on ebay...they are usually cheap.

I have a few in stock...

 

The tub removal & seals, and spin tube sleeve are not that hard "here", just depends on how much corrosion is under those seals as you tear down to the  outer tub.

Some, I have had to grind off tub nuts, sleeves on the transmission. etc.

But you know...when you do a few...they just seem ordinary.

 

Its not uncommon to find a tub anchor bolt working loose...will make a heck of a knock.

(The ones the springs hook onto from bottom to top)

 

All will have a little fluid, but if its side play...no seal can stretch but so much.

The action of the agitator causes water to be pulled down, and pushed out from under the agitator.

It might not show up on clothes if using hotter washes, plenty of detergent.

 

Let us know a little more...but I have a reason that you got it for 50 bucks to begin with is becoming apparent.

 

LaVidaBoem

 

 
 
I know, you may be spot on with that assesment of price. Right now Im in a holding pattern until the timer and motor slides and springs come in but I plan on removing the motor and spit shining the slide area clean then greasing and reinstalling the motor with new slides and springs plus the timer as the trans belt is still slipping. The tub indexes which means a tired brake assy I guess. Its also still slowing to a crawl on the rinse cycle when its spinning even if I turn the water valve off so it can spin the rinse water from the load it never comes back up to speed just spins about 1/4 as fast as it should. I just put it in spin with a dry tub and I can hear a "hiss " which is telling me the radial tub bearing is tired and should be replaced which isnt hard if I had the spanner to remove the brake unit which I would also replace. The knocking I think may be the spin tube sleeve which again doesnt look hard but I havent the spanners. Another symptom I have is when its on its first wash cycle and I push the button from "Normal" to "delicate" it stops agitating. "Permanent press" makes no change at all, it just seems to agitate at normal speed. Im hoping someone here in CT will chime in that has the spanners I could borrow for a fee because I would replace all that needs replacing and be good for many years with this thing. As it is I cant trust it to run through a complete cycle like it should.
I did take a pic of the top of the trans with the agitator off but for some insane reason when I try to upload them half the pics on my folder dont even show up to down load through the site. Do I have to change the format? I hope this hasnt gotten too long winded but Im trying to give as much info as possible. Maybe if I can remember my youtube password I will try and download a video. Thanks again. John.
 
I hear you...

Just a note...the spanner wrench is dirt cheap off EPray.

Note too, that an entire trans is only about a bill, and that covers a bunch.

 

Good Luck,

LaVidaBoem

 

Post Script: Picture format now?

Use IrView (IrFan View) to quickly do it pic editing...its the bomb.

http://www.irfanview.com/
 
Hey there>>Long stroke for me...

I am sure those orbit jobs do fine, have some here in the collection.

 

But I prefer hands down the long stroke.

But I like the long stroke even better with a dual action agitator, even if you can't close the lid!

 

Good Luck,

LaVidaBoem
 
Well I'll keep my eyes open on Ebay I guess. I may buy a brake assy and radial tub bearing and try to tackle it with what tools I have here. Can the upper trans bearing/seal assy be replaced? I would give that a shot too.
 
Yes,

The seals can be serviced...just remember if the play you spoke of is too great, ie.,stretching the seal too much...it'll leak anyway.

Must replace bushings/bearings to kill any play.

 

I got my books today from the fellow member, haven't had time to open yet...I wanted to be able to put some pages up for all, just have to learn how to do that, and have time.

 

I'll see if later I can send you the ones on the upper part/neck of the tranny.

 

LaVidaBoem
 
Wrong timer

Got the timer today and they goofed. Sent me a #204899 for $115.00 so I called and will ship it back for refund, not to mention it was used in an open bag when they stated new. Used your Ebay link and got the #204889 for half that. I will use the saved cash towards a brake unit and radial bearing?!? Many thanks again.
 
Well, Hot 'Dern It...

I can't stand things like that...

I do well on EPray, but I will tell you, it happens to all of us.

 

I have bought 3 dishwasher racks for my Kenmore Ultrawash with the part # from Sears crossed over, and got 3 different ones over the last so many months...finally bit the bullet and got a top that will work...still using one of the bottoms that I took the rollers off to make work...

So, I know the frustration too.

 

I got scanner/printer problems...don't know, haven't had time to see what's wrong.

Anyway, I have you about 5 to 6 pages, that I don't know any other way than to copy them on the office one, and mail them too you...no charge, just as the other fellow member did for me.

 

Email me here, and I'll be glad to send these out, you may not get them until Wednesday or Thursday of next week...

 

Hope this Helps,

LaVidaBoem
 
Thanks for the advice on those. Im just wondering on the brake assy as the tub is indexing while the wash is agitating. What would cause that? I wonder if its the tub bushing that could be making noise and not the radial bearing? I have a funny feeling if I cant replace the top transmission seal and bushing that its going to need a trans. It left a brown spot on two towels last load. Im really wishing I didnt buy this and waited for a better one but it was from a trusted friend.
 
More investigating today

I removed the agitator today and saw what appeared to be a brown encrusted mess. The oil leak didn't look as bad as before and I wiggled the shaft looking for play and didn't notice any at all. Looks like a snap ring and washer to replace the seal so I'm going to try to source a part number online. I did wire brush the corroded locking ring clean. It will need a good soaking in Kroil before trying to remove it. I did rock the tub side to side and there is a definite knock to it. Gonna need that tub bearing I'm thinking its that bad. I may as well change both bearings, bushing and top seal as well as clean and replace motor slides and springs which those will happen Sun then the correct timer when it arrives. All that other stuff along with spanners I'm going to start acquiring then spend a few hours tearing this thing down. Let's see if these pics load this time.[this post was last edited: 12/26/2015-14:27]

robbinsandmyers-2015122613545200240_1.jpg

robbinsandmyers-2015122613545200240_2.png
 

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