need advice on removing a Vari-Flex agitator

[Jimmy85302]

I removed the bolt under the cap, gave a mighty heave and the outer part of the Vari-Flex agitator, the part with the adjustable fins, came off. But the inner part of the agitator is stubborn. I've tried whacking it with a mallet and I have yanked with every bit of strength I have, but all it will do is rise about 1/16th of an inch and then stop, like it's hitting something that's stopping it. Is there a clip or catch or pin or something else I need to remove before it will pull all the way up? It's my grandmother's washer, she bought it new in 1971 and she's pretty sure she never had the agitator removed before. She loves that machine so much and I don't want to break it while trying to fix it, but it's leaking water and I need to get that agitator out to find that leak.

Thanks for any help.

 

[pulsator]

I used to have a machine with one...

I can't remember for sure but I don't think there is any other kind of bolt, pin, or clip holding it in... What I ended up doing was sealing the bolt hole on top temporarily (I think I used a thick plastic baggy and duct tape) and then poured boiling water over the top of the agitator where the spline is. That softened the plastic a bit and caused it to expand enough that I was able to get it off (with a bit of force) and then I clean the spline and applied petroleum jelly to it to keep the agitator from getting stuck again.

 

[bendixmark]

removal

Disconnect the hot hose and let it pour over the agitator spline for a few minutes and then give it a good pull.That almost never fails.

 

[bajaespuma]

Jimmy,

 

Go to Pulsator's 11/20/2006 post #168804 for more details

 

[Jimmy85302]

I've tried boiling water, hot water, and even a 2X4 rope trick I found at another site, nothing worked. I could see rust right to the top of the bolt hole, I am going to try some kind of rust buster when I see her again on Thanksgiving.

Pulsator's thread is a terrific guide. Now I can see exactly what I'm up against.

Thanks for all the suggestions I really appreciate it.