Need help on a Whirlpool DD

[stuftrock1]

I’m trying to work on a 30 year old Whirlpool Direct Drive model LST6132A. The inner tub is fused to the drive block and no matter what I do I cannot get it off. I got the nut off but the tub is stuck. I tried everything I can think of. Poured hot water on it, soaked it in hot water with vinegar for a few days (which started to rust on the last day, didn’t think of that), half a can of WD-40, and even tried some 3 in 1 motor oil. Nothing seems to loosen it up. Nothing seems to be working. I need to get this tub out to work on it. Any suggestions y’all have would be much appreciated.

 

[stan]

Well

This is taking a risk to you and the machine..but I once got a chair and stepped into the tub and did sort of a hula dance to break it free.
It’s certainly not advisable to do this especially if ur a heavy guy. And if ur not.. u got to be careful not to fall out when it breaks free. I was working in a garage with rafters that I tied a rope to so I’d have something to hang onto when it let go.
Like I said its absolutely not advisable..it’s just what I did.

 

[DADoES]

 
I don't recall exactly how long ... surely at least a week, possibly two+ ... of soaking with PB B'laster (yes, there's as apostrope in the name) to loosen the basket on mom's KA DD that had never been disassembled after probably 22 years.  I pushed/pulled on it every couple/few days, sprayed it a little more (doesn't require a lot) until one day it loosened.

 

[combo52]

Stuck wash basket on a direct drive whirlpool built washer

These can be very challenging to remove. It is a common problem, but we always manage to get them out.

Standing in the tub is not a good solution on a direct drive machine, this works beautifully on a belt drive machine as the suspension is completely different and is a very effective way to get them loose on a belt drive machine.

You can try one of these three things that usually works, you can put the washer in spin. If it still runs with about a 5 pound weight, a big, heavy towel in it, let it spin the vibration might break the tub loose put the lock ring back on a little bit, but don’t tighten it,

You can try heating the top of the basket and the aluminum drive block with a torch until it smokes and then try breaking it loose.

I usually screw the lock ring back on a couple turns and then get somebody to help lift up on the tub and take a sledgehammer and pound down on the lock ring , this usually destroys the lock ring, and the basket drive block, but it almost always gets the tub loose pretty easily.

John

 

[blockeight88]

Stuck tub

I think there is some really good advice in this thread. On my 1994 Kenmore, I had fully disassembled the machine and ran into this issue. What I did was turn the tub and base upside down and then stuck the back of a hammer handle into the tub opening and knocked it loose with a hammer. Of course, I planned replaced the tub support & tub afterwards, so I'm not sure if this would result in any damage, but it sure worked.

Good luck.

 

[stuftrock1]

Update

Thank y’all for all the advice here. Been a busy weekend so I’ve only had time to try a few of the things suggested here. I tried standing in the tub and rocking it back and fourth as violently as I could (I’m not big, only ~130ish lbs), and I put a big heavy towel in it and put it on spin. Nothing worked.

I bought this washer for the purpose of reselling, and since it’s a BOL model I’d rather not have to break anything that isn’t already broken. It is evident this washer has been used just about every single day since it was bought brand new in May 1994 and has never once been disassembled or cleaned. Mechanically, it works great, but I have never seen a more disgusting machine in my life.

 

[blockeight88]

Gross washer

Could you post some pictures?

 

[DADoES]

 
Mom's KA was a 1994 model.

 

[stuftrock1]

Pictures

 

[blockeight88]

Disgusting. Looks like it was subject to a lot of cold water washes + fabric softener over the years. They probably used bargain liquid detergent too. Anyway, you can try and take a long scrub brush in between the wash basket and outer tub. This method is a little time consuming but is still worth a shot. I’m sure it will smell better afterwards.

Thanks for sharing pictures.

 

[DADoES]

 
That's no worse than several I've seen.  Keep working on it, I'd bet it'll eventually loosen.  We want to see the exterior of the basket and full interior of the tub. 

 

[stan]

I guess

you could try putting the nut back on loosely, fill with hot water put two heavy towels in it.. or something heavier than 5 lbs and babysit it while it goes a through a wash/spin cycle, just before it goes into spin, stop it and deliberately move the two towels to one side so it will be off balance when it spins, then see if it brakes free on its own. If not try loosing tub while its still warm?
I’ve had good luck cleaning these by filling with hot water and 2 cups of washing soda, letting that soak 30 min then letting it go through normal cycle.
Seems to break the slime free
Better if u can get the tub out and really clean good, but ..

 

[stuftrock1]

Another update

Finally got the tub loose!! I just lightly rocked the tub back and forth and discovered it had loosened a little bit, so after pulling a little more it finally came out. Will post pictures tomorrow. Tub looks really good though, little to no rust. Outer tub is pretty filthy though.

Quick question. Can I use oven cleaner on that plastic outer tub? I used it to clean a Maytag A512 and it worked wonders. Really hope I can also use it on this. God knows it needs it.

 

[whitewhiskers]

cleaning outer tub

The plastic outer tub cleans up real nice using a nylon kitchen spatula. The gunk will mostly flake and scrape off. If you must use something, try some orange all purpose spray or simply green spray. The water spout could use a good cleaning also. Cleans up real nice with a scrub brush under a faucet.

 

[stuftrock1]

Pictures of the separated tub

As promised, here are some pictures of the tubs after I removed it. Not exactly sure how to clean that plastic filter on the inner tub or even how to remove it.

 

[blockeight88]

Lint filter

Nice job. You can disregard the lint filter. It's not needed. The washer will drain faster. Hopefully your tub isn't rusted out.

 

[DADoES]

 
There may be a spring ring-clip which secures the filter's anchor tabs that fit into holes in the basket neck.  Access the clip from beneath, it can be tricky to release.  You can break the filter to get it off if you don't intend to clean/reuse it.

 

[stan]

I wouldn’t use oven cleaner

As suggested, a plastic spatula or a plastic putty knife to scrape off sides of outer tub.
Can be used on bottom of tub as well.
Then pick up what falls or vacuum out.
On the outside of the inner tub..I’d use a SOS pad and the garden hose. And maybe some Barkeepers Freind on center hole with a bottle brush. (Helps with rust) and rinse well.
Good job!