Neptune bearing replacement instructions? HELP NEEDED!!

[norgechef]

I recently had delivered a 2002 Maytag Neptune MAH6500 on Kijiji (Canadian eBay/Craigslist) for $150 that was described as ''excellent working condition''. I hooked it up and turned it on to find out the door boot seal had several spots that were torn and leaking like a siv, and, the tub bearing is starting to get loud. Needless to say the seller will have a rude awakening on his voicemail for tomorrow morning.

I see videos on youtube that show how to replace the bearings and it seems like a relatively easy repair on some, but a lot of people change out the bearings differently, using different methods, tools, etc.

Which is the best (and easiest) way to replace the bearings and seal and what parts do I need? Part numbers would be appreciated. I think I can figure out how to replace the boot seal on my own but not the bearings. I have only ever replaced bearings on a top load washer which was much different than this. I have never worked on a front loader period. Ever.

Also, considering the money I already spent (unless I can get the $150 back) is it even feasible to do this repair? My Atlantis that was going to go out to the garage can easily be put back into its old spot and work flawlessly for another 5-10 years. The only reason I bought the Neptune is because I have the matching dryer.

 

[lorainfurniture]

I just did a video

Here is the video, I have a link for the entire kit in the description

 

[norgechef]

Nevermind

The seller called me back and is going to come pick up the washer tomorrow and refund me the $150. Last time I buy a used appliance. Every time its something. And they always describe them as ''works excellent'' or something along those lines. Not even one of my norgetags was in ''excellent'' working condition even when described as such. Given the repairs were mostly simple, but still. It is VERY rare to find used appliances that match the description from the seller.

My Atlantis may not spin as fast and may not have all the electronics, which are just sensing bs features anyway, but it is much simpler and I am much more familiar with it anyway. If anything goes wrong, I know what it is and how to fix it. I don't know why more people don't collect norgetag machines?

They have a failure rate similar to (or lower than) the Neptune washers but yet everybody likes to point out how horrible they are. I have had 3 or 4 including the one I have no and have never had any major issues. The transmission design is revolutionary, and surprisingly durable under most circumstances. Not one of my norgetags have needed a bearing repair, and the parts setup is so simple.

Even simpler than the Dependable Care machines made during the same time period. Understandably, amanatag models are scorned by many for bearing problems, but its not all that common with the norgetag machines.

 

[norgechef]

@Lorrainfurniture

Thank you, that video is very informative. If he had refunded me the money and let me keep the machine I would have probably done the repairs, but I'm not all that fond of the design in the first place. Besides, I already have a Kenmore HE5T front loader that holds much more and cleans better than my previous Neptune.

 

[good-shepherd]

they always describe them as ''works excellent'&

You have to remember people, (especially Craigslist sellers) have vastly different standards and definitions of the words; "excellent" "very good condition" "works well" etc.

I was over a friends house this weekend installing a dryer that had been in their garage a few months. It was splattered with cement from when they had a sump pump installed.

When I mentioned it they were like: "oh really, we didn't notice" even thought it was plain to see and they had walked past it a hundred times.

Had they been selling it on Craigslist they probably would have described it as excellent condition...

 

[norgechef]

So, as it turns out, I ended up keeping it, and...

The noise is not coming from the bearing. After I removed the belt, I noticed the noise was coming from the motor. It still moves freely, and sounds normal during any other cycle, but once it reaches high speed spin, the noise is quite loud. Not something I have heard before, and it doesn't sound like bad bearings at all. No roar from the center of the tub. It sounds like it is coming from the center of the tub while it is spinning, but with the belt off, the tub and motor pulley both rotate freely, and the tub bearing is not making any noise.

I have the washer completely apart now, and am about to buy a used boot seal and just replace that, but any reason why it would be making this noise other than the bearing? Because I am 99% sure it is not that. The motor sounds a little noisy just by turning it by hand, but like I said, the sound is not apparent until it reaches full speed spin. When it starts spinning, even at 600 RPM there is no noise.

Is it possible the motor could be the problem? and if so, is there a way to possibly safely lubricate the bearings without replacing the whole thing? Or is it safe to use even though its making this noise? I'd expect the motor to be quite expensive and I am not about to replace it and have the bearings fail within another year or two and have to take the whole thing apart again. This is sounding like a money pit to me and although the disassembly was quite easy, its not something I feel like doing on a routine basis. What do you guys think?

Replace the door seal and deal with the noise, or junk it?

 

[dartman]

You might as well wait for answers and do some research now that you have it apart anyways. I have the Kenmore 28102 top loader he machine I bought new in like 14 and the tub bearings are shot already. I bought the shaft and bearings kit and the tool and just don't feel like tearing it down as it still works but sounds horrible when it spins. You're already most of the way there so make sure it isn't something cheap and easy to fix with it all apart, good luck.