Changing the seal
Have done a couple of these in the last few months
Things you will want
Phillips and flat screw drivers
Metric spanners
Socket set with log extension (for agitator removal)
1.8kg mini sledge hammer
Length of thick metal pipe
Lithplex ep2 or similar grease
Engine oil (10w40) or similar
Wet and dry paper 600 grit and 1200 grit
40600459 seal kit
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These machines are getting on in age and things like seals are more likely to surface as things to replace
*** some operations are used with power - do only so if competent, the operation can be done without, but will take a lot longer (mainly shaft preparation for new seal)
Slide machine toward front a bit ~ 8 inches (this will help on top flip back) leave water and drain hoses on (will help cleaning tub if you decide to)
Remove front panel
Remove 2 10mm bolts that secure top assembly to front brace, then can tilt whole top assembly back to wall behind.
Unclip the 4 clips that hold tub top to main tub
Remove rinse dispenser from agitator and using socket set with long extension, unscrew bolt and remove agitator from drive shaft.
Now unbolt 2 stainless bolts that clamp the wash bowl to the outer drive shaft, use flat blade driver to remove wash bowl retainer bar (retainer bar is stainless aswell as the drive shafts and bolts) the wash bowl hub is alloy - over the years the electrolytic reaction can make the next step interesting (1)
Now to try bowl removal.... Back in the day at this point the bowl would easily come loose from the outer drive shaft and trickier ones often broke free after letting get to spin mode then stopping the spin cycle and the brake action vs inertia did the trick.
Now these are older you can try the brake trick or turn bowl clockwise to see if it breaks free from drive shaft.
If not use length of solid pipe and 1.8kg mini sledge hammer.... Apply firm blows evenly across the hub, once bead breaks rotate bowl clockwise whilst lifting.
Once bowl is lifted you can clean tub (if dirty) - I used spray and spin mode on gentle cycle with the tup top sitting in place and scrubbed build up off.... Water supply provides the rinse and the pump got rid of the crap. (This can be repeated till you're satisfied with tub) This helps water run off to be more quicker during spray and spin cycle, reducing chance of foaming build up in this cycle.
*** prep for new seal...........
As these machines have been going for years invariably they will be showing evidence of calcium build up and or electrolytic reactance from the water and whatever chemicals and the natural metallic interference.
All of that on the shaft is bad news for a new seal.... So to prep the shaft I use spray and spin mode (again) though this time on normal cycle, using the 600 grit wet and dry, lightly apply the paper around the shaft after wetting it - this is where having it running is advantageous.
Even shaft coverage is key, once it is free from the mess, finish up with the wet 1200 grit lightly, this will ensure no seal failure upon installation. Also make removal of old parts easier.
Dry up around seal area
Remove old seal assembly - top lid, retainer main seal.
Take care with outer drive shaft and tub surfaces... Use a moderate flat blade mid seal surface and pry it up
Then check shaft surface, using wet and dry paper carefully clean remaining shaft - pack rags on lower side to protect bush from debris....once satisfied, remove rags....
Then place new felt on top of bush... Apply engine oil to this (these are a porous bush and will soak up oil so don't be too stingy with it)
Apply lithplex or similar to inner seal AND outer drive shaft, evenly slide main seal into place (gently and evenly tap into place)
Replace retainer (large plastic ring)
Check that gearbox is fully in braked position (rotate clockwise to check) then slide new cap down till it lightly rests on retainer.... (When in spin mode this is elevated with gearbox, in wash mode it marginalises leakage)
Take wash bowl pit and rinse /dry hub centre. Apply lithplex to shaft surface and outer drive shaft, refer note (1) to make future removal easier
Line wash bowl up to retainer cutout, re install cleaned stainless retainer and raise wash bowl whilst ensuring the retainer locks into position, then evenly and gently tighten retainer till bowl is firmly locked into place, tighten firmly.
Re assemble rest in reverse to disassembly.....
One May want to replace inner shaft seal(agitator to outer drive) at this point - use lithplex on seal surfaces
Regards Baily