Refreshing My ‘69 Maytag A106

[combo52]

Refreshing a Maytag A 106 washer

It certainly a lot easier to do this when the machine is still working properly, The oil Maytag used in these machines was not of great quality, but it was definitely sufficient to keep the machine running for a very long time. New oils are so much better. It was normal for it to be that muddy brown color as it aged.

Since you’re top output, agitator shaft still turns easily I would not take it apart, I would try to get solvent up in the bearings and clean them and then put some of the new transmission oil in the top of the case and let the case sit upside down for a day or more. You might even try putting the top Assembly in a 150° oven to work the oil into that bearing.

I would also lightly polish the agitator shaft where the lip seal seals against it don’t sand the finish off, just polish it with some very fine polishing paper.

Other than lubricating the main tub bearing thoroughly with turban oil, new seal and stem Nut assembly the washer should be good to go for a long time.

 

[drummerboy928]

One thing I noticed during cleaning, that also contributed to the sluggish agitation, is that the main pitman link, which in this case is bolted to the gear that drives it, did not really want to turn freely. The old oil was so tacky that the gears seemed to be kind of “stuck” together so to say. After cleaning, all the gears rotate much more easily. I also inspected all the teeth and inner surfaces closely and they all look in very good shape. I flushed out that oil hole for the upper agitator shaft bearings, and currently have it sitting upside down with oil in it in order to get fresh oil through all the bearings. I’ve also replaced the lower housing O-Ring since I had a good pick set at work.