Replacing Maytag Damper Pads

[danemodsandy]

Hi:

I am going to have to put new damper pads on my LA108 washer, and I have a question:

Can I put the machine on its back to unhook the tub springs and move things so that I can get to the mounting point for the damper pads?

Also, isn't the entire base of the machine removable? I'd like to clean it up and shoot it with some new paint while I'm in there.

 

[mayken4now]

Sandy:

Just leave the machine in the upright position and use a 7/16" deep socket if going from under the machine or a 7/16" open end wrench if going in through the front. Lean the entire tub to the spring that you are going to loosen, it will take force off of it when it comes loose.

If you are going to take the machine completely apart, then yes the base comes off completely. If you have the time I would strongly reccomend that you do give it a good going over.

Posted this pic a while back when I was redoing an 806, now you can see what the base looks like when off.

Good luck!

Steve

 

[danemodsandy]

Hi Steve!

Here's the situation I found inside the machine:

One of the damper pads is completely loose, just sitting inside the machine on the base, up front, next to the pump.

Some damned idiot has used about a half-pound of graphite on the hub, where the damper pads belong, in a homemade attempt to keep things quiet and lubed.

What I want to do is to remove the base, to clean and repaint the base, and to replace the damper pads properly.

If I understand correctly, I should be able to remove the motor and pump, then put the machine on its back, loosening the springs one by one, and remove the belt pulleys. If I'm right, that will enable me to remove the base. Am I wrong here?

I don't see myself as competent (yet!) to do the sort of full tear-down and resto that you're so good at, but I DO need to get this graphite gone and the damper pads replaced. Do I have a workable plan in mind here?

Thanks for any help!

 

[goatfarmer]

Sandy, I think you're going to have to remove the brake assy, if you want to remove the base. Not hard, but you need a special wrench to do it properly.

kennyGF

 

[mayken4now]

Kenny is right, you have to remove the brake package as well. It is not completely necessary, but for painting and cleaning purposes it would be best, and then replace it while you have it off.

Yes on the springs. One by one, be careful however, they can scare you. When putting them back on, it is real nice to have someone help you by slanting the tub in a direction that you are trying to attach the spring to eye bolt.

If you have never done a Maytag refurbish before, then I would reccomend that you take step by step pictures of what goes where etc. as you go along. You will have to refer to them to put the machine back together, unless of course you have photographic memory.

Steve

 

[danemodsandy]

Steve and Kenny:

Excuse my ignorance, but where is the brake package?

My thought was to remove the springs, motor, and pump, then gently turn the machine on its side. I was thinking the trans could be left in place. After removing the pulleys from underneath the machine, I thought I'd be able to remove the bottom, leaving the tub and trans assembly where it was.

Guess I'm wrong?

 

[goatfarmer]

In the above picture, the brake assembly is the cone shaped piece, on the blue shop towel.

 

[danemodsandy]

Hmm...

I guess this doesn't work the way I thought it did. I'm not sure I want to get into removing the brake package, simply because I'd be in over my head at this point, and that's when a nice machine becomes a piece of disassembled junk. I may have to do the best I can with things in place, as if I were just following the normal procedure for replacing the damper pads.

Thanks for being straight-up with me. My personal approach to DIY repair is to do all you can and learn all you can, but when you're in over your head, leave the poor appliance alone and seek help who knows what they're doing!

 

[mayken4now]

Sandy:

You can do this alone. It is not that hard and I am confident you can figure it out. If you intend to redo the base of the machine, like I said before, you can, but the brake package should come off. You can email me directly or we can have phone conversation while you are in process, not too hard at all.

Steve