Rollermatic Help!!

[jamman_98]

Ok here's the situation. The Rollermatic that I picked up last Christmas and stored was suposed to be a dead machine. NOT. It came alive but it has a couple issue that I desparately need help with. First off when it agitates it goes BANG BANG BANG...... I'm guessing/hoping it's a minor adjustment. Second is it spins slow and off balance. What do I do to fix this. I would love to talk to someone in on the phone (my dime) about the situation. If you can offer some advice over the phone e-mail me your phone number.

Thanks
Joe
[email protected]

P.S. Pics to come soon I promise

 

[panthera]

We like to watch...

But in this case, until someone with more experience (and more knowlege of rollermatics) than I reports in, may I suggest you not hook it up again? These mechanisms were not the sturdiest GM ever built.
Still 100% better than anything anyone is building right now.
Kinda kewl that it still is alive, too - I wish you the best in getting things working again.

 

[jamman_98]

Problems now

Well I decided to pull the machine out and look and see if I could discover the banging. After laying it on its side, I checked everything and determined that it might be a lose agitator. I put it back upright, hooked it up and now it hums. No action at all. Now I have to decide what to do. I need a washing machine so I may have to go and get something and retire the rollermatic. So off to the habitat stores to see what I can find.

Joe
[email protected]

 

[christfr]

oh boy.. this will be the test to see if you love this machine or not... so hang in there and just take it slow.. steve and i can both tell ya they aint always easy and they can be tricky but i know i love mine...the slow spin prob sounds like a clutch or roller prob unless something is binding. and the balance prob could be in the balance ring or mech support.. and the bangin could be something out of adj like a coupler or arm or in the shaft.. post pics and well all try and help ya as best as we can

 

[jamman_98]

Ok update

I got it working again but I have to sit on it when it spins. I think the agitator is lose. When I press down on it when it agitates is runs smooth. so for now i'm going to sit on it and baby it so I can have some clean laundry LOL.

Joe

 

[swestoyz]

Hey Joe,

Check out this old post from a friend on the board, back from 2004. His multimatic had some cone hop issues. He even has an mp3 file with the sound of the mild cone hop, and a good write up of his solution. Hopefully, your fix is as easy as his.

2004 Thread 418

Ben

http://www.automaticwasher.org/TD/ARCHIVE/VINTAGE/2004/418x13.htm

 

[jamman_98]

That Helped

Ok if I can just get it to spin without boincing around

Joe

 

[christfr]

if it wont spin out with out hittin the outter tub even with an empty inner tub you gots a prob.. could be the mech support has started to fold up a bit or the stuff in the bal ring is clumpy

 

[gyrafoam]

Check to see if the integrity of the plug in the balance ring has been compromised. (This requires no disassembly). If so, there may be a problem with the metal filings in the balance ring---some may even have been washed overboard. This is a typical issue with old Frigidaires.

Next would be the rubber mechanism support--------gently lie the machine on its front----- with a flashlight, looking up to where the very top of the mechanism is bolted on, do you see any signs of leakage---especially around the attachment bolts?
A more sure way to check is to remove the inner tub, but of course this is much more invasive.

I know you are a good drive to Atlanta, but if you need to, you can throw the machine on your truck and come visit---we should be able to get it fixed. Please don't junk it!

 

[gansky1]

There is a spring from the frame of the mechanism to the cabinet - this provides counterbalance for the weight of the mechanism and motor. If it's missing, you could have the problem that you describe. Odds are, the rubber composite of the mechanism support is weak and allowing the tub to sag to the back and right of the machine (looking in from the front) - this is a very common problem with the solid tub rollermatics. Check to see if the spring is there and still strong, you can experiment with various springs from the hardware store to see what works best if it is missing.

 

[jamman_98]

Update

Well here is an update so far. I managed to get it to spin at the normal speed without too much problems. I have to sit on it when it spins. Swestoyz found the problem with the agitator - agitator hop. I need more tools. Anyway back to the spin. I redistributed the load and balanced it so it would sping fast. Today I got a brilliant idea to see if a bungee cord would help with the unbalance problem.. I worked on the firt load but not the second as well. I'm going to work on it again on Sunday and I promise pics of everything. I'm trying to keep her going cause I might have to take her to Atlanta and beg help fro Gyrofoam.

Joe
jamman_98

 

[Unimatic1140]

Joe it does sound like the mechanism counter balance spring is broken or missing.

 

[jamman_98]

spring

I only saw 1 spring underneith. so I don't know what could be missing. I apic to compare mine with one that is working would be helpful

Joe
jamman_98