Should I get my old Kenmore direct drive washer fixed?

[Zoey]

I have a used 2003 Kenmore 110.26652500 that had a strong burning smell last time I used it. It had gotten louder and there was an oily leak underneath for a couple of years so the transmission may be dry.

This is the 2nd used direct drive I've had in the last 10 years. They worked great and I love that they're cheap to buy and fix. There's a guy in town who fixes direct drives and also sells reconditioned ones.

Now that I'm not physically able to work on them anymore myself, I'm wondering if I get it fixed, will it still be affordable to keep it going. Also, how long will he be able to get parts?

I don't like the new top loaders with their crappy parts and control boards and fancy cycles. Plus, it sounds like I'll be lucky to get 5 years out of one. I don't know if front loaders are any more reliable but they don't interest me and Speed Queen is out of my price range.

 

[cfz2882]

yes,fix that washer-so many new and used parts,any intact DD is very repairable.

 

[Zoey]

I should've said, is it worth it if I have to start paying someone else to fix it? Say, for example, it needs an expensive repair like a new transmission. Would that be prohibitively expensive to pay for since I can't rebuild it myself?

 

[goatfarmer]

I don't know that I would replace a transmission. DD's are still plentiful.

 

[combo52]

It does sound like you may have a transmission problem. Best to talk to the repair guy you know and see what they think but I would not put several hundred dollars into the machine.

There’s still a lot of good used ones out there and a new whirlpool built top loader will easily last you a decade or more, like how many loads are you doing a week?

And don’t be afraid of a front loading washer, you’ll be amazed at how much nicer your clothing look coming out of one cleaner and better rinsed almost all the serious washer users today. Agree with this

We’re selling quite a few of the whirlpool full-size front loaders in the $750 range. They’re great machines you won’t be able to believe how easily you can wash even big blankets and comforters and how nice your clothing looks. Depending on your utility rates the machine may pay for itself long before it’s worn out.

John L

 

[npolite]

I can comment that while these are good washers, you get to a point where you just need to let it go. I have an 07 DD and was changing the neutral drain on the transmission. I didn't realize that the tooth slipped out when I was draining the oil and after assembling all of it the connecting gear broke. So now I am out a transmission $200 ish. I replaced the upper and lower seals as they were leaking and the top one went within a year. I have been told that the bearings are probably shot that caused the premature wear. Just recently I replaced the seals on the transmission, another $40 there and when I put everything back together, the washer is moving around like crazy. It could be the bearings but not 100% sure as it just started after the reinstall.

I also have a rusted/rotting inner tub which is another $150. And this is just the cost of parts. It keeps adding up to keep these things going.

I'm calling in the towel on the unit. I am probably going to get the Maytag commercial grade 586 or an LG front loader. Yes both of these won't last 10 years but at least I can replace the parts (as long as the board doesn't go since they cost $300+)

For someone that is no longer able to repair these it is not cost effective to keep fixing them up.

Just my 2 cents on this.

 

[Zoey]

Are there any parts that are no longer available to buy new?

 

[npolite]

For my DD, the parts are available, it just keeps adding, $40 for the transmission seals, $30 for the neutral drain which are wasted now that the transmission is done for. $150 for the tub, $40-50 for the two seals, $80 for the bearings. And that is if nothing else is failing.

 

[maytag85]

I can comment that while these are good washers, you get to a point where you just need to let it go. I have an 07 DD and was changing the neutral drain on the transmission. I didn't realize that the tooth slipped out when I was draining the oil and after assembling all of it the connecting gear broke. So now I am out a transmission $200 ish. I replaced the upper and lower seals as they were leaking and the top one went within a year. I have been told that the bearing are probably shot that caused the premature wear. Just recently I replaced the seals on the transmission, another $40 there and when I put everything back together, the washer is moving around like crazy. It could be the bearings but not 100% sure as it just started after the reinstall.

I also have a rusted/rotting inner tub which is another $150. And this is just the cost of parts. It keeps adding up to keep these things going.

I'm calling in the towel on the unit. I am probably going to get the Maytag commercial grade 586 or an LG front loader. Yes both of these won't last 10 years but at least I can replace the parts (as long as the board doesn't go since they cost $300+)

For someone that is no longer able to repair these it is not cost effective to keep fixing them up.

Just my 2 cents on this.

Direct drives can have issues with the transmission, there’s more pieces inside which can fail. Belt drives on the other hand, have few parts inside and since everything is made of cast iron, will last for a long, long time. Only things that can fail inside a belt drive transmission is the shifter fork spring(s), shifter fork assembly but that’s about it. There can be issues with the cam bar assembly along with the control magnet assembly but those are external to the transmission.

 

[Zoey]

yes,fix that washer-so many new and used parts,any intact DD is very repairable.

Thanks for your reply.

 

[Zoey]

I don't know that I would replace a transmission. DD's are still plentiful.

Thanks.

 

[Zoey]

It does sound like you may have a transmission problem. Best to talk to the repair guy you know and see what they think but I would not put several hundred dollars into the machine.

There’s still a lot of good used ones out there and a new whirlpool built top loader will easily last you a decade or more, like how many loads are you doing a week?

And don’t be afraid of a front loading washer, you’ll be amazed at how much nicer your clothing look coming out of one cleaner and better rinsed almost all the serious washer users today. Agree with this

We’re selling quite a few of the whirlpool full-size front loaders in the $750 range. They’re great machines you won’t be able to believe how easily you can wash even big blankets and comforters and how nice your clothing looks. Depending on your utility rates the machine may pay for itself long before it’s worn out.

John L

Thanks. I do about 2 loads a week.

 

[Zoey]

For my DD, the parts are available, it just keeps adding, $40 for the transmission seals, $30 for the neutral drain which are wasted now that the transmission is done for. $150 for the tub, $40-50 for the two seals, $80 for the bearings. And that is if nothing else is failing.

Thanks. That's what I'm afraid of. But the new top loaders don't sound like they're built to last. Even the LG front loaders have many negative reviews.

 

[Zoey]

Direct drives can have issues with the transmission, there’s more pieces inside which can fail. Belt drives on the other hand, have few parts inside and since everything is made of cast iron, will last for a long, long time. Only things that can fail inside a belt drive transmission is the shifter fork spring(s), shifter fork assembly but that’s about it. There can be issues with the cam bar assembly along with the control magnet assembly but those are external to the transmission.

Thanks, that's interesting. Are you referring to top load belt drives?

 

[npolite]

Like anything else you are going to have negative reviews on everything. People just don't want to take the time to care for their stuff. I've seen posts of the ringtub being cracked on direct drives. Like how on earth does someone crack the ringtub?

Will these last as long as the older units, no way. I do watch LAAppliance guy and a lot of the stuff he gets are drain issues and tub bearings. The spider gears will eventually go on a top loader but that is hopefully in 10 years.

 

[DADoES]

What is a spider gear on a toploader?

 

[Zoey]

Like anything else you are going to have negative reviews on everything. People just don't want to take the time to care for their stuff. I've seen posts of the ringtub being cracked on direct drives. Like how on earth does someone crack the ringtub?

Will these last as long as the older units, no way. I do watch LAAppliance guy and a lot of the stuff he gets are drain issues and tub bearings. The spider gears will eventually go on a top loader but that is hopefully in 10 years.

I get the impression it's more like 5 years if you're lucky, based on the voluminous number of negative reviews on the new top loaders. Then there are the Whirlpool brands with the defective control boards and extended waits for replacement.

I thought about getting an extended warranty but Home Depot and Lowes are only 5 years and it sounds like a challenge getting service under them. Not sure what I'm going to do.