Speed Queen - Are belts a common prob

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Looking to replace Maytag A206 center dails. Looking for something simple and dependalbe. SPEED QUEEN (SQ) seems fto be the only modern machine that fits the bill... Only real complaint I read is about the belts getting ate up..

Can anyone explain? Is this really a problem, or most often whiny users who overload.

Found ~2year old set for ~$600
 
The drive belt wear is a very minor issue and an inexpensive repair even a novice DIY can do.

I picked up 10 year old SQ TL for a friend a while back. She then ran it almost another year of heavy use on what appeared to be the original belt. I installed a new belt/idler pulley kit and its been running fine since.
 
Maybe Alliance has changed something in the design that makes switching out a belt easier.

 

Our Raytheon Amana/SQ clone ate belts (it had a relatively easy life, btw) and I've heard that current SQ machines still go through them.  We wisely purchased an extended service contract with our Amana so it was always a tech who changed the belts on it.  It was never a quick job and one of them even told me it wasn't as easy as on other machines.  I watched one of them pulling off extraneous parts just to get at the belt.  You'll hear a rhythmic dull clicking sound during agitation when the belt needs replacing.

 

So, if Alliance has made the job easier, then it's probably a minor annoyance to change out a belt once in a while in exchange for good old fashioned TL washing action.

 

A SQ tub will seem absolutely cavernous compared to the small capacity you've been dealing with on your 206.  I made the same switch from a 206 to the Amana.

 

Sorry nobody has come forward to help you locate a timer for your Maytag.  It sounds like a machine worth keeping (and $85 is way cheaper than a new SQ) if you don't mind its small capacity.
 
not that your belt wont wear out over time for an Alliance built machine.....mine is around 8 years of heavy use, and still the original belt....

but its the Raytheon built ones that gave them all a bad rap.....this in detail had to do with that 4 port belt driven pump, pumping water back into the tub via the filter flume, just a bad design of pulling that said water from the bottom of the tub...in any case, it put excessive drag on the belt causing premature wear...later on that self clean filter set-up was removed......
 
The SQ belt change is a procedure compared to Dependable Care Maytags but certainly not a deal killer whether DIY or a service call and as Yogi mentioned the original drive belt can last 8+ years or more.
 
Video Assistance

I couldn't find any video complaints or assist wise on YouTube, so I can't imagine that this is a problem...

Malcolm
 
Well from experience with my SQ washer and changing the belt out myself....it's no Maytag that's for sure. With a Newton built Maytag, one just tips the washer up and changes the belts in less than 3 mins flat, if that. The SQ washer requires the front panel to be taken off, then the top is tilted up, the pump is attached to the pump by clips so that has to be removed. Then the belt can be removed. One thing I noticed is all the black belt "dust" on the base of the washer. We bought my AWN 311 back in 2009 and it's still going fine. One thing with a worn belt one will notice dismal water extraction and it will take much longer for the wash basket to get up to speed. Agitation is affected as well. I have been noticing lately that there is a lot of chatter during agitation because of the idler, the transmission has some knocking going on now as well. But this is my experience, yours may vary.
 
Belts really aren't big deal, just wondering extent of 'issue'. Doubt I'll ever find another set to run ~40 yrs. The last Newton MT DC sound good but they are already ~15 years old. Then there's thought of the dozens of cheap used WP DD setups being traded in for HE units.
 
Those cheap WP DD used machines:

Would be an excellent replacement for the MT 206. You will have much greater capacity, better cleaning and less repairs. The DA agitators in most of these machines are MUCH more effective than a Power Fin. Of course a new SQ would be the best choice for buying new.
WK78
 
My local service tech estimates the average life of an SQ belt is five years. I had my first belt change five years ago when the machine was five years ago. Now it appears that at nine years old, it is time again. The machine isn;t reaching full spin speed on most loads and when it does, it takes most of the spin cycle to do that. So he will be coming out next Saturday to check it out. But I wonder, could the spin speed issue be caused by another underlying problem??
 
I think there are enough testimonials about the belt issue to make the pursuit of a replacement timer for the Maytag your best option.

 

The TL Speed Queen boosters here may not want to hear it, but the fact is, the Alliance machines aren't any better at rinsing than our old Raytheon Amana was, and they tend to eat belts just as frequently.

 

After reading Mike's post, which captures the same issues we had with our Amana, I think you should reconsider.  Your Maytag does a better job and won't need a single belt in the time period a SQ will go through a few of them.  I'd hang onto it as long as possible.   Just because SQ is the only old-school TL machine available on the market today, that doesn't put it in the same league with the build quality and performance of a '70s Maytag.  Not by a long shot.
 
Offered Counterpoint...

The Amana washer and dryer set that I bought new back in 1996 are still running on the original belts (both washer and dryer) at my Aunt's house. Only repair they have ever had was a heating element on the dryer.

Perhaps the belts that you've been using are not factory authorized replacements?

Malcolm
 
All service on our Amana was performed by Sears with factory parts.

 

I honestly think the belt thing is a manufacturing issue with many machines not being assembled to what may be highly precise specifications required for long belt life.  There have been reports of a few stray machines that haven't had belt issues, but they seem to be the exceptions to an otherwise commonly reported complaint.
 
I do plan to keep the old Maytag operational. I agree, don't think we'll ever find 1970's durabilty in any of new machines, even a TOL FL. However I'm also in need of larger capcity with fam of 5.

Changing belts ~3-5yrs sounds lot better than possbile clutch, gearbox, bearings or seals from many other new machines. I guess my bigggest concern, as alluded to above, is if belt wear may be related to some other mfg issue, such as alignment or transmission operation.

Sounds like this may be last year for mechanical SQ's???

Guess a Newton Dependable Care would be an option if I could find decent one. Noticed everytime one shows up on Craigslist they seem to disappear..
Not sure if this is one or not
https://louisville.craigslist.org/app/4882196944.html

Whirlpool DD could be option, but don't see them being anywhere near 20+year machine..
https://louisville.craigslist.org/app/4883161849.html
 
Well, the serviceman was here yesterday and not only was it a belt, but the pump was leaking as well. Not sure how long pumps are supposed to last though. Start to finish - $220. Oh, well...
 

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