Speed Queen wringer washer guts

[wringersteve]

After using my SQ wringer washer, there was noticeably less water in the tub than when I had first filled it. Upon examination, I discovered the culprit was a deteriorating cork tub seal. Last night I decided to remove the offending seal in order to replace it. I had never removed the tub from a wringer washer before, so I took a leap of faith and decided to proceed. I was amazed at how easy it was and how simple the machine is!

 

[wringersteve]

Next step....

The wringer and tub have been removed

 

[wringersteve]

Behold!

I was surprised to find the innards as clean as they were! I'll replace the gasket and do a little touch-up painting with Rustoleum appliance epoxy around the bottom inner lip.

 

[mickeyd]

It looks so neat! Another hit for you.

Do you think you could enlarge the last pic, if at all possible, Steve?

Thank You.

 

[rollermatic]

thanks! i have a speed queen wringer

washer that looks identical to your's. got it from a guy in cleveland 2 summers ago. runs fine but leaks out of the center area.

have not had time to take it apart. eventually want to tackle it. when i do can i give you a buzz here for some repair expertise?

thanks

 

[wringersteve]

Mickey and Rollermatic

I'm not having any luck enlarging the pic. I'll try to take another one this evening and post it. Rollermatic, that center leak problem is what I'm working on right now. It'll be an easy fix. Let me know if you need help. I'm learning as I go, and so far so good.

 

[wringersteve]

With the tub off and looking down into the mechanism

Here is a better pic.

 

[wringersteve]

And a close-up

One angle.

 

[wringersteve]

And another close-up

from a different angle.

 

[mickeyd]

Steve,

those shots are wonderful. They show how the drain control arm pushes the drain wheel up to the belt. Amazed at how automatic it looks down there.

Lovely wringer porn. Thanks.

 

[rollermatic]

thanks steve

copied the pics. will give you a call when i tear into mine, sometime next year!

 

[wringersteve]

No more leaks

I replaced the original gaskets for the post assembly, tub, and drain. The original gasket material was cork/rubber. I went to my local AutoZone auto parts store and found the identical material and thickness! Using the originals as templates, I traced the outline onto the new gasket material and cut out my new gaskets. For the bolt holes, I found that a one-hole paper punch was identical in size and it worked like a charm. Total cost: Less than $8. Sweet! Hopefully, these gaskets will last another 30 years.

Getting the tub back onto the frame took a little patience, but it wasn't too difficult.

 

[mickeyd]

Great Christmas present, Steve

So neat that the bolt holes matched the paper punch. Don't you feel blessed and so happy when the universe cooperates?! ;'D

 

[stevet]

Raising Lazarus from the grave!

Steve, if you are still checking out the forum, can you tell me how the agitator shaft engages the drive from the transmission? Does the agitation lever that goes out of the side of the machine raise or lower the agitator shaft into the drive gear or raise the gear up?
If it came out with the tub then something must couple the whole thing together, no?

Maybe the problem with the machine Chris got off of ebay is going to have a really simple solution once the tub and agitator are removed.

I have never even turned one of these machines on, no less worked on one but am willing to give it a try.

Thanks for this post from years ago and to Laundress for resurrecting it.
Steve

 

[abcomatic]

HI Steve, I have the exact same machine that you have. Would you do me a favor and see, while you have the tub off, how the control activates the pump. I turn mine and nothing happens. Have you had any wringer problems. I have 2 of these machines with the stainless steel tub and one that has a porcelain tub.
Thanks for posting these fine pictures. Good luck. Gary

 

[launderess]

Pumps do seem to be an issue with SQ wringers.

IIRC a member in upstate NY had a late model SQ wringer that needed a new home, and said that unit's pump didn't work correctly from the start. That was a new or nearly so unit, again IIRC.

You would think that SQ kept making wringers almost as long as Maytag more spare parts could be had NIB, but that does not seem to be the case. Meanwhile Maytag stuff is all over the place.

 

[stevet]

Matter of ownership?

Maybe?
While Maytag basically was owned and operated by a single company until they were bought by Whirlpool, didn't SQ go thru a series of buyouts that would have produced any number of different priorities for the respective owners? Obviously, somewhere along its timeline, the decision was made to stop producing the wringer machines while Maytag just continued to do so.

Just look how Whirlpool killed off the Kitchenaid parts yet keeps the Maytag parts line alive. At least so far.

I always have to wonder if I came across one of their products, which division made the best machines? I had a chance a few years ago but shied away from it because I just was not sure of the brand's quality and reliability. That was a top loader.

It would seem that they have gotten their act together now and are producing good machines again.

 

[launderess]

IIRC from my research

While things may have varied locally in order of sales Maytag, Speed Queen then Kenmore dominated conventional washer sales. May have the order of last two switched, but you get the point.

This probably explains why models from those three brands of all vintages are the most commonly found today.

Maytag of course had a national sales force that stretched from Maine to California. Kenmore via Sears either stores or catalog pretty much the same.

Thing about SQ wringers is the largest model held a huge amount of laundry. Something like 14 lbs. I also like the fact SQ's tub does not have exposed bolts like Maytag and some others.

The whole SQ saga is discussed here: http://www.automaticwasher.org/cgi-bin/TD/TD-VIEWTHREAD.cgi?16603

Joe Barlow and John Seelig as Barlow & Seelig Manufacturing, then McGraw Edison, next Raytheon, then Alliance Laundry systems.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Speed_Queen

Have seen early SQ wringers (with jade green enameled tub) and they look rather interesting.

 

[rollermatic]

i have a speedqueen wringer

washer that I will gladly give away!