Taking a Whirlpool Combo Apart in 16 "Easy" Steps

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Unimatic1140

Unimatic1140

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As I mentioned in an earlier post, my 1958 Whirlpool combo had developed a bad leak and I determined that it was the large recirculation feed hose at the bottom of the outer tub. Unfortunately Whirlpool used and interior retaining ring to hold the hose in as opposed to an exterior clamp. So in order to remove the old hose I had to remove the wash drum which entails taking nearly the entire machine apart, grrrrrrrr.

Here is the machine coming apart in 16 easy steps...

http://automaticwasher.org/cgi-bin/00ShowCollectionGETD.cgi?dir=/COLLECTIONS/_58_Whirlpool_Combo
 
Very interesting procedure Robert. That hose does look to be in sad shape. That is such a fun machine and I am so glad that you now have some parts to keep it running!! Thanks so much for sharing!! Terry
 
16 easy steps!

Lord have mercy!!!
Thats as bad as taking apart a Hoover Concept One!!!

Hopefully thats something you won't have to do to that extent again...
 
If anyone in North America

could do that, it would have to be you, Robert!

My hat (if I wore one,) is off to you.

Lawrence/Maytagbear
 
Robert!
This is incredible!
This shows why this machine is so rare now! What Jo Blow Tech, even back then would have done this job? Wow!
I must tell you that I can't get over how clean the inside of your combo looks! Thanks for taking it apart and showing us! Was it this clean, or did you take it apart once before and clean it? It is really, really amazing for it's age.
About that hose. What was Whirlpool thinking in this design? It is wild. Makes you wonder? Such a complex machine, but such a silly design access for this hose. Makes you think that when they designed this machine, they were thinking that by the time this hose goes bad, this machine will be long out of service.
Your hose looks rough. (no offence) Was this from pulling it out and such? Or it just aged this way? Does this hose have any movement when the machine is running?
I just sit here and think that when you had to get this hose out of the machine you parted out, you had to do the same removal process with that machine!
Just curious, but what was the shape of the combo that you got your parts out of?
Thanks for the pictures!
Can't wait to see your hard work pay off with the first load!
Brent
 
Our webmaster presents....

Good gosh!! What a service nightmare!! All for a rubber hose. Well... One can clearly see that you have done a wonderful job with the first restoration, as the machine is clean enough to eat off of. At least you didn't have to work in a ton of grease, lint, and crud, like the first time. Great job Robert,and once again,thanks for sharing the photos and detailed descriptions.

BTW- all those hours in the gym have certainly paid off. You look fantasic! Just buff as hell!
 
OMG, that hose is huge. That explains the wonderful wash steram in those WP made combos!!!

And Robert, you do look great. You get better looking with age.
 
incredible

Robert, I am struck blind.
Even with three servicemen as built and bright as you *and* a long weekend I still wouldn't have the balls to try it. I'd be too afraid I'd destroy something irreplaceable.
A beautiful machine, some wonderful shots and explanations and, yes, the tidiness and order you keep is something you just can't Photoshop.
Thanks for taking the time to share all of this with us, it really made my day.
 
You had said it was a huge job to get this hose replaced but - wow! "16 Easy Steps" is a bit of a conservative title, each of the 16 steps had and A, then B, then C... It's funny that the WP combo repair manual doesn't give this much detail - that factory service training certainly was worth attending!

Glad you got the machine up and running again - it's too big to be an ornamental part of the collection and so cool to see running!
 
Hi Robert. Thank you for the fascinating pictures. I do not know how to repair machines but I sure enjoy looking at the proceedures.

Ross
 
Robert,

Wouldn't that have been a much simpler task if Whirlpool had put an access built into the drum? I think other manufacturers did this.....Like GE and Maytag...Mark
 
I admire your determination, Robert. Here is the scenario if Frigilux was at bat:

1) Remove dials. Swear a blue streak about them being screwed on.

2) Remove top. Peer inside, swear a blue streak, ending with the phrase F*CK IT.

3. Go see the new Vince Vaughn film.
 
Wow Robert - what a time that was! Those "16 Steps" sounds like a too-good-to-be-true weight loss program! As time is not currently permitting for a Whirly resto here in the Cedar Valley - it will be great to see this machine in action on another visit to Minnesota.
 
Well thanks everyone. Brent I did have the machine apart before to replace the rubber clothes guard around the front of the drum. There was a bit more grime and lint in the outer tub, but it really was relatively clean when I got it, the original owner had a wringer and clothes line in the backyard, which she preferred over this machine so it had very little use. The machine really is in nice shape otherwise.

The hose is stationary and its cut where I had cut the hose in half trying to patch the two ends together with a PVC pipe, but it didn't work so I had to wait until I found a replacement.

Louis there is no way to use a clamp on that hose because there is no flange at the opening at the bottom of the outer tub, is just a round hole so there would be nothing for the clamp to hold onto.

Mark, it would have been much easier with an access port in the drum, but no such luck on this monster.

The silicone should be dry and ready for a wash load tomorrow.
 
Deep Inside

Robert,
It is amazing to see what was lurking behind that hulking exterior. I saw many of these in my childhood.
It had never occured to me, that front loaders would come apart from the top and have an outer holding tank for the water.
I just assumed they would come apart from the front, like a dryer.
Are all front loads built on this design model, i.e. holding tank and spinning tub suspended inside?
Kelly
 
Wow, that must have been a bad leak, especially after looking at that hose!

Thanks for posting the detailed outline of the repair; even though it took 16 steps to get the hose out (a mounting flange at the bottom would have been much better, and I can't believe that shaft had to be pounded out!), the mechanics of the machine look a lot less complicated than I initially thought (at least after seeing those pictures of Jon's Kenmore when he had the front off!). Does your Whirly use the same unbalanced-load-sensing mechanism as the later Kenmore combos or is it completely different?

I know you're excited to get it running and watch that Filter-Stream action again! Keep us posted! :)
 

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