The Maytag Dependable Cars

[maytaglover68]

This was my favorite washing machine of all time, even better than the Whirlpool direct drives. They lasted at least 25 years if properly maintained, much longer than any new machine.

They also had great cleaning action. They cleaned well but weren’t as aggressive as direct drives. Maytag advertised them as the strongest machines ever and I definitely agree.

The reason why Maytag went down is because they’ve been making less dependable cafes and more Neptunes.

The main failure on the dependable care was the outer tub rusting out or the springs eventually going out.

Personally, even the Norgetags and Amanatags were okay but not nearly as good as the dependable care.

 

[combo52]

Maytag dependable care washers

Were made for nearly 50 years, like all machines they had many problems, however, I never saw one with bad springs and rusting out of the outer tub was a very infrequent problem much less frequency than any other popular washer with a porcelain on steel outer tub.

Even though they were very popular and could be quite long lived, they were the most lackluster performers, couldn’t turn over large loads well until they came up with a load sensor agitator and never had a large capacity like the competitors.

They had problems with unbalanced loads and walking because they didn’t have a good self leveling leg system.

John L

 

[thatwasherguy]

Vintage Maytags are my favorites too!

Especially the center dial models of the 1970’s. I was lucky enough to get to fully restore a matching set from 1978 for the collection in 2022, and I was impressed with everything that I saw. I can’t imagine a scenario in which one wouldn’t last at least 20 years. The springs on mine were still good after 43 years, but the outer tub had rusted out at the upper seal lip. The only other thing truly wrong with the machine was that one of the damper pads had torn loose from the base. Luckily, I caught it before the damper destroyed itself. I agree, as soon as Maytag started moving away from the helical drive platform, they started going downhill. Quite frankly, I have no idea why they ever bothered with producing the other platforms in the first place, as they already had the best one in existence. From what I’ve read, it sounds like corporate greed finally got to them, they decided to cheapen their products, and ruined their good name in the process.
Thatwasherguy.

 

[smartdrive1100]

The Maytag dependable care

I heard of a story of what I think was a 90s Maytag dependable care model that the transmission failed on it. The technician opened it up and found it had no oil in it. There was no oil underneath the machine either so the only option was that it came from factory with oil. It lasted 9 years like that. Name me one other washer that could last that long with regular use. It’s pretty insane.

I have an 80s TOL timer model that is in pretty much perfect condition and it’s very quiet and runs very well. One of my best machines that’s for sure.

 

[qsd-dan]

Outer tub on the helical Maytags lasted many years unless one was heavy handed with chlorine bleach, especially with chlorine bleach soaks. I quit using that junk 20 years ago so that's a nonissue with me.

The springs never lose their tension unless they broke from extreme rust. Never saw one like that but I guess all it would take is a few decades in a very damp environment. The springs on these are very beefy, it's impossible to stretch them beyond their limit within the cabinet. Go ahead and try to pop the springs in and out of the eyelet, like most top loaders. Ain't happening unless you're this guy:

 

[hotrodjohn71]

Qsd-dan,

Can you share the procedure of correctly tightening those 3 tub springs?

 

[cfz2882]

Maytag did make cars around 1910. Do not know if they were dependable

 

[qsd-dan]

Qsd-dan,

Can you share the procedure of correctly tightening those 3 tub springs?

I custom adjust them slightly tighter than factory and go by feel but I did a bunch of these back in the day.

The short, official version by Maytag: Tighten the springs evenly until the washer can handle a 5 pound weight in an empty tub without going out of balance but without transmitting vibrations to the cabinet (adjusted too tight). The tub should be perfectly centered to the cabinet/tub opening after the spin cycle is finished with the cabinet perfectly leveled in all directions. There's lots of adjusting to both get the tension correct, then subtle adjustments to center the tub to the cabinet opening (while trying to maintain proper tension), particularly when the washer is done spinning.

When I did full restorations on these, I would set the washers up in the garage (water, drain hose positioned at the proper height for draining) for easier access rather than pulling the washer in and out of a tight laundry room and releveling the cabinet each time while washing a few loads of laundry and watching/adjusting the springs after each spin cycle. Make sure the washer doesn't move 1 millimeter in any direction while tipping it back to adjust the springs, this can cause the cabinet to misalign, therefore throwing the tub off center. The top and front panel of the cabinet must be secured tightly to the washer as well or the entire cabinet will flex and the washer won't be properly level. Have a few loads of laundry ready to wash so you can tinker with the spring tension after every spin cycle (after the wash cycle and after and rinse cycle).

Once everything is properly adjusted, install into the laundry room, level the cabinet, and you'll be ready to go.

 

[maytag85]

Outer tub on the helical Maytags lasted many years unless one was heavy handed with chlorine bleach, especially with chlorine bleach soaks. I quit using that junk 20 years ago so that's a nonissue with me.

The springs never lose their tension unless they broke from extreme rust. Never saw one like that but I guess all it would take is a few decades in a very damp environment. The springs on these are very beefy, it's impossible to stretch them beyond their limit within the cabinet. Go ahead and try to pop the springs in and out of the eyelet, like most top loaders. Ain't happening unless you're this guy:

The outer tub on the Whirlpool belt drives was a similar gage of metal, though what ended up causing those out tubs to rot out on those machines was either being heavy handed with bleach, not using enough detergent, cold water washes, or leaving the lid closed after every wash. I was told by some people over the years that it’s supposed to prevent mold, but now it’s preventing moisture from lingering around causing rust.

If I do use bleach, it’s usually a quick dash which is about 1/4 of a cup or less, really only need to use a 1/2 cup of bleach if that for a large load.

 

[agiflow]

What would be a suitable replacement for liquid bleach in an older top loader ? Oxi clean ? I don't think I want to use LCB in my machines anymore.

 

[phillymatt53]

This was my favorite washing machine of all time, even better than the Whirlpool direct drives. They lasted at least 25 years if properly maintained, much longer than any new machine.

They also had great cleaning action. They cleaned well but weren’t as aggressive as direct drives. Maytag advertised them as the strongest machines ever and I definitely agree.

That's why I'm clinging to my old 1985 Maytag A482 and matching dryer.
All original, never been serviced, and runs like a charm.