The "Mother" of all Maytag Agitator Pullers

[rainislandman]

An update with reference to my original query posted as
Thread# 19219 "MayTag Washer circa 1970 - Model A806"

The "Mother" of all Maytag Agitator Pullers using a "Macho Rambo" brute force "Take no Prisoners" approach, which won't for the faint hearted (using the California Governor's vernacular) girlie men. ;-)

This approach is the result of an evolution of two prior unsuccessful attempts, basically the combination of fixerman's approach plus bajaespuma 's, requiring minimal physical exertion and pain.

Materials List

Two by Four lumber
4 @ 24 inches
2 @ 7.5 inches
1 @ 3.5 inches

Plywood - half inch
1 @ 7 inches square

Tuna Tin 3 5/16 inches diameter

Bolts
1/2 by 6 inches
Nuts and washers

Chain (2 inch) plus two shackles

Tube 3 inch outside diameter, 6 inches length
(scrounged from a local machine shop)

Iron Pipe
2 by 12 inches

Socks - 5 pair (CostCo bulk variety)

Tools

12 Ton Hydraulic Jack

Radial Arm Saw

Wood Rasp

3/4 Inch Wrench

long 1/4 inch rod

Procedure

Make up Jack stand using the 2x4 lumber 4 @ 24 inches and the
7 inches square plywood with the 2x4 @ 3.5 inches centred and
nailed to it.

Notch out the 2x4, 2 @ 7.5 inches, using the Tuna tin as the layout guide with a Radial Arm Saw, and rasp out the saw cuts to fit the layout.

Assemble with the bolts to make up the agitator clamp.

Take 8 socks, and using the long 1/4 inch rod, stuff one into each opening at the bottom of the agitator, pulling enough
length through so that the toe will act as a buffer between the Jack stand and the inner agitator tub. Then tie the top ends of the socks together and pull up, then install the 3 inch outside diameter tube into the agitator. Next, tamp down the socks to compact as a heat sink for boiling water.

Install the agitator clamp (using another pair of socks to cushion the wood against the agitator shaft), chain shackles, chain, and Jack stand.

Pressurize the jack, until the chains are tight, and stiff resistance is felt by the jack handle. Then pour boiling hot water into the agitator centre tube, using a pipe as a conduit, and keep testing the resistance on the jack handle.

After two kettles (perhaps less) of boiling hot water, and approximately ten minutes (perhaps less), the Agitator should pull up without excess resistance.

 

[pturo]

Holy sh*t, it looks like your're drilling for oil! Are you sure you're not related to Rube Goldberg?

 

[qsd-dan]

Good Lord, it shouldn't take THAT much force to pop the agitator out! Gotta do whach-ya gotta do, though. Let us know if you and the washer survive without any damage, LOL!!

 

[goatfarmer]

I'll use the AgiTamer, thanks.....

 

[jetcone]

Drilling for Oil is right

Can't wait to see the outcome of this!

Not to rain on your parade (no pun intended) I once had to hoist a whole F 1-18 up like that to get the tub support out. Hit it with hammers suspended by its own weight. Never did come off. They must have used Oxydol!!

Good luck!

jet

 

[rickr]

I think you need a bigger jack! <:

 

[goatfarmer]

Back in the day, I used to use a torch to cut off 1-18 tub supports. When they leaked, they would rust solid to the shaft.

 

[pturo]

Holy sh*t, it looks like your're drilling for oil! Are you sure you're not related to Rube Goldberg?

 

[rainislandman]

No other method that I tried worked. Using the jack with controlled force, and the heat from boiling water worked like a charm. There was no damage to the agitator nor the tub. The trick was to apply sufficient upward constant force against the tub, and let the boiling water seeping through the sock material loosen the agitator. I'm sure I would have broken something if I had just applied force alone.

The image I posted was after the agitator had lifted off the tapered spline. My only regret was that Maytag didn't build a better washing machine back in 1970, as the tub seal leaked after only 38 years whereas I had expected it to last at least 60 years and more,

Herewith an image of my agitator clamp.

 

[tuthill]

Can i borrow that behemoth?

 

[qsd-dan]

Sure was innovative!

 

[charbee]

Yep..."innovative" works...I think this guy thinks like me...back in school, I always arrived at the "correct" answer, but the teachers tended to look at me with that "cocked-headed-confused-puppy" look when I told 'em how I got there, yeppers...

 

[roto204]

Hey

That's pretty cool. We've all been there, and after it happens the third time, "whatever it takes" becomes the mantra

 

[jetcone]

Now a generous coat

of Aluma_Lube aka Permatex Anti-Seize all over that stub is needed!!

 

[bajaespuma]

Jeez,

Well, now I know what I'm going as for Halloween.

 

[toggleswitch2]

Now THAT's ingenuity!

An agitator puller?

Jeez, and I thought you already were.
(Ducks and runs!)

 

[cleanteamofny]

The caveman done it again!
Once we made the wheel, now pulling agitators. Great improvement done over the years! lol

 

[johnb300m]

so, uhh, if it's that hard to come off, how do you put it back on?

 

[qsd-dan]

so, uhh, if it's that hard to come off, how do you put i

It'll snap right back into place with ease. It's just removing them after 30+ years of exposure to all of the washing elements temporarily welds things together.