Top of wringer won’t drop into place

[angelina]

I was washing a blanket earlier and made the mistake of putting it through the wringer, after it jammed I shut off and realesed the wringers to pull it out, now it won’t go back down into place, I have tried jiggling it around a little and it looks like part of the locking mechanism might be sticking out and preventing it from dropping down into place

 

[bradross]

Perhaps locked in the separated position...

this may seem like a silly question, but have you tried re-setting the tension?

Here are the instructions directly from the manual:

"... press on red release bar on either side and simultaneously turn reset handle one quarter turn counter-clockwise. When the cap drops in position, turn the tension reset handle one quarter turn clockwise to place tension on the rolls again."

If that doesn't work, perhaps the tension rods have been bent, or worse, the bearing hangers have been damaged. Hopefully neither of those are the case. Good luck!

 

[angelina]

Thank you

Thank you so much, that worked, I assumed that resetting the tension consisted of just pushing the bar and turning the reset handle after, you really do learn something new every day

 

[bradross]

Hey Angelina ... so glad to hear that worked out! Now you can get back to your wash!

 

[launderess]

If you don't have a copy

Strongly suggest either downloading form this site, or maybe getting one from eBay; a copy of the owner's manual/instruction book for Maytag wringer washers.

The little book is full of tips and troubleshooting techniques/ideas.

In this instance the book would have informed you of Maytag "conventional" washers safety feature. That is when something really large enters the wringer rolls they pop open. This is meant to prevent an arm or other bodily part from being pulled into the wringers. However it also acts to protect the machine by keeping items too large from damaging the wringer mechanisms.

This feature also allows one to lock the wringer rollers apart after wash day and machine is going to be stored. Keeping wringer rollers apart prevents them from sticking and or developing flat spots.

When doing heavy and or thick items like blankets one stops machine, then tries to arrange item so there are few clumps/thick areas for the first few feet going in. As material is pulled into wringer will attempt to work out any clumps/thick areas before they reach rollers. If not possible will stop things, sort out the material, then continue.

According to the persons that one uses for Maytag wringer parts/repair the main cause of machines needing service are persons putting things too large through the wringer.