Tranmission Overhaul Maytag - A608 1973

[mayken4now]

Well guess what? The A608 kind of left me dumbfounded. Not to worry, when she hesitated the other day, (cold morning) I took a look, and decided, ok it is time. Long story short. The stately Maytag is in about 100 peices. Oh yes all parts and wires documented. I have the transmission apart and am waiting on ordered parts for it. I will re-hab it then put it back together. It is so simple to me. Did have to buy a spanner tool to get the nut out. But I did and thats cool. It will only enspire me to do more of them. Who cares about a $30 tool anyway, when you have someting as nice as these are. Was a bit surprised at the amount of oil in the transmission and how thick and old it was. NASTY.

Have a question or comment. I would like to not replace the oil with the original Maytag trans. lubricant, but with the new 50 weight mobile 1 clear oil. I wonder how it would sound and run. I imagine noisy, but what are your opinions? Can the helical take it?

Steve In Pensacola FL

 

[scott55405]

You got parts for the original transmission? I had thought all those parts had been canceled, and you had to replace a worn transmission with an orbital one.

 

[fixerman]

If you got the right spanner wrench it will work on Kenmore/WP washers too so it just may come in handy on other projects you might do.
As for transmission grease I sometimes used Motor oil or Rear end grease on some I rebuilt. Couldn't tell any difference in the sound. The helical drive is separate from the trans grease. If I'm not mistaken, the helical is lubed with some heavy bearing grease when you reinstall the pulley. The trans grease never touches the helical drive unless the trans oil o-ring is bad.

 

[fixerman]

The only parts you might have trouble getting new may be the splined agitator drive shaft. When I was rebuilding them, if the machine had a bad sheft I would use one off a junk trans. They should not be that difficult to find if need be. Other than that replacing the O-ring should be all that is necessary. If the gear shafts are worn you would probably want to try to find another trans and just scrap the original, but I have found that the shafts and gears are usually usable.

 

[Jp]

its cool you can take it apart guy and put it back together.

 

[mayken4now]

Yes Scott55405, most all of the parts were manufactured so long, that they are very easy to find here anyway. Sometimes I have to find two or three of the same to make a good one. Repairclinic.com is where if find a lot of parts. Pull up an A608, you will see.

fixerman, i think i will stick with the oil that I ordered for the trans. Thanks for all the information of when you have done this, and right, the helical only has grease. i have some of that as well. The agitator spline shaft is just fine. it turns a little stiff, but if I find that it sould turn real freely by fingers, I will get another one off of another trans. I have two around here LOL!

Keep the ideas coming. Wish Patapckrat would see this!!!!

Steve

 

[scott55405]

Well, that's great news. An orbital transmission is ok I suppose, but it's nice that you can keep your machine original.

 

[doityrselfguy]

Maytag Helical Drive Transmission

Hi Steve,

The 1978 A208 Maytag on which I'm working also has the helical drive transmission. When I tested it, it produced the agitation and spin actions just fine. However, it's leaking some grease (I can tell because some oil marks appear on the inside of the cabinet at the same level - obviously sprayed out when it spins). I bought a new gasket from Partselect.com, and plan to replace the oil at the same time. As you did, I ordered the replacement oil made specifically for the machine. I do have some questions:

Is there only enough oil in the transmission to fill the lower half? In other words, as soon as I open up the top half, will it come spilling out?

Also, what is the best way to remove the old oil? As a novice, I don't want to mess with the gears or even tip the transmission over since it's overall operation seems to be OK. I'm hoping to suck the old oil out with a turkey baster positioned near the bottom to catch any sediment as well.

If anyone has tips on this particular task, I'd appreciate hearing them.

Thanks!
Pete

 

[coldspot66]

Hey Pete,

Maytag gear oil is very thick, and tends to turn varnish-like and coats the gears when it breaks down. Only the bottom half is filled with oil. You can pry off the upper half and pour the old oil into a bucket. If the oil has broken down or foamy, it could be that water has gotten in there. Tilting the tranny will not dislodge any gears. Let it drain real good and then replace with Maytag oil. Hope this helps.

 

[mayken4now]

Maytag Helical Drive Transmission Answer

As stated with coldspot, the trans will not spill oil out if upright in it's agitation erect position. You may tip the whole thing in a bucket or pan and let it stay that way for about 12 hours, then, get rid of the old oil as you please. Then I let mine upside down for two days, and very little more came out, even with me moving it to a tilt. Then, I washed it with rags and diesel and mineral spirits to get rid of all the residue. I did buy the Maytag oil, or so they say to replace it, but I understand that any will work. I will replenish with it's original and the machine will out last me.!!! I am 43 so, another 33 years, guess what!!! LOL Let me know man how you make out.

Steve

 

[fixerman]

Sorry, If you want to replace the seal (it's really an o-ring) you will have to remove the gears as you must remove the Lower drive shaft to do it. Then fish out the old o-ring with a dental pick type tool. I have done this witout actually removing the transmission from the machine but it may not be worth it since to completely remove it you only have to remove the helical pulley after removing everything above the trans. It is much easier to work on if it is completely removed.
If the trans is upright no grease will leak out when you split the case. I am not sure how much grease (or oil) the factory spec calls for but I used to fill it up to within about 1/2 inch of the top.

 

[fixerman]

I misread your post If the oil is coming from the top of the trans only the upper seals need to be replaced, however these machines tend to leak from the bottom seal when the get old and it is probably a good idea to replace the seal I described in my previous post as long as you have it down that far anyway. I was thinking the oil was leaking from the bottom. I would agree with Coldspot66 and Mayken4now. The upper seals need to be replaced and it is not required you remove the trans to do it.

 

[mayken4now]

New parts come in tomorrow!

Woohoooo!

Guess what my Friday night party will be doing?????

After the Pharmacy tomorrow, then I will Maytag the rest of the night. I love it, having time is great too. So by Sunday, it will be up and running. I cannot wait to hear the Maytag quality sound on her new madien voyage of laundry.

Will take a pic!

Steve

 

[doityrselfguy]

Thanks everyone for your input on the transmission. I will definitely post once I complete the task to let you know how it went.

Pete

 

[mayken4now]

Okay Pete I/We will be waiting.

Send on email or post a pic on here. I am done for the night. It is not complete, but it will wait. Like the webmaster says, do not be in a hurry.

Ok well tomorrow is another day.

Steve

 

[mayken4now]

Done and Beautiful

The 1973 A608 is completed and all put back together. She runs with such a hummmmmmmmmmmmm and not even a squeak anywhere. It sounds like it was just unpackaged from the "new " carton. Oh I was so pleased.

Ok on my way to find another one to do!!!!

Steve