Turquoise Twins!

[washerlover]

So, a lovely trip to the Oregon Coast and took home a couple of souvenirs. These are what I believe to be 1964 vintage...have not tested them as of yet and still in the process of cleaning them up. Dryer is ready to go (thank you David for the lead on the lint filter) and washer ready for a water test. Washer tub seems to lean a bit to the left...not sure why. Machines are a little rough, but a thorough cleaning and waxing should help. Hope to have repainted in the future (in the same lovely shade of aqua!) Sorry for the bad photo, just parked them in one of the garage stalls to start some restoration.

 

[washerlover]

More photos

Terrible close up of washer control. The indicator at the top of the dial has a light (that does not work). Interestingly, the dryer is equipped for the same type of light, but no light is present. Must be because the dryer is a model below? (gee, I guess I should provide model numbers)

 

[washerlover]

Cheap Shot

Not too exciting -- I took the chrome agitator top off -- seems to have the usual spot for a fabric softener dispenser that is missing, of course. Tub definitely has a list to it. Have tried to push it back, but it likes the left-hand list. Any suggestions to fix? (and what the heck is wrong with my digital camera?)

 

[redcarpetdrew]

My washer tub leans to the left... Politically? LOL!

First, make sure the damper pads are in good shape. You can adjust the tub lean by adjusting the tub springs which, on this model, are down near the damper. Adjusting the nut that tightens or loosens the eyelet where the springs connect to the base will correct the lean but make sure the washer is perfectly level first...

RCD

 

[washerlover]

Damper Pads?

So, being new to Maytag world, what are damper pads? I see some kind of felt thing stuck in the base of the tub spindle that I know does not belong there...is that the problem? Otherwise, I see the springs and can adjust the tension. Never have this problem with my Norge and Wards machines..! (I'm really trying to become a Maytag fan, really!) Thought I'd throw in the last photo I took -- of the dryer. Not sure why they are so blurry; it wasn't cocktail hour yet!

 

[redcarpetdrew]

Damper pads describe the three white felt pads that are glued to the base of the washer under the aluminum damper. That is the "bowl" shaped base that the three tub support arms are bolted to. Those pads are lubricated with PolyLube (a Maytag lubricant) so that the tub can move about without shaking the whole machine. If the pads are dry, the mechanism will grab onto the base and shake the whole thing. If those dry pads are left alone too long, they can be ripped off the base, fall out then the damper is metal on metal and makes the most horrific noises! Then you will most likely have to replace the damper which is a fun job made worse by the fact that the damper on the older Maytags is different than the one used on the 06 models and up and is NLA. Finding it is a pill, let me assure you.

A healthy damper should allow you to grab the agitator with one hand and move the tub around with little effort. If you have to really muscle it, it's time to lube the pads before awfull things happen...

RCD

 

[washerlover]

Thanks for the info...looks like I've got some work ahead of me!

 

[macboy91si]

Maytags

So let me guess, the washer is an A502 and the dryer is a DE302...

These are Super Highlanders (cape optional). the Supers came in the 500 and 300 series flavor. I'm going to go out on a limb and say they are 64's by looking at the dials. The dryer is 1 step down and is timed dry, the matching dryer to this was all electronic like a 702. In fact, this washer is mechanically the same as an A702 sans bleach dispenser and light. I have a matched set of these in white, both the 502's with the suds-saver washer, which I have not seen another.

These machines look great in Turq, and I think you can get the damper situation fixed. Nice find!

-Tim

Here is a pic of my set:

 

[revvinkevin]

 

 

Wow Todd, congratulations!   Looks to be a nice set!

 

Yes, please post the full model & serial numbers, thanks!

 

Kevin

 

[turquoisedude]

OOH!  Those are nice machines, Todd!  I can't wait to see more as you work on them!

 

Does the 'diamond' shaped indicator above the timer dials light up?? 

 

Congratulations!

 

[macboy91si]

Pilots

I know at least on the washer, it should light up, I don't know if the 300 series dryer actually has the light behind it. The front fascia on the dryer is the same as the 502 diamond and all, but something makes me thing the the light is not real on those.

 

-Tim

 

[swestoyz]

Wow, what a super looking set! Tim is spot on with the models and year. Either 1964 or 1965.

The indicator light on the A502 washer will light up via a neon indicator, however the dryer will not.

Enjoy!

Ben

 

[goatfarmer]

Nice save!

 

[washerlover]

Leaks!

Washer = TA502
Dryer = DE302

Correct about the lighted indicators -- washer has bulb but does work so will try to fix. Dryer has the bracket for where the light should be but there's nothing there.

Did a water test on the washer and here's what happened:
Fill and water level checked out fine -- no leaks
Agitation worked on both speeds -- then the leaking began right under the tub where the agitator shaft goes into the outer tub
Spin only buzzes, no movement. I checked the belts, all are fine. I watched the pump during agitation, and see movement of water. Could the pump impeller be stuck?

So, not sure where to begin on the leakage problem...the pump I think I can handle.

Any suggestions are always welcome! I really am looking forward to getting this set back in proper action!

Thanks,

Todd

 

[redcarpetdrew]

Turn the trans pulley by hand. One direction will move the agitator. The other will release the tub brake and allow the tub to spin. Check for a tub that will not spin which would go hand in hand with the leaking tub seal which could have caused the tub bearing to seize. Not the end of the world! Dan and I did a how to post on changing said tub seal and bearing. It was on a 806 but it will also work for yours. It's a fun job to be sure but will help this little one last for quite a while! The only 'special' tool you'll need is the tub nut wrench but they can be found cheaply on FleaBay. One version of the tool also adapts to deal with the WP tub nut as well...

RCD

 

[washerlover]

Thank you for the information. Is this the tub nut wrench?
Thanks, Todd

Loading…

www.ebay.com

 

[macboy91si]

Neon Indicator

Hi Todd, yes this looks like the correct tool. Also the the neon indicator is wired to where it will only light up when the lid is down and the cycle dial is pulled out. It will also light up on the "OFF" position with the lid shut to remind you the machine was recently used and to get your laundry. I don't know why they did not use a small incandescent bulb in these instead of the small neon light.

-Tim

 

[washerlover]

Hey Tim, thanks for the info on the light. So how and where does one go about finding a suitable replacement?

 

[washerlover]

Washer problems

Okay, further work on the machine revealed the following:

After checking and replacing belts, everything moves and turns just fine, including the entire tub for spin cycle. However, the spin cycle does nothing now -- doesn't even buzz. Since I'm new to Maytag world, not sure where to begin.

Also, this model does not appear to have a "flip top" -- how do I remove the inner and outer tubs to fix the leak?

Thanks and hope someone can help...

Todd