VMW washers and bearing failures - all equally problematic?

[leemichaelb]

Hello -
I have a 5-6 yo Maytag Centennial VMW-based washer with a wash plate. It is exhibiting all the symptoms of a main bearing failure, and though it is theoretically DIY repairable I just don't have the time/energy for one more project. And I don't want to pour money into repairing a washer that was never particularly good at washing anyway.

My question:
Are all VMW-based designs equally susceptible to this failure mode? Or is this a pattern specific to just the VMW wash plate models? I see the new commercial-style Maytag (VMW platform with an agitator) is highly regarded around here, but I'd hate to buy another machine based on this platform if it is just going to fail after 5 or 6 years.

Thank you all for the advice!!
FWIW - the washer is used in my tenant rental unit, so it is subject to heavy use - cheap detergent, not always selecting the right cycle, etc... I'm not sure if this has contributed to the early demise of the Maytag... but regardless, it is sort of disappointing. Looking to do better second time around...

 

[henene4]

5-6 years is about right for a Whirlpool VMW toploader. In a heavy use enviroment it's actually quite decent.

Keep in mind these were always the lower end designs of WP. And for a washer that shouldn't have been more than 500$, 5 years is pretty decent.

 

[combo52]

Main Seal And Bearing Failures In A VMW Washer

We really don't know what the average life of these parts yet and while it is not unheard of in a heavily used 5 YO machine only a very small % of machines this age have failed.

Yes you can repair this yourself, but with the part costing more than $250 it is probably not worth it.

The Commercial Quality Maytag washer with the 5 year warranty has a better seal design and should last longer and you are correct that using too little and or cheap detergent will cause this type of failure much sooner.

If you are going to have this property for the long haul a SQ TL or better yet FL washer will be less expensive and much less troublesome, or consider giving the tenant a credit and let them get and maintain their machine.

John L.