Whirlpool LA7800 series Agaitator/Cap Removal help.

[bgtmasters]

I recently got a fully working Whirlpool LA7800XSW0 washer. The body was pretty roached out but I am trying to at least save whatever parts I can from it but I am having trouble getting the Fabric Softener Cap/Agitator Assembly off. I have taken apart tons of washers and have never had this issue. Were these in one piece, or are they the standard ones where the Fabric Softener is supposed to come off then the upper agitator, then the lower?

I uploaded two photos, excuse the mess in the background the house I helped clean out had a good amount of vintage items and I am still going through what I was able to save from the dump.

 

[yogitunes]

well there is a slot shown in your pic for the dispenser to pop off, most times you can just tilt with enough pressure and it will pop off as well....

this looks to be a two piece agitator as well....has a lint filter built inside...most times again, this should lift off and out for cleaning...

there are ones that dont have the filter, and the bolt for holding down the base also holds this in place....

either way, by this point you should see a bolt holding it to the shaft, remove it, and lift the base out of the machine...

 

[combo52]

The whole dispenser and top should just pull up and off, use force if necessary, it could be fussed in place by scrudge.

 

John L.

 

[bgtmasters]

I appreciate the replies. I have tried wedging a screwdriver in there and other things and not only does it not pop off, it doesn't even budge or even sort of separate at all. I have gone as far as putting a rag over it and hitting it pretty hard many times with a 3lb sledge to try and get it to pop off.

I have come to two conclusions either this is one solid unit that pulls up from the bottom and pops off, or someone literally super glued the dispenser on. I'm definitely not new to removing the normal type of agitators. I do it daily. Not once have I ever had this issue, or even close to it. Trust me I've put as much force as I can on it without just smashing it.

 

[combo52]

Stuck Dispenser

I have seen MT lint filters that actually became fused together, something like this must have happened because of poor usage habits , I can assure you it is [ supposed ] lift out, it was not built in one piece, LOL

 

John L.

 

[bgtmasters]

You were right. Unfortunately the upper agitator didn't survive which was the main part I wanted to save. It gave out and broke before the Fabric Softener Dispenser did. When you said fused you weren't kidding.

 

[bradfordwhite]

"roached out" ?

I'm still freaked out about the prospect of eggs all over the outside, most likely the back and sides where it was dark and roaches can live and thrive in peace......

 

[bgtmasters]

Roached out as in rusted, not literal roaches. Just looking at the picture makes my skin crawl.

 

[DADoES]

 
I'm not intimately-familiar with that agitator design ... but kinda looks like those two screws were anchoring the upper part and it isn't supposed to pull off?

Or is there a separate latching bracket anchored on top of the base that was stuck to the removable part and broke off?

 

[bgtmasters]

The fabric softener dispenser/cap was essentially welded to the upper agitator. Its supposed to pop right out of it. Once you get the Cap/Dispenser off you can then access those two screws you put red arrows by to remove the upper agitator. Then the screw to remove the lower agitator base.

The Softener/Cap was on the upper agitator so tightly the upper agitator broke before the Softener Dispenser broke lose of the upper agitator. I've taken many of these apart before and never had any trouble getting them apart, until now.

I did finally get the dispenser separated from the upper agitator, in doing so it broke the top of the upper agitator before released. Almost looks like the plastic melted/fused together at the seam from severe friction.

 

[bradfordwhite]

"Just looking at the picture makes my skin crawl"

Pointlessly "repurposing" a word can produce that result as well.

Rust is rust. Infestation of bugs is something other.

BTW- a machine with a great deal of rust on the OUTSIDE, is bound to have similar problems on the inside, as you are finding out with parts that are seized or inordinately worn.

There are plenty of cheap or even FREE Whirlpool built top loaders on Craigs, and other listing sites, that won't be covered with rust, infested with roaches, nor require all this knuckle skinning work.

 

[bradfordwhite]

tell tale signs of scuzziness.