Who would be interested in getting new Maytag pitman agitator shafts?

[qsd-dan]

All 1966-1989 pitman transmissions as a complete unit are compatible with each other as long you get the correct one for the tub size.

Here's the only exception: 12 series (1984-1989) upper transmission housings are not compatible with previous models. A 12 series pitman housing is only compatible with the 12 series pitman transmission. The internal gears and upper shaft are compatible with previous models.

An A613 should have an orbital transmission.

 

[chef]

Are the 12 series (1984-1989) transmissions better than previous series?

 

[lorainfurniture]

I’m having 50 made

I came to an agreement with a local fabricator. They are going to be the same material as the original. I’ll keep you all updated

 

[bradfordwhite]

What have you been quoted?

What's their delivery time?

 

[lorainfurniture]

I’m probably going to have to sell them at a bit over $100 per shaft. Eta 7-9 weeks.

 

[hosertp]

I’m probably going to have to sell them at a bit over $100

I am interested in a complete upper housing with a functioning agitator shaft for an A512 (my favored/easiest path of restoration)

OR

I will remove the pin and un-seize the shaft if I know that you still have your re-manufactured upper agitator shaft available.

Some folks on this thread, as I have read the entire conversation, have given me sage advice on my "Maytag A512 spins but won't agitate" thread. Very much appreciated! I just need to know what's available in order to determine my path to restore my Pitman transmission. If I have a replacement shaft, I am going to need to hear from someone who knows the right way to remove the pin with the least amount of collateral damage?

Please let me know what parts are available. Thank you all in advance,
Paul

 

[qsd-dan]

The shaft is one obstacle. The sleeve bearings are generally damaged as they're much softer than the shaft. Sometimes you can get away with reusing them but most of the time there's enough wear that it makes a racket during agitation when reassembled, even with a new shaft. A good machine shop should be able make and properly fit new sleeve bearings and maybe fix the shaft by welding and re-machining the wear/corrosion areas.

The groove pin is another obstacle. They're difficult to remove (post 1974's are much easier), re-install and are not reusable. The service manual calls for banging them out with a hammer and punch but I had better luck pressing them out which prevents damaging the shaft, sleeve bearings, and the possibility of staking the groove pin if it mushrooms during the removal/installation process. Finding a new groove pin will be a task, they were obsoleted in May of 2015 and parts dried up very quickly after that.

I have toyed around with making new shafts, sleeve bearings, groove pins, clutch washers, and the Delrin pinion gears before 2020 but I think costs would now far exceed what most would be willing to pay with the large increase of pricing the last 4 years. Damaged/seized upper shaft and upper sleeve bearing is the main reason these washers are trashed.

 

[kb0nes]

I would really like to one of these shafts in person or see a drawing of one from someone that can measure and document it. It really doesn't look all that hard to duplicate one. I'm sitting here in a short run / prototype CNC shop currently. We specialize in making parts like these in small quantities for a reasonable cost. Many machine shops that run higher quantities just can't bid onesie twosie quantities reasonably because they don't understand making a part without fixturing it for production.

View attachment kb0nes-2024012917513408947_1.jpg

 

[swestoyz]

Phil, if you like I can bring you an NOS shaft next time I'm up in the Twin Cities.

Ben

 

[kb0nes]

Ben,

I would like to see one I suppose. I talked to John last night and it sounds as if Eugene had some made already so perhaps this is a non-issue now. Sounds as if they were made of steel though, I would have used stainless to avoid the need for plating/coating.

Happy New Year!

Phil

 

[qsd-dan]

Nothing wrong with a bit of competition, especially in the quality department.

I can send you an NOS pitman shaft, NOS orbital shaft, NOS EJN wringer shaft, NOS EJN upper/lower sleeve bearings (the lower sleeve bearing is shared with auto's from 1956-1989), NOS groove pin, NOS brass and steel clutch washers. I can even send you an NOS Delrin pinion gear (used from 1949-1989) if you fool around with that material.

Hell, I have entire NOS pitman gear sets, too, but probably not worth the effort. They rarely wear out unless run dry. Also have NOS orbital gears (Delrin) and yoke.

 

[combo52]

Reply number 49

Hi Dan, unfortunately, there’s very little demand for any of these parts. Those of us who really need them already have them, and they still can be found.

Minor note, the AMPs did not use a Delrin pinion gear. I don’t even think Delrin had been invented yet not sure about that, however the later Delrin ring might by fit those early washers. But the original machines used a fiber gear.

Maytag used a nonmetal gear because they just used straight cut gears and it would be too noisy for the main pinion gear Which travels at the fastest speed. Whirlpool got around this problem by using a helical cut gears.

John

 

[qsd-dan]

Yeah, AMPS used the fiber pinion as well as the helicals into the early 60's but the Delrin gear is backwards compatible.

 

[swestoyz]

Oh, if Eugene has already gone down this path (had not heard that he had successfully gotten this sourced out?), there's no need then for Phil to go through the same exercise.

Dan, surprised you suggested the E/J/N shaft. Have you checked out any of the parts available from Cottage Craft Works? Looks like they offer one for about 55 bucks. Would be hard pressed to find someone to make one in a small batch, for less.

https://cottagecraftworks.com/maytag-wringer-washer-center-assembly-parts

I spent a few minutes last night going through the archives. I could have sworn I found an off the shelf groove pin replacement and commented about it on a similar thread a few years ago, but alas I couldn't find it. I could go and re-measure an NOS pin to see what the specs are. If it's somewhat standard I don't see why we couldn't use a generic replacement.

I also recall Dan that you mentioned the lower bushing from the automatic transmission was the same used on the E, from the A4927 set. What are the specs on the top bushing? Again, I wouldn't be surprised if it's not too far off from a common or generic sized bushing/t bushing. If I'm wrong, please correct my assumptions.

Ben

EDIT - per the parts manuals, the 210183 groov-pin is 1/4" x 1-1/8"[this post was last edited: 1/30/2024-21:16]

 

[combo52]

Reproduced, Maytag wringer washer, agitator shaft

Hi Ben, I wonder if that shaft is made of stainless steel it looks nice, I’m assuming the wringer washer, agitator shaft is shorter than the automatic. If it was long enough, you could drill an extra hole through it.

John

 

[jons1077]

I’d be interested

I only have one Maytag, a 1970 Model 806. Never know when I might need the parts.