WP DD Washers Not Spinning Well

[whirlcool]

I have a 1993 Whirlpool LA9800T washer that recently does not seem to extract the water from the clothing as well as it once did. As far as machine operation goes, it appears normal. The machine spins like it always has. There is no water in the drum when the spin completes. But while the clothing is not dripping wet, it is a lot wetter/heavier than it used to be. Strangely enough, my neighbor has a 2000 WP DD machine and is experiencing the same thing.
What causes this and how is it repaired?

 

[cfz2882]

not getting up to full spin speed is the only thing i can
think of-draining problems,slipping clutch,binding tub bearing,
loose tub.Will have to do a "lid up" observation.
I have a '93 DD that the top of the washtub post rusted away,
causing a loose tub-a new tub will fix mine,a junk machine
will provide the parts.

 

[whirlcool]

The washer appears to drain water well, so I am going to have to assume that it's a spin problem.
The top of my washtub post is fine. How do I check the clutch, tub bearing?

 

[surgilator_68]

I highly doubt it's the bearing.

To check the clutch you have to take the cabinet off the machine, bypass the lid switch so it will spin. Set the machine to spin and watch the clutch hub. It's spinning at full speed but the tub is not then the clutch pads are worn. If the hub is not spinning or spinning slow then the problem is in the transmission or the brakes are dragging. Given the age of your machine I would say the clutch is worn if it's had a lot of use. Just drop the tranny, pop off the clutch pack, put on a new one and reassemble.

Also check to see if the clutch is saturated with oil. If it is you have a bad seal on the tranny.

 

[whirlcool]

Is there a service manual I can find somewhere that would detail this operation, or is there any book you can recommend?

While I have only done one minor repair on a washer, I feel I would need directions to do this correctly? Are clutch pads an easy replacement? I am pretty mechanically inclined.

Thanks again to all who have helped me out so far.

 

[whirlcool]

I am wondering if I should just overhaul the insides of my machine, new coupler, new transmission & clutch. They seem to be cheap enough. Would I get another 17 years out of the machine?

It's one of the Whirlpool Electronic control models. Are these somewhat collectible?

 

[cfz2882]

that's a cool DD-never seen one with chrome-trimmed electronic
panel. since my '93DD is partly dissasembled,i will look over
the clutch to see if i can think of anything for you to check.
If the coupler has never been serviced on your machine,it
almost certainly bad,i have not heard of tranny problems with
the DD,so probably no problems there.One problem developing
with mine is the motor's centrifugal switch mechanism is
slightly loose on the shaft and and will need secured with a
little shot of super glue(common problem with '90s-2000s
emerson motors)also check pump seal for evidence of seepage.
I'd say it would likely run another 17yrs after repairs-
well worth fixing and DDs are easy.

 

[whirlcool]

This model appears to be pretty rare. It was CR's best TL machine in 93. I had to special order it. I've only heard of one or two people who have ever seen one before. I always wondered why CR would review a machine that isn't that common.

I had the drive coupler replaced in 96' due to washing queen size comforters in the machine, no problems with that ever since. The comforters now go to the laundromat. The serviceman was somewhat taken aback by this model too. He said he heard that they existed, but has never seen one.

It's been a great machine and it was one of WP's attempts at a energy efficient machine. It only takes 29 gallons of water per cycle. Plus, it's a super capacity.

 

[gyrafoam]

You don't need an A&P to do it! Jason will walk you through it and he works on this stuff every day.
You'll be fine, and you would certainly want to restore this machine.

 

[whirlcool]

Thanks for the encouragement. Which Jason do you mean, we have a few here.

If I am going to overhaul this machine, what parts should I order? Names are good enough, I can look up the part numbers myself.

 

[gyrafoam]

Jason=Surgilator 68!

 

[dnastrau]

That machine is a real keeper...

...in my opinion. It has to be quite rare already! Do you have the matching dryer too?

 

[whirlcool]

Yes, we have the LE9800XSNO matching dryer. It has been totally trouble free since new.

I have a web page detailing the set that I put up several years ago. The control panel is in much better shape in person than it looks in the photos. The flash brought out all the microscratches, etc.

http://www.dual-reference.com/Wash/Whirlpool.htm