Ya got to kiss a lot of frog(eyes)...

[mistereric]

Good morning, ladies and gents.

I've been working on my old frogeye kenmore and I've managed to get it a little closer to working, but we're still having issues.

When I got it, the motor was working but the belt wasn't moving. I had taken off the belt to see if the transmission was locked, and thankfully it wasn't. Discovered the pump was, though, so after some extensive cleaning and oiling, I got it working again... most likely still have to replace it though.

Anyway, I put the belt back on and was happy to see it agitate, slowly at first, and then after a bit it seemed about normal. Only weird thing was that the motor kept changing pitch- it would sound like a normal belt-drive for a bit, and then it seemed to overheat and switch into a higher pitched noise without the usual low growling sounds. Agitation stayed normal, though.

When we get to spin, the machine usually gives a weak start if the motor had been in standard low-growl mode. If it wasn't, I get nothing. Even when the motor is happy, it still usually takes a push to get the basket spinning, and at that, it only lasts a few seconds until the motor overheats and clicks into the weaker mode, and the basket comes to a stop.

The transmission and pump seem to move pretty freely. I've come to two possible conclusions.

1. There is a brake thats not releasing and causing the motor to have to work too hard, and it overheats partially.

or

2. The motor should be able to handle the load but it can't because its faulty.

I've cleaned off all the old gunky grease and oil and reoiled everything that seemed to need it, and regreased the wigwag assembly as best I could.

Anyone out there have any thoughts?

Thanks in advance!

 

[mistereric]

I made a little movie showing her trying to get into spin, and failing.

 

[Unimatic1140]

Hi Eric,

Since I'm at work I can't see the video now (they block out video sites) so I will make some guesses.

When the brake is engaged, the spin clutch is pulled away from the drive pulley, so unless something is completey off, your idea #1 shouldn't ever be the case in a Whirlpool/Kenmore belt drive washer. Sometimes the clutch adjustment nut is set for too much pressure and this doesn't allow the clutch to slip causing the motor to lock up during the start of spin, but this shouldn't be the case if the strange noises happen during agitation as well.

The motor sounds funny? Did you replace the belt? I suspect the motor might be having problems. I'm pretty sure you could use any motor out of any belt drive Whirlpool/Kenmore washer. Maybe a used parts place might have one.

 

[coldspot66]

Sounds like stiff bearings in the motor.

 

[gansky1]

The lid is missing!

It sounds like the motor - it's still not happy under when it has to work...

 

[jetcone]

Sounds like

water has gotten down into the agitate and spin bearings that would make it bind on spin up and jam the motor.

A big nasty job that.

Hope its a sticky slider bar instead.

 

[laundryshark]

Frog Eyed Lady

Poor thang! Sounds like she's struggling. O well. Won't be too long and you'll have her nursed back to good health before you know it. Keep up the good work.--Laundry Shark

 

[mistereric]

okay now...

So it looks like the consensus is that the motor is bad; thats not too traumatic to replace. Anyone in the nyc-metro area have a spare belt drive motor?

The next fun thing is going to be making sure I don't mess up the tub-to-pump hose, its kinda crunchy...

 

[mistereric]

oh...

and Gansky - I have the lid off to make it easier to futz with the controls... fear not, its just aside for now.

 

[coldspot66]

I do have a few belt drive motors: one and 2 speed. If it's similar to the later belt drive motors, it's yours for the cost of shipping. A pic would help. Does the motor pulley turn freely, or is it binding at all?

 

[mistereric]

thanks john!

I'll pull the motor tomorrow night and see whats going on, if it binds, and I'll get some pics.

 

[fieldguy7]

Spinning

Nice video.

I'm have a similar problem with a 33 year old Whirlpool, belt drive model LAA5800. Similar, meaning I have to give it a whirl to get her spinning. Once going it happily continues.

Bet the Frogeye is older but made by Whirlpool.

Just replaced the transmission with a rebuild and am focusing on the spin clutch/brake assembly.

Anybody know how to adjust the clutch yoke height?

Should I lightly sand the faces of the spin disk pads? They can be observed to slip when she tries to spin up. I've degreased and lightly sanded the face of the spin clutch pulley that these pads grab against.

Don't mean to draw to much attention from the Frogeye, but a spin is a spin is a spin.

In a clutch in Denver

http://www.american-appliance.com/catalog/newsdesk_info.php?newsdesk_id=144

 

[nasadowsk]

Ok, unless 'the works', i.e. the transmission and all aren't jammed up, I'm wondering if the start switch on the motor could be messed up? I'm guessing these HAVE them. If they hang up or don't close, etc, the motor might not have enough punch to start, or overheat.

If it's got a start switch, you might want to remove the motor, take it apart, and check it all, first.

 

[Unimatic1140]

Anybody know how to adjust the clutch yoke height?

I have the information posted on the Basket Drive here:
<img src = http://www.automaticwasher.org/FUN/WP3.jpg>

 

[Unimatic1140]

and

<img src = http://www.automaticwasher.org/FUN/WP4.jpg>

 

[fieldguy7]

This machine is heavy to tip when servicing

Very close photos unimatic.

I will adjust that nut downward. I also read that the transmission must be aligned properly when installing meaning you must put pressure on the gear box forcing it upward to counteract the pressure of the machine laying on its front during nut tightening. This could effectively align the spin clutch buttons so they are equidistant to the spin disk surface. Thus allowing all of the buttons to contact with equal pressure.

In your photos dated 1960 the "basket drive disk (spin clutch)" looks like a continuous ring. In addition, having an upper and lower brake assembly.

My model from 1974 consists of 3 or 4 small pads about 1/2" in diameter X 1/8" thick that drop down on to the spin disk. There is no lower brake drum. But there is the upper brake drum that stops the shaft spinning if you open the lid.

Seems the old model would have been more reliable with all that friction area. Anyway the function is the same just a slightly different design. Thanks.

The motor will be examined next nasadowsk. Thanks.

 

[fieldguy7]

Unimatic ...

There is indeed and upper and lower brake drum on the LAA5800 Whirlpool model just like the 1960 model.

I saw it today while making adjustments to the clutch yoke.

I think I adjusted it too much. But the spin cycle works now but the brake slips.

Fun... eh?

 

[mistereric]

the motor

Coldspot / John,

The motor has three terminals, C L and H, and looks exactly like the motor from roberts 1957 kenmore restoration. Looks like it was made by Packard.

 

[mistereric]

Does anyone know of a place I might source a replacement motor for my beasty?

Thanks!

 

[coldspot66]

Can you get a pic of the motor? I have a few round motors that fit 60's Kenmores and square throwaway 2 speed motors also.

 

[mistereric]

Its exactly the same as the one on the left side of this pic, from Robert's restoration. There are 3 blue wires that attach to it.

http://www.automaticwasher.org/cgi-...eded.jpg&dir=/RESTORATIONS/1957_LADY_KENMORE/

 

[coldspot66]

I do have a 2 speed motor similar to that. Here is a pic.

 

[mistereric]

Cool! Does it have a C, L and H terminal on the bottom? I would imagine my machine is a single speed, an that a dual speed motor world work just fine.

But thats a guess.

 

[coldspot66]

The terminals correspond to wire color....blue for normal speed, orange for slow speed and white for neutral. Just see which terminals on your machine correspond to those. If it has a "modern fabric" cycle, then it should be a 2 speed motor.

 

[Unimatic1140]

Eric in a Whirlpool or Kenmore if the motor has two terminals, it's a one speed machine, three terminals it's a two speed machine. Your Kenmore must have both a Normal and Modern Fabric Cycle.

 

[mistereric]

Okay great, so a two speed it is. Strange that all my wires are blue!

Yep, the machine has both a normal and a modern fabric cycle.