Yet another Maytag Neptune bearing replacement

[db130]

Back in 2016, I purchased a Maytag Neptune (MAH5500BWW) for $50 on Craigslist.

Other than it needing a new tub seal, it worked okay, and it has since run hundreds of loads. I mentioned the washer briefly here: https://www.automaticwasher.org/cgi-bin/TD/TD-VIEWTHREAD.cgi?64365

It has never been a quiet machine, with it roaring like a jet engine during the final spin, but then the plastic outer edge of the tub started to grind against the door recently, leaving plastic shavings here and there. I ordered the factory seal kit (p/n 12002022) from a seller on eBay for $60.57+tax. I also ordered the two SFK bearings (6206-RS and 6207-RS) from a different eBay seller for about $12 each.

Both packages showed up this weekend and I decided to tackle the job yesterday. The inner bearing came off in one piece. The outer bearing came off in pieces, and I ended up having to cut a notch with a Dremel before it cried uncle.

I ended up cutting the handle of my 3 pound sledgehammer so that I could install the new bearing seal. I also cleaned the tub pieces while I was in there since they were both kind of gross.

I've run two loads since, and I didn't realize that the washer is supposed to be this quiet. I can just barely hear it from one floor up.

 

[combo52]

Yay, good repair job,

One of the bearings may have been slightly damaged when you installed them the last time and then they’re very noisy, but they should be extremely quiet as you now have.

You should definitely consider using hot water better detergent or more of it and maybe some chlorine bleach. I certainly wouldn’t want to wear any underwear or socks that came out of that washer. You should not get any type of buildup in the outer tub like that the gunk also leads to seal failure and then bearing failure.

John

 

[ryner1988]

Congratulations, glad you got your machine working properly.

I believe I may have used Maytag Neptunes in the past, and just didn't realize what they were. Was there a such thing as more BOL Neptunes?

When I was a student at the Indiana School for the Blind, each dormitory had a washer and dryer, and in the early 2000's, some of the more ancient washers were replaced with either basic Whirlpool direct drive TL's or these FL's that had a flat metal door. They had six preset options on the control panel, if memory serves those were: "Whites, Darks (that one may have been called colors, not really sure), Brights, Permanent Press, Wool, and Delicates. There were no temp or spin speed controls, as everything was built into those preset options. Were these early iterations of BOL Neptunes, or am I thinking of something else entirely?

Ryne

 

[cfz2882]

distinct motor sound-early Neptunes with SR motor

Did you hear a "UFO liftoff" motor sound as the spin runup began? The distinct sound of "switched reluctance" motor.My '98 Neptune 3000 has this motor.

 

[db130]

@combo52,
This was my first bearing job on this particular washer, so the bearings that I removed are presumed to be the original. I have replaced tub bearings once before on a Frigidaire-built front loader, so I knew what I was getting into.

I do use bleach occasionally, and I'll also use the cycle with hot water more frequently going forward.

@Ryne,
Your dorms back in the day might have had the Maytag Neptune Commercial washer, like the MAH21PDDWW.

@cfz2882,
If the "UFO liftoff" sounds like the one in this video, then yes:



That video's before and after footage mirror my experience.

 

[christfr]

thats a fun job. only did that once. but love the machine.