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djkeev
Samba Moderator
Joined: September 30, 2007
Posts: 32625
Location: Reading Pennsylvania
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zozo
Samba Member
Joined: October 15, 2005
Posts: 5217
Location: South of Ol' San Antonio
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 Posted: Sat Mar 23, 2013 12:40 pm Post subject: |
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I've not done that specific repair, but I've eeked out 5+ years from our dryer, washer, refrigerator, and stove. They eventually do go tango uniform, but he'll, 5 years extra is quite a savings, and they're not rocket science.
The hardest part with a washing machine is getting inside the damn things. |
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djkeev
Samba Moderator
Joined: September 30, 2007
Posts: 32625
Location: Reading Pennsylvania
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Tram
Samba Socialist
Joined: May 02, 2003
Posts: 22727
Location: Still Feelin' the Bern- Once you've felt it you can't un- feel it.
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| Posted: Sat Mar 23, 2013 1:39 pm Post subject: |
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| djkeev wrote: |
This Washer is about 10 years old, it has led a Gentle life serving two "old" people for the first 8 years............and than my Daughters family of 6 moved in two years ago................ Everyday, many times a day!
The Repair?
Actually I'm done! It was harder thinking of doing the repair than actually making the repair!
It took well under an hour!  . No cuts, no cussing, no throwing tools! For once.......something was designed well and it all fit!
The problem was the coupling fits onto a shaft with flattened sides 180* from each other. The plastic wore and became a round bore.
The new parts have Metal reinforcements! Hope they hold up!
Dave |
I did that to mine last year- so far, so good!
_________________
Немає виправдання для війни! Я з Україною.
| Bryan67 wrote: |
| Just my hands. And a little lube. No tools. |
To best contact me, please use the EMAIL function in my profile |
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OB Bus
Samba Member
Joined: February 09, 2003
Posts: 2541
Location: Ocean Beach in Beautiful BLUE California
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| Posted: Sat Mar 23, 2013 1:48 pm Post subject: |
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My washer/dryer/vacuum cleaner repairs skills are limited at best. I have found that the various online appliance repair forums are really good and informative. In the past few years I have managed to do any number of "small" repairs. For many of these I most likely would have replaced the entire appliance rather than start paying overpriced repair people to swap parts.
As noted washers and dryers are really pretty simple things and most every part I have needed has been available either locally or on line.
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Larry in OB
Stop dead photo links! Post your photos to The Samba Gallery!
69 Westfalia and 2002 Eurovan Camper. |
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Dave
Samba Elder
Joined: July 11, 2002
Posts: 2693
Location: The Forest Moon of Endor, in the Redwoods
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| Posted: Sat Mar 23, 2013 2:42 pm Post subject: |
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I acquired, many years ago, an ol O'Keefe and Merritt gas stove, white porcelain/enamel, griddle in the middle, old late 40's early 50's style. I had it all the years I lived in SoCal, and actually hade our kitchen cabinets up here designed for the 40" wide opening for the stove ("36 is the norm for cabinet openings). Moved the stove up here on the assurances that "Oh, yeah, we can make it work", and once I made the special, 880 mile one way trip to deliver it, I got "well, that's LPG, we don't have LPG here, all we have is propane, that ain't gonna work" so I jumped on the net, and 15 minutes later had a valve on the way, that has a dial..one way says "LPG" and the other "PRO. I switched it to "PRO, told them to hook it inline with the propane line to the stove, and whaddya know? works like a champ.
Now, here, about 2 months ago, I noticed the knobs were getting harder and harder to turn, to the point that I was worried about the knobs breaking....then, I noticed the Propane smell coming from the stove..... now I HAVE to do something. Called all the Appliance places, and every one of them said "we don't know anything about them, it's too old, throw it away and let us sell you a new model, guaranteed for 5 years"...so off to the internet I go again...found a place in Ontario, CA, that was willing to talk to me...I called them on the phone, and they asked me when the last time was the valves had been greased....I said for sure not in the last 25 years, and probably quite a while before that, as it came out of a rental, and I doubled the landlord did much to it...the guy on the phone asks "have any of the knobs broken yet" and I said no, he says "good, they can probably still be greased" o I buy this expensive super duper neato bitchin' grease, pull the front of the stove off, pull the stems of the valves out, lube them up wuth the super duper grease concoction, re-assemble it, and....no more propane smell, easy to turn knobs, works like new. Guess I'll be doing it gain in another 5 years...I guess ALL gas stoves should be lubed like that, every 5 years, according to this guy..I sure as hell didn't know that...
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2003 Samba Chummie Winner- Best Story
"Those that matter, don't mind,
and those that mind, don't matter" |
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69 Jim
Samba Member
Joined: September 27, 2004
Posts: 6264
Location: Chickengeorge's Neighbor
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| Posted: Sat Mar 23, 2013 4:46 pm Post subject: |
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The drive coupler pictured is a very common replacement part. Several years ago Whirlpool/Kenmore started this new "Direct Drive" model stating to prospective customers that the new design eliminates the need for a repairman to come out and replace a worn belt costing the consumer big $$$. Instead they actually will have to replace the coupler for about the same fees. 
About every five years or so it is very important to also cut 3/8" or so off of each end of the clear tubing that goes from the water level switch to the bulb on the outer tub at approx. the 2:00 position. Many times I have seen the tube become stretched out at the ends where it connects causing it to come loose. When that happens, your washer doesn't stop filling with water until you're standing in puddles and it's way too late. Your insurance agent will arrive in a day or two to observe the extensive damage. It seems to happen after the DIY'er leans the machine back to repair the pump or coupler or whatever.
Here is a picture of the water level switch, tubing and dome:
http://fixitnow.com/wp/2010/01/08/whirlpool-kenmor...e-no-spin/ |
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69 Jim
Samba Member
Joined: September 27, 2004
Posts: 6264
Location: Chickengeorge's Neighbor
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| Posted: Sat Mar 23, 2013 5:01 pm Post subject: |
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| Dave wrote: |
| I got "well, that's LPG, we don't have LPG here, all we have is propane, that ain't gonna work" so I jumped on the net, and 15 minutes later had a valve on the way, that has a dial..one way says "LPG" and the other "PRO. I switched it to "PRO, told them to hook it inline with the propane line to the stove, and whaddya know? |
"LPG" is propane. |
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Dunebubby
Samba Thread Killer
Joined: October 12, 2006
Posts: 882
Location: In my den,throwing darts at a picture of my ex-boss
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| Posted: Sat Mar 23, 2013 5:41 pm Post subject: |
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| 69 Jim wrote: |
| Dave wrote: |
| I got "well, that's LPG, we don't have LPG here, all we have is propane, that ain't gonna work" so I jumped on the net, and 15 minutes later had a valve on the way, that has a dial..one way says "LPG" and the other "PRO. I switched it to "PRO, told them to hook it inline with the propane line to the stove, and whaddya know? |
"LPG" is propane. |
Man,....Your callin' out Dave? Expect your subscription to become unstable....
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"We buy things we don't need,..with money we don't have,...to impress people we don't even like". |
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k.t.
Samba Member
Joined: August 16, 2012
Posts: 102
Location: kitsap peninsula, washington state
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| Posted: Sat Mar 23, 2013 5:47 pm Post subject: |
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| OB Bus wrote: |
My washer/dryer/vacuum cleaner repairs skills are limited at best. I have found that the various online appliance repair forums are really good and informative. In the past few years I have managed to do any number of "small" repairs. For many of these I most likely would have replaced the entire appliance rather than start paying overpriced repair people to swap parts.
As noted washers and dryers are really pretty simple things and most every part I have needed has been available either locally or on line. |
I have found that you tube is an amazing wealth of tutorials! Replaced my garbage disposal last winter at the directions of Herr professor you tube!  |
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Dave
Samba Elder
Joined: July 11, 2002
Posts: 2693
Location: The Forest Moon of Endor, in the Redwoods
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| Posted: Sat Mar 23, 2013 8:33 pm Post subject: |
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| Dunebubby wrote: |
| 69 Jim wrote: |
| Dave wrote: |
| I got "well, that's LPG, we don't have LPG here, all we have is propane, that ain't gonna work" so I jumped on the net, and 15 minutes later had a valve on the way, that has a dial..one way says "LPG" and the other "PRO. I switched it to "PRO, told them to hook it inline with the propane line to the stove, and whaddya know? |
"LPG" is propane. |
Man,....Your callin' out Dave? Expect your subscription to become unstable.... |
No, he's right. That, along with numerous grammatical and spelling mistakes, show that I was in a hurry to get that typed, and not enough time to spell check.
LPG is Propane LNG is Liquid Natural Gas, and the valve on the back of the stove does, in fact (I just looked to amek sure I don't f up again) say "LPG" and *NOT* PRO 
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2003 Samba Chummie Winner- Best Story
"Those that matter, don't mind,
and those that mind, don't matter" |
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BG Brian
Samba Member
Joined: July 25, 2010
Posts: 175
Location: sw washington
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| Posted: Mon Mar 25, 2013 10:21 pm Post subject: |
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| I had the same coupler on a Kenmore.After the third time it sheared I scrapped the washer and bought a cheap belt driven admiral washer Two teenagers that liked to wash every pair of their jeans an all the towels at once With the water set on low.Seems like it was around 80 buks to get a guy out to fix it. |
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sloans265
Samba Member
Joined: October 24, 2004
Posts: 1321
Location: 32207
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| Posted: Tue Mar 26, 2013 11:14 am Post subject: |
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| 69 Jim wrote: |
| The drive coupler pictured is a very common replacement part. Several years ago Whirlpool/Kenmore started this new "Direct Drive" model stating to prospective customers that the new design eliminates the need for a repairman to come out and replace a worn belt costing the consumer big $$$. Instead they actually will have to replace the coupler for about the same fees. / |
As an appliance repair tech,I actually do this repair a couple of times a week. With prices varying from under a $100 to upwards of $175 in some homes.
The most common failure on the Whirlpool direct drive is gonna be the lid switch. Followed by coupler. If you open up the lid and the agitator spins freely in either direction, the agitator "dogs" are worn out and need replacing.
These machines are being phased out and the new Whirlpools are belt driven. They are pure crap!! I'm already working on machines less than 2 yrs old with complete transmission failures. Even top load washer &dryers are becoming disposable.
That cheap belt driven Admiral is actually a Maytag. HOWEVER it is a older design that holds up well.
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1970 Lotus White Panel
In search of any Pensacola Fla dealership items |
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Cusser
Samba Member
Joined: October 02, 2006
Posts: 31373
Location: Hot Arizona
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| Posted: Tue Mar 26, 2013 12:52 pm Post subject: |
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| sloans265 wrote: |
| The most common failure on the Whirlpool direct drive is gonna be the lid switch. Followed by coupler. If you open up the lid and the agitator spins freely in either direction, the agitator "dogs" are worn out and need replacing. |
Yep, had both go bad on my Whirlpool, maybe 10 years old.
Obvious thread divert:
Right now mine sometimes won't do the "spin-dry" mode unless one pushes it by hand, then it's OK. I've read posts, and someone says coupler, but it agitates just fine, and spins fine once one gets it started. Any ideas?
_________________
1970 VW (owned since 1972) and 1971 VW Convertible (owned since 1976), second owner of each. The '71 now has the 1835 engine, swapped from the '70. Second owner of each. 1988 Mazda B2200 truck, 1998 Frontier, 2014 Yukon, 2004 Frontier King Cab. All manual transmission except for the Yukon. http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/album_page.php?pic_id=335294 http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/album_page.php?pic_id=335297 |
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Major Woody
Samba Enigma
Joined: December 04, 2002
Posts: 9010
Location: Portland, OR
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| Posted: Tue Mar 26, 2013 1:27 pm Post subject: |
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I fix everything I can that's worth fixing. It has been a long time since I paid someone to come out and work on an appliance. Last two things I paid for because they involved tools and expertise I don't have:
1. AC compressor was low on refrigerant, causing coil icing. Needed evac and recharge.
2. Built-in Viking refrigerator had leak "somewhere" in coolant loop, required complete replacement of compressor, coils etc, and then testing. I was impressed with what this guy knew but the bill was truly shocking.
I agree that teh internets and especially Youtube are a tremendous resource of free and usually accurate information. This site is a prime example of how the spreading of knowledge helps everyone! |
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79SuperVert
Samba Member
Joined: May 31, 2002
Posts: 9758
Location: Elizabeth, NJ & La Isla Del Encanto
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| Posted: Tue Mar 26, 2013 1:34 pm Post subject: |
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Our Maytag washer and dryer are 28 years old. I sure hope I never have to buy a new pair. So many electronics and "luxury" features to go wrong. All I want to do is put the clothes in, close the door, turn the dial and GO.
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Central Jersey VW Society
Wanted: Art Collins VW (Savannah, Georgia) items - license plate surrounds and other items. Also ivory "AM", "FM" and "SW" buttons for a US Blaupunkt Frankfurt.
Last edited by 79SuperVert on Wed Mar 27, 2013 5:16 am; edited 1 time in total |
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sloans265
Samba Member
Joined: October 24, 2004
Posts: 1321
Location: 32207
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| Posted: Tue Mar 26, 2013 3:53 pm Post subject: |
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| Cusser wrote: |
Obvious thread divert:
Right now mine sometimes won't do the "spin-dry" mode unless one pushes it by hand, then it's OK. I've read posts, and someone says coupler, but it agitates just fine, and spins fine once one gets it started. Any ideas? |
That would be one of 3 things. Worn spin clutch or a leaking spin tube. Worst case a leaking seal in transmission. YouTube how to get into the washer. Once inside you'll be looking for any oil that is slung out inside of "body" of washer. If its dry then replace spin clutch. If its wet then you have to determine if oil is leaking DOWN out of the spin tube or coming UP out of trans into spin clutch.
To save some coin aftermarket parts are just fine for most repairs HOWEVER you should only use a factory drive coupler. Aftermarket ones suck and break cause plastic is wrong. Once installed that steel sleeve insert becomes a pain to remove.
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1970 Lotus White Panel
In search of any Pensacola Fla dealership items |
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KTPhil 
Samba Member
Joined: April 06, 2006
Posts: 34009
Location: Conejo Valley, CA
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| Posted: Tue Mar 26, 2013 4:15 pm Post subject: |
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| Any advice for the new front loaders? They look far more complex (electronics controls, not the old electric motor/gears), and of course harder to get into. I've dug into washers and dryers before and always been able to repair them using manuals or online help. But these new guys scare me... might consider the extended warranty on this purchase... |
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obus
Samba Member
Joined: March 08, 2001
Posts: 11069
Location: just off Garden State Parkway Exit 81
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Major Woody
Samba Enigma
Joined: December 04, 2002
Posts: 9010
Location: Portland, OR
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| Posted: Tue Mar 26, 2013 8:22 pm Post subject: |
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| I don't know about all new appliances. We have a set of Maytag Neptune front loaders that were built around 2003 (not terribly old) and those things are badass mofos. Never a problem, hardly use any soap, clean anything, never ever had a problem. I would not be afraid to work on them. |
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