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Repair or Replace? Kenmore/Whirlpool Direct Drive Washer

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Posted: Tue Feb 19th, 2008 10:22 pm

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leahm
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I have a 10ish year old Kenmore toploader. We use it heavily (4+ loads a day) I've been through several minor repairs, with relatively few problems. It isn't running well now, and my preliminary troubleshooting leads me to believe that the transmission is on its way out. It appears that a new transmission is about $150.00 plus the time to replace it, or the money to pay someone else to do it for me.

I've recently become employed after years of being a destitute SAHM. (More beer money for my hubby!) So I am shorter on time and have a little spare change. Woohoo!

So in this situation, what would you laundry experts recommend? Fix old (not so) reliable, or get a fancy new front loader?

Last edited on Tue Feb 19th, 2008 10:30 pm by leahm

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Posted: Tue Feb 19th, 2008 10:47 pm

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applianceman18007260692
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This machine is worth hanging on to. What you have ther is the equivilent of a 1955 thunderbird classic. Sleek elegant and cheap to fix! Ford man here. Anyway this machine may just need a little TLC. If you can change a sparkplug you can change this tranny

Take out the agitator(1 bolt). Take out the tranny (3 Bolts) it is that easy. This washer has is a very good machine! But it has 3 tiny little probs that are easy to fix!

This washer has some dogs in the 2 part agitator that wear out Cost 5 bucks. It has a drive coupling(around 15 bucks) and the pump tends to leak over 10 years time. Each one of these things are easy to fix. This washer was built to be fixed without having to move it. How? You simply flip up the control(timer panel)remove the S clips on the back wall and unplug the lid switch quick connector and guess what?

The case comes off! without having to move the machine you can access the innards and replace them. Like a computer,all of these parts just plug and play! You litterally can repair this washer with a pair of pliers and a screwdriver.

What with the way they make thangs nowadays I would say you need to see about fixing this puppy. It is a DIY dream.

Last edited on Wed Feb 20th, 2008 12:38 am by applianceman18007260692

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Posted: Wed Feb 20th, 2008 12:21 am

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RegUS_PatOff
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what problems is it having now ?

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Posted: Wed Feb 20th, 2008 02:10 am

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leahm
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Thanks for the thoughts so far.

The entire operation is louder than it was before and it seems to be losing power when it agitates and spins. Like the agitation isn't as strong as it was before, and it doesn't spin as quickly as it used to.

A year and a half ago I replaced something in the motor. It was a little roundish piece, if I remember correctly. Not real helpful, huh.

I know I just need to tear into the thing, but I don't have time for the next few days. And if I open it up, I will get terribly behind in the laundry.

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Posted: Wed Feb 20th, 2008 10:57 am

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applianceman18007260692
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That is the drive coupling. easy fix.after you get the case of you simply unclip the pump and set it to the side and unplug the motor and unclip it. it will then come right out and you will see the problem. The hardest thing about it is lining up the new part.

If you have done it before it is easy, make sure all of the old part has been removed.

A lady came by my store one day and bought a coupling. I explained to her just what to do.The next day she called me and said the part would not fit. I told it may be a bit snug but I assured her it would. Another day went by and she called back,said she had given up and would I mind coming by after work? Well cutting into my beer time ain't my idea of fun but I went by there just to see what was going on. Turns out she had not removed the old piece fron the tranny, And since the new piece had a different design she had no way of knowing that was not part of the tranny. It took me 10 seconds to fix it. Hey When my beer time is being cut into I tend to get a bit antsy!. Beer is what built the pyramids you know. It's America's fuel! LOL

Attachment: coupling.jpg (Downloaded 135 times)

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Posted: Wed Feb 20th, 2008 01:09 pm

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leahm
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That is the round thing that I replaced before.

At least the fix is cheap and easy!

I'll try that before I delve into a new transmission, or a new washer.

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Posted: Wed Feb 20th, 2008 01:46 pm

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RegUS_PatOff
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older style coupler

NEW! Metal sleeves for added strength.
Drive motor to transmission coupling, replaces all previous styles and versions. (for direct-drive washers with no belt)

click on picture

Last edited on Wed Feb 20th, 2008 01:50 pm by RegUS_PatOff

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Posted: Thu Feb 21st, 2008 01:50 am

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leahm
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I got it out. It looks bad, but not terrible. Is this the likely cause of my problems, or do I need to keep digging?

Last edited on Thu Feb 21st, 2008 01:53 am by leahm

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Posted: Thu Feb 21st, 2008 01:57 am

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appl.tech.29501
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Your motor coupler isn't bad...if you are getting weak agitation and a weak spin either you have two different problems (agitator dogs and clutch) or you have 1 bad problem (transmission)

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Posted: Thu Feb 21st, 2008 02:05 am

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applianceman18007260692
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You need to grab the shaft on the motor and see if is has sloppy movement or any side to side movement. Next try and run the motor while it is NOT connected to the machine. See if it makes noise or humms or is kinda sluggish.

NOTE: you will need to jump out the lid swich to do this test. Jump out the 2 gray wires. the green wire is only for grounding and not used in this test.

Last edited on Thu Feb 21st, 2008 02:11 am by applianceman18007260692

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Posted: Thu Feb 21st, 2008 02:22 am

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leahm
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The shaft doesn't seem sloppy and there is definitely not any side to side movement. When I turn it on it seems to be turning rapidly. It makes a humming sound, but it just sounds like a motor to me.

The motor shaft was really easy to turn.

Clear as mud, yes?

I'm looking now to see what agitator dogs and clutch are...

Last edited on Thu Feb 21st, 2008 02:25 am by leahm

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Posted: Thu Feb 21st, 2008 07:11 am

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Budget Appliance Repair
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The third piece over in your picture, how about taking another picture of just that one more straight on.

It looks like the center shaft hole is at least partially rounded out.

Put that piece back on the transmission input shaft and try to turn it by hand, does it actually turn the transmission or does it just spin on the input shaft?

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Posted: Thu Feb 21st, 2008 11:31 am

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leahm
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I tried both pieces on the transmission shaft, and they both turn the transmission. They fit quite snugly actually.

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Posted: Thu Feb 21st, 2008 02:31 pm

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applianceman18007260692
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Is their an appliance boneyard near you. A used tranny cost about 40 bucks here.

Say how about going into the transmission and replacing a cheap part. could you do that? Most of these transmissions have a small plastic pawl that gets all smashed down and fails to make the washer spin. It is located benieth the main drive gear.

The main drive gear has a keeper . get that off and gently raise the gear up and just give it a peek. the pawl looks like this:

Attachment: spin pawl.jpg (Downloaded 109 times)

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Posted: Thu Feb 21st, 2008 05:01 pm

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leahm
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I could probably get into the transmission later this weekend.

This morning I got a new drive coupler and installed it. I figure it is cheap, easy and it can't hurt. I've now run through an entire cycle, paying very close attention to all the creaks and groans. During agitation there is an intermittent squeal. When it spins the squeal becomes steady. Does that shed anymore light?

Oh and because this has turned into full fledged repair talk: Model # 110.26912691

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Posted: Thu Feb 21st, 2008 05:36 pm

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applianceman18007260692
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Is it washing clothes?

Is it fixed?

other than the noise?

Last edited on Thu Feb 21st, 2008 05:37 pm by applianceman18007260692

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Posted: Sat Feb 23rd, 2008 10:43 pm

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DylanConner
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As an appliance tech I love direct drive washers like the one you have. However, If it were my machine and I did 4+ loads a day, I would not waste $150.00+ on a transmission, clutch, coupling, and whatever else could be getting worn out. 10 years is a good run for a heavily used washer. Whirlpool still makes these washers under many brand names and they make a pretty reliable front loader too. My point is if you put $150.00 into this unit and the motor, timer, basket drive, or any other part goes out you will be wishing you just bit the bullet and purchased a new unit.

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Posted: Sun Feb 24th, 2008 12:01 am

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applianceman18007260692
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2 year old front loader troubles verses what you have now. What do you think?

Hint: remember you own your old machine. this here frontloader is 1200 dollars

Attachment: front load 3.jpg (Downloaded 95 times)

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Posted: Sun Feb 24th, 2008 12:39 am

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FREONBOB
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ten years ,four loads a day ! that WAS a great washer . these whirlpools are great , cheep and easy to fix , but everthing wears out . before you put money into this one think about getting another just like the one you have . newspapers are full of this washer for 25-50 bucks chances are none of them have as much use as yours . if your washer lives inside your house ( here in arizona a lot of them live on porches or in sheds ) replace the water pump right away that way it cant leak . just use your head , check it out make sure it works , buy from a seller in a better part of town someone that wants a new washer , one to match there new drapes AND HAPPY WASHING

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Posted: Sun Feb 24th, 2008 02:50 am

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DylanConner
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I love direct drives as much as the next guy, but you have to admit, the Duet has been a pretty good machine. This picture is not the status quo for a two year old unit. Even if you replaced a ten year old direct drive with a new direct drive washer you are only $150.00 or possibly less away from a new one with a factory warranty by the time you put on a gear case, clutch, coupling and pump and thats assuming you do the work yourself.

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