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Phoenix_Rising
Apprentice Appliantologist
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Posted: Tue May 6th, 2008 16:01 |
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I've searched the forums for an answer, but I'm running out of time. Would someone please give me an opinion on this old Whirlpool LA7800XT direct drive washer I was given?
It spins fine with nothing in it but water, but I've done three real loads now and can't get the tub to stop rockin' and a knockin' while spinning with a load - even a light well distributed one. Also, I can move the tub far enough to hit the sides of the basket with just one hand.
I know I verified the suspention springs were in place when I pulled the cover to do the first check-up, but I don't remember if I also checked for a tub balancing spring, or not.
1) I'll re-check for the tub balancing spring, and the only other causes I can think of are weak (old) suspention springs and/or the upper and lower base pads. If the base pads have become glazed - with oil, or soap possibly, then I could try sanding the existing pads first.
But could something like that alone, fix this? It's important because I'm on Disability, and only have a tiny budget to live on (which is why I haven't had a washer for over 5 years).
Or, since I need to order a new motor coupling and agitator dogs anyway, would you maybe say that...
...weakening old springs (or base pads?) are the typical cause of spin knocking like this, so I should just order the new suspention springs, or the base pads, or both springs and base pads? Or are there any other ideas?
2) And finally, this washer is actually a Kenmore model, which does not come with Whirlpool's fabric softener dispenser - just a flat cap on top of the agitator. So I was wondering if later on, I could just add a Whirlpool dispenser, along with the inner cap & seal that goes under it,...
...or are there some other differences that would prevent me from using the Whirlpool parts to add a softener dispenser to my machine?
And thanks to our Guru,  Samori, for these forums!
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denrayr
Sublime Master of Appliantology
| Joined: | Wed Mar 30th, 2005 |
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Posted: Tue May 6th, 2008 18:30 |
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| i have only had to replace those suspension pads once, they rarely go bad. At rest does the tub lean to one side? How sturdy is the floor the washer is sitting on? what is the condition of the rubber foot pads? I would scuff up the rubber foot pads a little bit with emery cloth then clean them and the floor with rubbing alcohol and re-test the machine. A good grip on the floor is essential for these washers to maintain a good balance during spin
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Phoenix_Rising
Apprentice Appliantologist
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Posted: Tue May 6th, 2008 20:53 |
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The tub balancing spring is in place, the lower base pads look glazed, but otherwise they're thick enough. I couldn't see the upper base pads because it's sitting outside, and the sun's too bright right now to see past the glare.
And you're right denrayr, the tub does rest with the top of the agitator just under two inches off center to the left or right, or toward any corner, and is a bit less off front to rear!
It was sitting on 1 1/2"+ chiped granite rock when I ran it, but I had settled it pretty good first, and could tell it would still move and shake out of balance even if it was on the slab floor it will be moved to after I replace the needed parts.
This will include the front feet, but not at the prices for actual replacements! They want $5.11 for Each foot and Each lock-nut that the foot screws into! I can't afford that, so instead I'll use Aircraft nuts and carriage or fender bolts, with rubber pads glued on with Barge contact cement.
Last edited on Tue May 6th, 2008 21:02 by Phoenix_Rising
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Pegi
Fellow, Academy of Sublime Masters of Appliantology
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| Location: | Wichita Falls, Texas USA |
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Posted: Tue May 6th, 2008 20:56 |
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| Have you checked the drive block the spin basket sits on, if it is worn out the spin basket would be turning on the two tabs of the spin tube and would be making the knocking noise you describe...
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Pegi
Fellow, Academy of Sublime Masters of Appliantology
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Posted: Tue May 6th, 2008 21:01 |
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This is what a good drive block would look like...
http://www.repairclinic.com/referral.asp?R=154&N=2858
Last edited on Mon May 12th, 2008 12:13 by
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Phoenix_Rising
Apprentice Appliantologist
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Posted: Wed May 7th, 2008 10:10 |
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The tub seems very firm on the drive shaft, Pegi. But I've been trying all afternoon to get that damn spanner nut off with a punch & my 3 lb. hammer, so I can check the drive block as you suggest I should - and to get at the gunk that needs to be cleaned out from beneath it. But no go so far. I'm hoping to barrow another 3 lb'er from a friend of mine so I can get an even bite on it from opposite sides and crack it loose.
By the way, I accidentally over tightened the 7/8" bolt holding the agitator down, and it bit clean through the rubber sealing washer that goes under it! And I didn't really turn it very hard at all. Does anyone know how many inch pounds that screw is supposed to get? Should I use locktite also, since it can only be tightened very lightly?
And after reading some more denrayr, I can see what you mean about these needing a hard surface to apply a balancing force to the load. Do you think the springs are alright, considering they don't pull the basket back to center, as you first mentioned?
I also discovered that the front feet on this b*tch don't have any upper lock nuts that they thread into, just threaded pieces of thin walled pipe welded onto the base frame, making it one piece. Of course the feet are solidly rusted into 'em. One has a plastic cap (not rubber) molded onto it, the other is bare metal.
So, I treated both feet and the spanner nut with a special Mopar brand rust penetrant I bought from my Dodge dealer 20 years ago, twice so far. I'll treat 'em all a few more times in the AM, before I try to crack 'em loose again.
Last edited on Wed May 7th, 2008 10:28 by Phoenix_Rising
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denrayr
Sublime Master of Appliantology
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Posted: Wed May 7th, 2008 17:12 |
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| that "plastic cap" is hardened rubber. replace both feet dont rig something up it wont work. you can inspect the drive block without removing the spanner nut and i wouldnt remove it if you dont have to. The agitator bolt needs to be a 1/4-1/2 turn past snug.
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Phoenix_Rising
Apprentice Appliantologist
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Posted: Mon May 12th, 2008 07:55 |
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Thanks, denrayr, I need to clean the gunk out from between the tub and the basket anyway, so I cut a 14" pipe wrench down to be just under 9" from the lower (fixed) jaw to the tip of the handle, which allowed me to grab the spanner nut properly inside of the basket.
It still required using the 3 lb. hammer to walk the handle of the wrench over 1/2 turn before the nut was loose enough to unscrew by hand using the pipe wrench for another 1/3 turn, then by hand alone! That would have taken days using the hammer and punch I started with, if it ever loosened it at all. Considering the fact that the pipe wrench gripped both sides of the nut evenly, giving me much more torque toward turning the nut, instead of just tugging at one side of it at a time, as the punch did.
Now, I still can not lift the basket out of the tub, even with the spanner nut off. It appears the parts are cemented together with a combination of hard water calcium & mineral deposits. I've tried jerking the basket up, and holding it so it's off of the suspension plate while tapping the drive block with the 3 lb. hammer to drive it down and out of the basket, but it hasn't budged.
The only movement I get is the drive tube, drive block and basket lift as one piecce about 1/4" up the agitator shaft before striking something with a metal-to-metal sound. I don't know if I hit a retainer holding the drive tube to the gearcase or to the agitator shaft, but it aseems to be one of those two. The drive tube/drive block/basket are like a solid single unit.
Any ideas what I can try now? Can I use my pry-bar somewhere to gently work these parts apart? Thanks.
Last edited on Mon May 12th, 2008 09:29 by Phoenix_Rising
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grey shrek
Sublime Master of Appliantology
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Posted: Tue May 13th, 2008 03:32 |
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Lace up your runners. Stick one foot in the tub at a time and give it such a one.Keep doing it in 90 degree turns until it comes loose. Use other foot if the first one gets tired. So far has always worked...P.S. Hit the bottom of the tub , not the sides...
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