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Old Whirlpool washer squeals when entering spin

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Posted: Sat Apr 2nd, 2005 04:28 pm

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LaundryMom
Senior Apprentice Appliantologist

Joined:	Sat Apr 2nd, 2005
Location:	Grand Rapids, Michigan USA
Posts:	32
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We have an old belt-driven Whirlpool washer, model # LHA5500W1. It squeals when it goes into the spin cycle and stops squealing when it gets the spin going faster. Me Dear Husband, who is a mechanic on semi-trucks and cars, is not sure of his abilities in replacing the belt on this washer. It looks like he has to take the entire motor housing out just to get the old belt out and a new one in. I know where we could get a new belt for $20 if he could find out for sure how to do it himself. To have a repair company send someone to do it could cost more than $125. (We only paid $60 for this thing in 1994 and all we have had to replace on it so far is the water pump!)

Anyway, he thinks he just tightened the belt for now, but I haven't run it yet to see if it still squeals. Any thoughts?

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Posted: Sat Apr 2nd, 2005 04:34 pm

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Samurai Appliance Repair Man
Fermented Grand Master of Appliantology

Joined:	Mon Mar 21st, 2005
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A properly tightened belt on this washer should have about 1/4" of play. If it's worn or cracked, replace it with an OEM belt because it comes with complete installation instructions printed right on the bag (turn it over before you start tearing the bag apart!).

Squeals are more commonly caused by the pump, but a badly worn belt can make weird noises, too.

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Posted: Sat Apr 2nd, 2005 05:04 pm

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LaundryMom
Senior Apprentice Appliantologist

Joined:	Sat Apr 2nd, 2005
Location:	Grand Rapids, Michigan USA
Posts:	32
Flavorite Brew:	Bud
Status:	Offline

Sometimes it seems nothing is ever as easy as it should be, and other times we make things harder than they ought to be...

Thanks for the link to the (less expensive) belt!

The only reason we thought it must have been the belt is because it sounds just like the belt on a car when the owner has failed to proplerly maintain it!

Thanks again!

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Oh, God. Not another home repair!

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