38 replies to this topic

[khakes]

I just finished installing a Maytag washer bearing (also replaced the tub seal) and now it is making a very loud grinding noise even worse that before (before it wouldn't even spin much).
Don't know what to do - did I install it incorrectly? I'm kinda choked because I was extreemly carefull to clean everything and ensure a good fit without any errors. All is good except when it hits 30-100% spin cycle and then the bearing just howls like a jet plane taking off... $220+tax in parts and about 7 hours later and this is where i'm at... wife is not happy and I feel like a fool for trying now... any help appreciated.

[RegUS_PatOff]

... $220+tax in parts and about 7 hours later and this is where i'm at... wife is not happy

... sorry, I don't know the answer
(maybe someone else on here does)
should've been here a week ago :
http://appliantology...but-now-269-ea/
goes on sale every few months
(until they're gone. . . no longer made)

[Scottthewolf]

Please tell me you also replaced the mounting stem, boot and seal kit as well as the tub bearing.

The price is very low for this job. I usually get around $350.00 for this job and only takes me about 2 hours to do the job.

Did you replace the cork mounting stem too?

[khakes]

Yes I replaced the mounting step and boot seal kit, and the outer tub bearing kit... wish I would have paid someone now but they probably wouldn't have done the job anyway given the prices of washers these days. Any help appreciated... i'm in the dog house for a while unless I can fix what I didn't fix.. Khakes

[khakes]

I also replaced the belts. Water was leaking from the bearing on load and spin.. the ones I replaced were in horrible shape. Before changing the spin was only about 75% and the agitation was about 1/2.

I wasn't supposed to grease the bearing was I?

[Scottthewolf]

Did you run a dry spin cycle after you replaced the parts to lubricate the mounting stem like the instructions said to?

No you aren't supposed to add any lubricant to the parts.

[khakes]

No I didn't... no instructions that I could see. My common sense told me to lube it with something so I put on a little detergent.... i'm thinking that was probably a bone head idea?

[Scottthewolf]

Yup, you ruined it by putting detergent on it. Don't put anything on the seals. You are supposed to run a dry spin cycle after you install the parts.

[khakes]

I can take it apart now that I know how fairly quickly.. the bearing immediately makes noise the first time I used it... would adding something wet like detergent cause all the grinding right from the start?... i'ts only gone through 2 spin cycles and is just as bad as the first time it spun up.... is there anything else I could try to either diagnose or take apart and start over?... the bearing was so smooth, I can't imagine why it would squeel/grind so fast....

If I take it apart and clean it and put back together, is it too late for this.... again, only 2 spin cycles, would the detergent actually eat up the bearing?

[Scottthewolf]

Yes, go buy new seals and replace them again with NO lubricants and when you are done, run a dry spin cycle.

[khakes]

I'm not too terribly familiar with washer parts terms, but by seals do you mean a new tub bearing?
I didn't lube anything else except for the tub bearing, even then it was simply film that I put on...

[Scottthewolf]

Yes, buy a new tub bearing.

[khakes]

One last question, if you don't mind. Please don't take this the wrong way, I really do appreciate your help... but have you personally experienced someone either putting lube on (detergent) and/or not running a dry spin cycle and the second the spin cycles starts at 30% going up the bearing is wreaked? .... or are you suggesting that b/c the instructions say to run a dry cycle that the assumption is that I immediately (after the first few turns of the drum) that the bearing becomes scratched and grinding starts immediately? In order for grinding to happen the bearing would have to have damage... i'm just suspect that there might be something more to this problem and for me to buy another bearing at $88 (yes, prices in canada are double) what are the chances that something else caused it (I didn't install it with right tightness, etc. What it comes down to is : How sure are you it's my bone head detergent that caused it?

[Scottthewolf]

The detergent may have caused it. Or you could have installed something wrong or too tight.

[khakes]

Too tight??????? I'm thinking back now, I did tighten the nuts for both top and bottom fairly tight, the lower tub one fairly snug until it couldn't go further... maybe this was wrong. Listen, i'll have to pay it forward for all your help.... is this something you do by trade?

[Scottthewolf]

I've been an appliance repair person for 20 years and I worked for Maytag Factory Service for 10 years. Here in the USA Maytag had it's own service technicians that were employed by Maytag.

[khakes]

A big thanks for your help. Although i'm uneasy about buying another bearing - I can see your recommendation comes with credentials so I guess i'd better. I might try to back off the tightness just to see what happens, maybe even take out the bearing and clean it and put it back in to see what happens. Too bad parts are not like the US prices... know anywhere I can get appliances parts shipped USPS at US prices? Thanks again. If anyone else has any comments feel free - in the meantime I know what I have to do.... give up a few more work lunches... khakes

[Scottthewolf]

If you do clean the bearing use a dry lint free cloth.

I used to have an account with AP Wagner, but they got bought out by Marcone, so I closed my account. AP wagner would have let me buy parts and have them shipped from one of the Canadian branches, then ship the parts to you.

[Budget Appliance Repair]

Personally, I don't think you have ruined your new tub seal kit, they are a little more forgiving then Scottthewolf is making them out to be, (but not much).

Just take it apart and clean it up good with a clean dry lint free cloth and put it back together except for installing the main spin basket. Then put it in a spin cycle, (leave the water off), and let it spin for just a little and see if it is making any noise. If not then install the spin basket, (Make sure you have it centered before you tighten the nut down, that maybe your problem now. If you didn't center the tub and just tightened the nut down it is the most likely cause of your grinding noise - the spin basket could be grinding against the outer tub.).

With the spin basket centered and tightened down good, (you really can't over-tighten the stem seal or the tub nut either), put it back in spin and let it spin for the two minutes, dry, to run the seal in.

If this all goes well, then it will be time to fill it with water and make sure the new tub stem seal isn't leaking.

[gcw1]

If there was enough water leaking out it could have got inside the brake package killing the spin bearing.