Maytag Neptune TL FAV6800AWW load noise ONLY WHEN TUMBLING

[Spiker]

Recently our lightly used 12 year old Maytag Netpune TL FAV6800AWW (SN: 11697430EN) washer started making a load noise when tumbling (spinners spinning).  It is a constant whirrlling noise. This noise is the only issue.  IN ALL OTHER REGARDS THE MACHINE WORKS FINE.  The spin cycles are very quiet.  I have removed the spinners and their bearings and this does not change the noise so the source of the noise is the transmission or something below.  I can very easily spin the pulley by hand in either direction and hear nothing so the noise only appears when the pulley is spun fast.  Yes, when you spin the pulley in one direction it spins the tub and when you spin it in the opposite direction it spins the the tumblers with the tub fixed so the clutch appears to be fine.

I do see a little rust just above the pulley right at the tub exit.  This rust is in a little ring around the inside edge of the tub exit.  I gather that this rust is on the bottom edge of a bearing sleeve.  Initially I thought that I must have a leak in the outer tub seal but I see no evidence of water leaking from the tub.  I've even tried filling the tub with water and putting paper towels above and below the pulley and letting the machine sit overnight.  Still, no signs of water dripping onto the pulley.  Possibly the rust resulted from condensation on the outside of the outer tub and then running down to the bottom of the tub.  Incidentally, everything under the tub looks great almost new.  Pan under the pulley is very clean, no evidence that anything has ever dripped onto it.

I am wondering whether the noise might be coming from the transmission.  Do you have any experience with transmission related noises?  My thinking at this point is to either continue to use the machine until something breaks or to pull the transmission and see what I can determine (oil level, noise it makes spinning with electric drill, etc.).  I'd appreciate any thoughts you might have.

Thanks,

Spiker

[Spiker]

I decided to remove the transmission and put the washer into a tumble cycle (no water) and see if the loud noise is still present.  It is.  In my opinion the problem is the shaft bearing in the spinner assembly.  Fixing this requires that one remove both tubs, etc. so I'm in the market for a new washer.