Kenmore 79629002000 Wash Plate Stuck

[Vera]

Hi, I'm trying to get the wash plate off my Kenmore Elite model 79629002000 wash machine to replace the clutch assembly.  I can't get the wash plate to come off. We've tried a pry bar hooked under the edge, pulling straight up, we put the bolt partially in and used a pry bar against the bolt top prying up under the edge also tried running it through a few cycles with the bolt only in  a few threads hoping the spin cycle would loosen it.  No luck - does anyone have any other tricks?

[Scottthewolf]

Just order a new wash plate and bolt.

[Vera]

But...I would still need to get the old one off...that's the problem...

[john63]

Remove all bolts (and plugs/wire connections) from Clutch Assy.

Place washer in upright position

Add something under Clutch Assy...such as an old blanket.

Place a similar but longer bolt (Lowes) in shaft at Pulsator Plate

Use a 3 lb hammer...pound the substitute bolt...until Clutch Assy drops down

Remove bolt

[johntech]

The only stuck wash plate I remember was also stripped out. I needed to replace it any way so I cut a hole in it and pulled it out with pliers. If It's really stuck and your replacing the wash plate cut holes in it and feed a rope thru the holes to make handles. May need to put a rope thru each side to get proper leverage.

[Vera]

Thanks john63, great tip!  Hopefully I can salvage the wash plate with this method...we'll see.   I'll let you know if it worked!    Thanks to you too johntech.  I appreciate the input from both of you guys!  

Vera

[darinbee]

I fought with this for a couple hours on my Maytag MVWC400XW3. I eventually took three 1/2 inch sheet metal screws with a large pan heads and then screwed them into the wash plate on the high spots as to not poke into the unknown area below the washplate and attached wires and tightened the screws.

The wires need to be long enough exit the washer and wrap around a section of pipe that I then attached to a ratchet strap that was also attached to a floor joist in the basement ceiling. 

I then used the ratchet strap to lift the washer a few inches off the floor and then pushed down hard on the washer and the wash plate came off. On the bottom of washplate was a metal piece that was rusted to the shaft.

The metal was to stop the tub from pulling out from the washer.