Rusty residue in washer drive system

[ferkettr]

There is a rusty residue that regularly coats some of the components of my washer's drive system. Here's the story: A few years ago I diagnosed a problem with the shift actuator. I replaced it and all was well - for a while. A similar problem occurred again a year or two later, indicating the need to replace the same part. Odd, I thought, but I replaced it and it worked. The third time I began to get suspicious (probably should have happened sooner). It eventually sunk in that there is an optical sensor in that part and it was looking dirty each time I took it out. So I tried just cleaning it and putting it back in. Worked fine - problem solved, this time for free. Great! But why is it always dirty? It comes out with a rusty looking film on it, like there's water getting onto it somehow. But how? We haven't noticed water on the floor underneath. (It is a somewhat rough concrete floor in the basement of an old farmhouse, so maybe not as noticeable as some situations.)

Now for the last few months the spin cycle has been getting louder and louder, like the bearing is not working smoothly. It has slowly dawned on me, though I've been avoiding the thought, that water is getting into other places it doesn't belong. So 1) where might the water be coming from? and 2) Is it possible to lubricate and/or replace the main bearing?
Maytag model: MVWX500XW2

[Vance R]

1 hour ago, ferkettr said:

Maytag model: MVWX500XW2

From your description it is small seal leaking water into the bearings. Will need to replace gear case.