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Lady Kenmore portable washing machine
Model 110-7460600
Vintage mid-1970s
Relatively recently, I replaced the Centerpost Gasket on this very old but trusty machine. The tub had been leaking so long I'm embarrassed to say. The new gasket fixed that, and while I was at it, I cleaned up the Drive Block, fixed a little rust etc.
Eventually, though, it wouldn't agitate correctly. The agitator seemed to be slipping. (It moved, but only a few degrees, and it sounded different.) At first this happened intermittently. Now it happens all the time.
I've discovered that if I wait till the wash cycle starts, then I pause the washer (push the dial in), and simply turn the agitator a bit, it's fine for the rest of that cycle. Sometimes, that means turning it several degrees till I hit resistance, sometimes it means virtually no distance at all -- just enough pressure to snug it up. (This procedure has no effect if I do it before the machine has sensed that the chosen water is reached. In fact, it is impossible, since the agitator is not engaged during the fill cycle.)
I don't have much clue on this one, but am thinking that, because snugging it up "fixes" it, it's not due to worn vanes on the spindle not grabbing the drive block (although they are fairly worn, if I remember right). My guess is it's due to some sort of wear in the gearcase, probably having aged "prematurely," what with all that soapy water coursing through it for months. I hope not. Standing by to encourage it would be far easier than a gearcase renewal.
The drive block does seem to be well tightened. (I have the special wrench needed for managing the drive block Locknut.)
Any better insight into this? Is it likely to worsen further?
Could this be related to the bad spin solenoid (described my post http://www.homerepairforum.com/forum...ol-magnet.html)? The agitation solenoid seems to work okay, but it sure would be nice if replacing that assembly fixed this, too!
UPDATE: I replaced the spin and agitator solenoids (described in http://www.homerepairforum.com/forum/appliances/9435-kenmore-washer-bad-spin-control-magnet.html ), after which the agitator behavior improved, but still slips sometimes. See post below. BTW, the electrical resistance of both new solenoids tested okay before installation, about 550 ohms.
ALSO: I also replaced the posts that connect the solenoids (control magnets) to the cams. In doing so, I found a very lightweight spring on the agitator post (none on the spin post). The spring is not documented in the DIY manual, nor in the instructions that came with the parts (and was not included with the new parts). I re-used the spring. Don't know why there's none on the spin post. The control magnets were never previously serviced.
So far, the only practical fix I can imagine is a bungee cord.
SEE ALSO: http://www.homerepairforum.com/forum...ol-magnet.html
Model 110-7460600
Vintage mid-1970s
Relatively recently, I replaced the Centerpost Gasket on this very old but trusty machine. The tub had been leaking so long I'm embarrassed to say. The new gasket fixed that, and while I was at it, I cleaned up the Drive Block, fixed a little rust etc.
Eventually, though, it wouldn't agitate correctly. The agitator seemed to be slipping. (It moved, but only a few degrees, and it sounded different.) At first this happened intermittently. Now it happens all the time.
I've discovered that if I wait till the wash cycle starts, then I pause the washer (push the dial in), and simply turn the agitator a bit, it's fine for the rest of that cycle. Sometimes, that means turning it several degrees till I hit resistance, sometimes it means virtually no distance at all -- just enough pressure to snug it up. (This procedure has no effect if I do it before the machine has sensed that the chosen water is reached. In fact, it is impossible, since the agitator is not engaged during the fill cycle.)
I don't have much clue on this one, but am thinking that, because snugging it up "fixes" it, it's not due to worn vanes on the spindle not grabbing the drive block (although they are fairly worn, if I remember right). My guess is it's due to some sort of wear in the gearcase, probably having aged "prematurely," what with all that soapy water coursing through it for months. I hope not. Standing by to encourage it would be far easier than a gearcase renewal.
The drive block does seem to be well tightened. (I have the special wrench needed for managing the drive block Locknut.)
Any better insight into this? Is it likely to worsen further?
Could this be related to the bad spin solenoid (described my post http://www.homerepairforum.com/forum...ol-magnet.html)? The agitation solenoid seems to work okay, but it sure would be nice if replacing that assembly fixed this, too!
UPDATE: I replaced the spin and agitator solenoids (described in http://www.homerepairforum.com/forum/appliances/9435-kenmore-washer-bad-spin-control-magnet.html ), after which the agitator behavior improved, but still slips sometimes. See post below. BTW, the electrical resistance of both new solenoids tested okay before installation, about 550 ohms.
ALSO: I also replaced the posts that connect the solenoids (control magnets) to the cams. In doing so, I found a very lightweight spring on the agitator post (none on the spin post). The spring is not documented in the DIY manual, nor in the instructions that came with the parts (and was not included with the new parts). I re-used the spring. Don't know why there's none on the spin post. The control magnets were never previously serviced.
So far, the only practical fix I can imagine is a bungee cord.
SEE ALSO: http://www.homerepairforum.com/forum...ol-magnet.html
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