'71 Keyboard Lady Kenmore Update

As you may recall, a month or two ago, I acquired a '71 Lady Kenmore washer, the model with a "garage door" covering the control panel, and a fluorescent light (that still works).

Today I finally got around to running it through a wash cycle.

The good news: All the cycle selections seem to work just fine. There's not any leaks (other than from the fill hoses, which is due to old washers). The pump works as does the agitation and spin.

The not as good news: The detergent dispenser doesn't work - it never flowed any water through the compartment. As previously noted, the bleach dispenser plastic frame is missing - which may be just as well as it looks like it was just a spout anyway. But it would look better with whatever it was in that hole.

During agitate there was a knocking noise at the end of each stroke. It seemed to go away when I shifted the Vari-Flex agitator fins to "LO", so I'm thinking it's the agitator making that sound.

During spin, there's a lot of rattling and metal grinding type sounds (not too bad). This leads me to believe that both the wash basket and spin bearings are quite worn and in need of replacement. I'll be getting on the horn to my local parts store to see what they might have in that area. Naturally, I'll probably want to repaint the cabinet (rather rusty in spots) and do other maintenance at the same time (like get rid of all the well water rust stains).

Overall I'm pleased the thing doesn't leak at all. That's a good sign. The tranny also looks spotless; no sign of oil seepage whatsoever.

I'll repost some photos if anyone is interested. The previous thread has scrolled off, but can probably be found in the archives.


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Post# 196461 3/10/2007 at 19:46 (6,255 days old) by sudsmaster (SF Bay Area, California)
Checkrate/Likes As you may recall, a month or two ago, I acquired a '71 Lady Kenmore washer, the model with a "garage door" covering the control panel, and a fluorescent light (that still works). Today I finally got around to running it through a wash cycle. The good news: All the cycle selections seem to work just fine. There's not any leaks (other than from the fill hoses, which is due to old washers). The pump works as does the agitation and spin. The not as good news: The detergent dispenser doesn't work - it never flowed any water through the compartment. As previously noted, the bleach dispenser plastic frame is missing - which may be just as well as it looks like it was just a spout anyway. But it would look better with whatever it was in that hole. During agitate there was a knocking noise at the end of each stroke. It seemed to go away when I shifted the Vari-Flex agitator fins to "LO", so I'm thinking it's the agitator making that sound. During spin, there's a lot of rattling and metal grinding type sounds (not too bad). This leads me to believe that both the wash basket and spin bearings are quite worn and in need of replacement. I'll be getting on the horn to my local parts store to see what they might have in that area. Naturally, I'll probably want to repaint the cabinet (rather rusty in spots) and do other maintenance at the same time (like get rid of all the well water rust stains). Overall I'm pleased the thing doesn't leak at all. That's a good sign. The tranny also looks spotless; no sign of oil seepage whatsoever. I'll repost some photos if anyone is interested. The previous thread has scrolled off, but can probably be found in the archives.

Post# 196479 , Reply# 1 3/10/2007 at 21:23 (6,255 days old) by appnut (TX)
Checkrate/Likes Rich, thanks for the update.

Post# 196498 , Reply# 2 3/11/2007 at 00:26 (6,254 days old) by powerfin64 (Yakima, Washington)
Checkrate/Likes *update sugguestions.* Glad you got your Lady K up and running Rich. I will confirm, the knocking is from the fins being extended. My'72 Lady K does that also. Its normal. The soap dispenser, that could be a few things. What was the time you set the cycle for? If it was less than a full wash cycle, the dispenser won't activate. OR, your soap despenser sollenoid isn't working or connection to it is makin contact, or the recirculating pump is dead. Let us know what you find out. Rich

Post# 196578 , Reply# 3 3/11/2007 at 11:50 (6,254 days old) by customline (pennsylvania)
Checkrate/Likes *Customline sez.....* Keep plugging away. It will be good as new in no time. Can't wait to see the pics.

Post# 196774 , Reply# 4 3/12/2007 at 03:12 (6,253 days old) by sudsmaster (SF Bay Area, California)
Checkrate/Likes Thanks, Bob and Custom. There's a bit of a back-up in the restoration department. The '65 RCA Whirlpool still needs to be reassembled. But now that I know how a bad spin bearing sounds, I think I could probably put the '65 back together without touching the bearings - in the one test I did, they were quiet and smooth. Its main problem was leaking... still have to patch the outer tub... I may decide simply to part with the '71. I think I have to part with a fair amount of "stuff", not just washers/appliances. Spring cleaning, just around the corner :-).