Thread Number: 43196
Kenmore centerpost seals question
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Post# 635412   10/30/2012 at 22:36 (4,166 days old) by washer_newbie ()        

Just wanted to verify that I can install the upper and lower seals on the centerpost without a tool, removal of the bearings and removal of the centerpost.


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Post# 635477 , Reply# 1   10/31/2012 at 10:54 (4,165 days old) by Kenmoreguy64 (Charlotte, NC)        

kenmoreguy64's profile picture
Hey there again,

On the seals, I've had some discussion with others about their removal and doing so without tools or the usual procedure, but have never tried it.

All the centerposts are equipped in basically the same way, at least from 1960 forward (I simply don't know about the 1950s models). There is the lower bearing very near the baseplate, and under it is an oil seal. That's all on the lower side.

As to the upper bearing, the same oil seal is under the bearing, but there is one skinny seal on top of the bearing in older machines (1977 and older) or TWO taller seals in a stack in the newer, short centerpost models like yours.

The only seal you'd want to remove are the upper one(s) above the top bearing unless your machine's bearings are excessively worn or have come in contact with a lot of water and detergent. The skinny pre-1978 seal can be fairly easily pried out with a screw driver and a pair of pliers. The double, thick seals however I've never tried to remove that way, and I don't know if this can be done or not. To be honest, I have several machines that need this work, and have planned to experiment but just not done it yet.

Probably the easiest way to do this is to remove the top bearing with a bearing puller, which will pull the top oil seal and the two stacked seals all at once. A specialized tool is required for this however, and another tool is needed for the re-install. Some folks can do bearing jobs without this tool, however I would not recommend this be tried by a first-timer. All new parts in the centerpost will renew the machine, at least from this aspect.

If you want to experiment and try to remove the top seal, the transmission and spin tube should be removed. That may be difficult if the spin tube is well worn or has grooves rusted into it. When the gearcase and spin tube are out, insert a thin, flat blade screw driver in between the seal edge and the centerpost wall, enough to deform the seal. Then pry it out with pliers. I don't know how much work this will be having never tried it myself. I have always pulled the parts using the tools. There is a lot more gripping surface on these heavier duty seals vs. the pre-1978 seal. Be careful not to deform the centerpost itself.

That will remove the first seal, the second may be more difficult as it is more burried within the centerpost. If you can change the top one however, you're probably doing well.

The new seal can be installed with a seal installer, or I use a galvanized pipe which I believe is 1-1/4 inch diameter, and a block of wood to hammer the seal down into the post. Once done, remember to apply a decent amount of turbine oil to the two bearings, as they will loose some of their lubrication over time, and much of the rest during this operation.



Gordon



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