Here are the "work photos", so to speak, of the Dispensall. Check out that nasty old transmission!!!
Pre-1995 GE washers, while they may seem difficult at first, are very easy machines to service (especially if you have the 1990 repair manual like mine pictured below), and I had previously not changed out a GE transmission before. It was quite helpful for me to do all of this:
1. Remove the back panel for "visual access".
2. Drop the left rear bolt in first to "pivot" the transmission so you can get the belt on the pulley. It's covered in the 1990 manual but I'm not sure about the Repair-Master.
2. After the left rear bolt is installed, I've found that you don't have to install the bolts in any particular order. Quickly jerk the transmission in both directions to position the bolts. Go around each one and tighten them gradually.
3. Install the lower boot clamp first, but instead of installing the boot with the clamp attached, remove the clamp and position the boot over the mount. Remove the clamp screw, spread the clamp and then fit it over the boot. It takes a little effort in re-attaching the clamp screw, but the boot will be mounted correctly.
4. I used blue RTV silicone to ensure a good seal between the boot, transmission, and boot mount. If the outer tub and transmission case are "rough" it might be necessary, but I did it strictly on a "just in case" basis.
5. Remove the plastic clothes guard from the inner tub before lowering it in.
6. When lowering the tub in, try to bend the fill flume sideways to avoid damage.
7. Lubricate the tub mounting holes & tub bolts before installing them. The tub bolts require a 1/2", 12-point socket. Hand-turn them before tightening.
8. When replacing the top gasket, silicone the top gasket to the tub rim to ensure a good fit. If you're not replacing the top gasket and it doesn't leak, leave it alone.
9. Apply a small amount of lithium grease to the agitator shaft before installing the agitator on a replacement transmission.
10. Adjusting the belt tension wasn't necessary this time...the new transmission fit perfectly. If it flexes 1/2" or more at the middle, however, it will need tightening.
After having replaced the transmission, belt, boot & clamps, tub bolts, & top seal, that's pretty much all I can suggest to anyone who has to do the same. Good luck, and make sure you have a repair manual handy!!
Those are great pics Austin and you did a wonderful job on the washer. Mike in Long Beach did a similar job this past weekend on a GE, sealing the outer tub from the pin holes that all GE's seem to suffer from eventually. He got the Versatronic GE washer set that Harvestgold decided not to keep. Glad you got that set Mike, I know you will give it a good home and appreciate it! Jimmy
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