Thread Number: 74042  /  Tag: Vintage Automatic Washers
Cleaning up the Crud From an 80's Whirpool Direct Drive
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Post# 978178   1/13/2018 at 17:32 (2,266 days old) by Stricklybojack (South Hams Devon UK)        

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This is was me today, finally digging into this craigslist impulse buy. I got the pair for $30 as I recall and they have been sitting since last spring.
After busting my ass for a few hours I see why your guys shrink in horror from the evil brown washer cancer also known as rust!
Dang, this one didn't have too much but lots more than was apparent before I got the cabinet off.
I will replace a rusted hose clamp and a rubber lid bumper stop, that's it!
But much gunk and hair and more flaking rust than I bargained for had to be exercised from this ol gal. I think it's last use was washing dog blankets. Some very suspicious material mimicing golden brown dog doo was also found, but thankfully didn't smell.
I will sell the pair on and probably not do this again after this round of machines. I have about 4 laundry pairs left of what I accumulated last year (sold 3 other pairs already) and need to move on to other activities.
About half way done. I need to get the basket out and clean the plastic tub, it’s a puke fest!
Now on to finding me one of them fancy wrenches on ebay...


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Post# 978190 , Reply# 1   1/13/2018 at 18:07 (2,266 days old) by DADoES (TX, U.S. of A.)        

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Somewhat more crud than usual, but not particularly unusual.


Post# 978200 , Reply# 2   1/13/2018 at 20:42 (2,265 days old) by Magic_Clean (Florida)        
Really not too

bad for a washer that appears to be about 30 years old.

L.P.


Post# 978225 , Reply# 3   1/13/2018 at 23:44 (2,265 days old) by dartman (Portland Oregon)        

I don't remember any of my units being that rusty but most of the time they weren't 30 years old either and I haven't torn down hundreds of them. I had to pull the impeller of my new one but it was only a few months old so super clean and came apart easily. Next I have to replace the tub bearings and that will be more of a job but I did buy all the parts and special tools to do it on eBay so when I finally work up the ambition to do it it should mostly just be time and clearing out its area.

Post# 978252 , Reply# 4   1/14/2018 at 07:25 (2,265 days old) by potatochips ( )        

I picked up a rim flo last fall that had some pretty bad crud action too. I used Fantastik to help remove the crud.

Post# 979413 , Reply# 5   1/22/2018 at 09:48 (2,257 days old) by Stricklybojack (South Hams Devon UK)        

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Question:
When I removed the single piece "Super Surgulator" agitator the 2 items pictured (metal clip and plastic spacer like thingy) were no where to be found. Are they on all Whirlpools like this?
My guess is they are and someone in the past forgot to replace them after digging in to this machine.
However some repair videos on YouTube do not show these items in place.
I thought I should tap the collective wisdom of this body for a definitive answer.


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This post was last edited 01/22/2018 at 10:12
Post# 979419 , Reply# 6   1/22/2018 at 10:23 (2,257 days old) by DADoES (TX, U.S. of A.)        

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Far as I'm aware, the primary purpose of the pieces is to promote the agitator to rotate at full speed with the basket during spin to ensure an agitator-mounted softener dispenser gets up to full RPM to release properly.


Post# 979430 , Reply# 7   1/22/2018 at 12:06 (2,257 days old) by combo52 (50 Year Repair Tech Beltsville,Md)        

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Hi Glen, you are correct, these parts were only on some models [ they were not used on a washer this old ] and they were only machines with an agitator mounted FSD.

 

John L.


Post# 980107 , Reply# 8   1/27/2018 at 12:03 (2,252 days old) by Stricklybojack (South Hams Devon UK)        

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Thanks fellas.
I finally got a spanner wrench and the spanner nut is off, but thanks to San Diego's high mineral water the basket is fused to the drive block and likely the drive block is similarly fused to the drive shaft.
Soaking with penetrants now.
Any good tricks for this?




This post was last edited 01/27/2018 at 12:33
Post# 980123 , Reply# 9   1/27/2018 at 15:40 (2,252 days old) by stricklybojack (South Hams Devon UK)        

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Don’t all jump up at once...
no worries, i figured out the trick myself...persistence!

No to get all that nastiness outa there.


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Post# 980132 , Reply# 10   1/27/2018 at 16:58 (2,252 days old) by DADoES (TX, U.S. of A.)        

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Yeah ... and frontloader naysayers insist toploaders are better, they don't collect debris, LOL!


Post# 980136 , Reply# 11   1/27/2018 at 17:13 (2,252 days old) by chetlaham (United States)        

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Would it be to much to ask for pics of the cycle knob and tech sheet? I'm curious how things looked around the times WP went from SP to ND.


Anyway congrats! That was is more on the cruddy side, but trust me I have seen some out of rental properties that would but that to shame.


I would replace the line filter rather than trying to clean it by thats just my opinion. The rest is persistence to which I know you will do well. Can't wait to see this wash.




Post# 980146 , Reply# 12   1/27/2018 at 18:22 (2,252 days old) by stricklybojack (South Hams Devon UK)        

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Too late, i dove right in on the thousand fingers of wretch and took care of business.
Seems the lint filter had been overlooked the last 35 years or so; weird it being so handy and all right there UNDER the wash basket...sheesh.
I have a thing for going at rust with a wire brush and old screw drivers, accordingly the basket has a new hole were a rust bubble heretofore was, but it’s under the agitator so i think she’ll be fine.
Well my back aches as i ponder POR 15, wear pads (r & r or no?), and hope the fried chicken at Vons is fresh.


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This post was last edited 01/27/2018 at 21:32
Post# 980148 , Reply# 13   1/27/2018 at 19:08 (2,252 days old) by DADoES (TX, U.S. of A.)        

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You should consider leaving the filter out.  It was changed later in production to two or four little plugs that fit into those holes in the base (photo 5 and 6), then DD models toward the end didn't have any type of filter.


Post# 980155 , Reply# 14   1/27/2018 at 19:38 (2,252 days old) by Stricklybojack (South Hams Devon UK)        

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The rust-promoting-disk-of-death-by-disgustingness shall likely remain off.
Unless someone has a good reason to keep it on, I am over it.


Post# 980158 , Reply# 15   1/27/2018 at 19:48 (2,252 days old) by chetlaham (United States)        

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I'm with Dadoes- keep said disk off. I see no compelling reason to keep it.

Post# 980299 , Reply# 16   1/28/2018 at 18:50 (2,251 days old) by stricklybojack (South Hams Devon UK)        

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"Every picture tells a story don't it..."

She's all back together again. I was so tired from yesterday I thought this baby better get done sooner than later, or else it will become another garage ornament i don't need.
This wasn't worth fussing with rust treatment or further tear down...heck I don't even run this thing once since I bought it.
The lint filter went back for one reason; I spent too much time cleaning it not to use it!
The cabinet was difficult to replace owing to fact that the front floor or base of the washer was bent downwards whilst the front of the cabinet was bent slightly upward.
Cleaning these things, even more than cleaning an old vacuum, really takes it oughta you.
Therefore I knew my time was limited and best finish it up today.
I still have the matching dryer to do, so stay tuned for more.
Last pic is today at Torrey Pines State beach. 80+ degrees, with dry Santa Ana desert winds blowing spay off the back of the waves.


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This post was last edited 01/28/2018 at 19:11
Post# 980313 , Reply# 17   1/28/2018 at 20:16 (2,250 days old) by chetlaham (United States)        

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Picture perfect restoration! I think you did a stellar job on one of the best all-around machine ever made. This will really clean and rinse like nothing else. This also has neutral drain which is an added benefit to overall longevity.


BTW, you have a dormant extra rinse and suds return ;)


Post# 980470 , Reply# 18   1/29/2018 at 18:12 (2,250 days old) by stricklybojack (South Hams Devon UK)        

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Weeell today was not a banner day here, at least in the front load side of things. A bad FL washer moon is definitely on the rise. But all is not lost, read on.
The SQ FL washer started to make a godawful sound somewhere in the wash/rinse phase of things. I unplugged the cord and removed the items, thinking to finish them in the new-to-me, but-as-of-yet-untested DD washer...aka the subject of this thread.
i broke the clothes into two small loads and away we went, humming along to the blissful sound of an analog washing machine. The glorious moment was recorded and will be upload at some point.
Whirlpool DD saves the day…appropriately (or ironically?), as it was a DD machine that the SQ FL machine replaced...much to my everlasting chagrin it would seem.
The SQ repairman is scheduled.




This post was last edited 01/29/2018 at 23:47
Post# 980519 , Reply# 19   1/29/2018 at 23:37 (2,249 days old) by askolover (South of Nash Vegas, TN)        

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Good thing it's still under warranty, otherwise I'd call it "SpendQueen"!


Post# 980521 , Reply# 20   1/29/2018 at 23:54 (2,249 days old) by speedqueen (Metro-Detroit)        
Lemon

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Tell SQ that if they keep throwing parts at it and don't offer a direct replacement that you intend to call all your local news channels and the BBB. This is unacceptable.

Post# 980545 , Reply# 21   1/30/2018 at 05:18 (2,249 days old) by chetlaham (United States)        
BBB

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Bundle Branch Block


Anyway I also would do the same. SQ needs to have their feet held to the fire figuratively speaking.


Post# 980548 , Reply# 22   1/30/2018 at 06:13 (2,249 days old) by tolivac (greenville nc)        

Bundle Branch Block-is this what happens when just that-a bundle of branches clogs the hammermill opening in your tub grinder!Was watching videos on tub grinders.

Post# 980556 , Reply# 23   1/30/2018 at 07:29 (2,249 days old) by chetlaham (United States)        

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What might happen to you if you get a new vintage in box vintage machine lol!



Post# 980618 , Reply# 24   1/30/2018 at 16:13 (2,249 days old) by Stricklybojack (South Hams Devon UK)        

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I was so chuffed with myself over the Whirlpool I decided to take a stab at the SQ myself.
My first hunch was something was caught up in the pump.
So first step: take off the from panel, drain the machine, and have a look see.
Correctamundo! Something wicked this way comes...
There inside I found a very small firm rubbery plastic trinket our school gives out to kids who run a given distance. I have two kids with a dozen or so of these not-so-charming charms. It absolutely astounds me how much racket that little thing produced.
The pump otherwise looked as it should, so I buttoned things up and went for a test drive...success!
If the computer board in there now holds out, my main gripe is that SQ FL machines have a family-unfriendly habit of letting contraband get to the pump...but otherwise get the job done more easily than a TL machine owing to the greater effective capacity of an FL design.
So for once I have an SQ FL story that ends on an up note.
Somewhere combo52 mutters, "I told you so!".




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This post was last edited 01/30/2018 at 17:18

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