Thread Number: 33973
WP Belt Drive Bearings How-To?
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Post# 510459   4/9/2011 at 16:58 (4,736 days old) by Volvoguy87 (Cincinnati, OH)        

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Since I'm working for an appliance parts company, I've met many service techs. One of them is willing to give me a hand on some WP Belt Drive centerpost bearings since he has the special tool. I've never done this before and I'd like to know what's involved and what the procedure is. My repair manuals say to leave it to a pro. I'm also battling NLA parts.

If the bearings seem to be alright, is it possible to just replace the seals and add some lubricant? (On my Halo of Heat dryer rebuilds, I've added turbine oil to the bearings' wicking and have excelent excellent results.) None of my belt drives in regular use are leaking, but some on the sidelines have. I've got 1 transmission full of water and another that might be. Belt drive transmission rebuilding is for another thread later though. If they have leaked into the centerpost, is bearing replacement mandatory? I know in Robert's pictorial of the '57 Lady Kenmore restoration, he says to always replace the spin tube when replacing bearings. If the bearings seem fine, is it permissible to replace them anyway and leave the spin tube alone, provided it's not scored? The basket drives are NLA as are new spin tubes. I'd have to scrounge around to get some, but my parts company has none and cannot get any more. Are there any off-brand spin tubes still available new like Supco, ERP, or Gemline?

As a side interest, I have a 1972 Kenmore 70 series which features a solenoid operated dispenser for fabric softener and bleach. The dispenser assembly is mounted in the front left corner of the washer. The solenoids are worn and buzz/rattle VERY loudly when activated. New solenoids are NLA. What are my options? Could the coils from a gas valve kit be used?

Confused and thinking of a big undertaking,
Dave





Post# 510478 , Reply# 1   4/9/2011 at 18:48 (4,736 days old) by Launderess (Quiet Please, There´s a Lady on Stage)        

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Search the archives of the group for information on belt drive bearing and seal replacements. A few of use (myself included) had problems with our belt driven vintage Whirlpool portables which required replacing seals and IIRC in one case (thankfully not mine) bearings.

Post# 510490 , Reply# 2   4/9/2011 at 19:42 (4,736 days old) by Unimatic1140 (Minneapolis)        

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Hi Dave, I believe my Lady Kenmore restore pictures show the bearings being replaced...


Post# 510493 , Reply# 3   4/9/2011 at 20:06 (4,736 days old) by Volvoguy87 (Cincinnati, OH)        
A good start.

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Thanks for the link Robert, but I'm still a bit confused. I've read about rykon grease being used somewhere in the procedure, but I don't know where. I also don't know what rykon grease is, where to get it, why it's special, or why/how it is necessary in this application. It's not a step I want to skip, I just need more information so I know how to properly apply it.

I also want to know what I should be replacing and what I should be leaving alone. At the very least, I want to replace all the seals on my belt drives because they aren't getting any younger and I want to reduce the potential for future problems. I can get the bearings all day long, but the spin tubes are a problem. I've not run all of my belt drives, but the ones I have run don't sound like a freight train during spin. I can hear a little bit of a noise on some of them occasionally during spin, so I hope the bearings can be lubricated. If spin tubes were still easily available, I'd replace all my centerpost bearings and spin tubes since I'll have access to the bearing tools. If I can leave okay spin tubes in place, I'd consider replacing all the bearings. If bearings and spin tubes must always be replaced together, I'd be inclined to see about new seals and lubing the bearings.

I think this will be one heck of a project,
Dave




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