Maytag model LA712

Remove the two screws near the bottom on each side and then pull the BOTTOM of the panel toward you, the top clips may come loose from the front panel but they really shouldn't if you lift the panel evenly. To reinstall hold the panel at about 45 degrees [ tilted out at bottom ] and allow the two top spring clips on the top of the panel to catch under the washers top, then swing the bottom of the front panel down into place and reinstall the screws.

If the washer is not spinning well the main drive belt may be too worn [ the machine will also likely not be agitating well under heavy load ]. First thing is be sure the motor moves freely back and forth on it plastic slides. With both belts removed shoot a little light oil on the four plastic rollers and work the motor assembly back and forth [ it doesn't make any difference what of oil you use ] If the main drive belt looks good [ compare to a new belt ] clean all the pulleys of any grease-oil or dirt and reinstall the belts.

When the belts are reinstalled pull the motor toward the front of the washer and while holding the motor take your other hand and check the tension of the pump belt by squeezing it together in the center of the belt. IT should seem very LOOSE you should be able to squeeze the belt together till if touches in the middle with just a little force.

[ The pump belt being too tight is the biggest reason that MT DC washers don't spin or agitate as they should.]

If you can't do this loosen the pump belt by moving the water pump toward the motor after slightly loosening the pump mounting screws. The pump belts on MT washers almost never need replacing, replace only if it if frayed or missing parts of the rubber.

John L.


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Post# 838657 8/29/2015 at 16:19 (3,156 days old) by realvanman (Southern California)
Checkrate/Likes Since we're way past the point of "should I save this machine", I've created a new thread dedicated to it. I've repaired the timer and verified that everything now works. The last thing on the list is to check into the belt tensioning springs, since the spin is anemic, despite the belt appearing to be in good condition. While it's evident to me that the front panel is removable, and that the motor and it's springs should be just on the other side, I cannot get it off. It seems like it's just held on by spring clips. It can be pried away almost 1/2 an inch, but then seems to stop wanting to come off without breaking anything, so I stopped trying. So, what's the scoop? :) Thanks, Keith

Post# 838666 , Reply# 1 8/29/2015 at 17:30 (3,156 days old) by wayupnorth (On a lake between Bangor and Bar Harbor, Maine)
Checkrate/Likes 2 The clips at the top of the panel will more than likely fall off as you just pull the front panel off while lifting it up towards you, you're not breaking anything. You probably will have to put the 2 clips back on the panel where they were and getting the top part reset into the top where it was before putting the 2 screws back in the bottom. I have had my LA511 opened up several times and it always goes back perfect with a little forcing every time.

Post# 838705 , Reply# 2 8/30/2015 at 10:08 (3,155 days old) by combo52 (50 Year Repair Tech Beltsville,Md)
Checkrate/Likes 1 *Removing the front panel on a MT LA712* Remove the two screws near the bottom on each side and then pull the BOTTOM of the panel toward you, the top clips may come loose from the front panel but they really shouldn't if you lift the panel evenly. To reinstall hold the panel at about 45 degrees [ tilted out at bottom ] and allow the two top spring clips on the top of the panel to catch under the washers top, then swing the bottom of the front panel down into place and reinstall the screws. If the washer is not spinning well the main drive belt may be too worn [ the machine will also likely not be agitating well under heavy load ]. First thing is be sure the motor moves freely back and forth on it plastic slides. With both belts removed shoot a little light oil on the four plastic rollers and work the motor assembly back and forth [ it doesn't make any difference what of oil you use ] If the main drive belt looks good [ compare to a new belt ] clean all the pulleys of any grease-oil or dirt and reinstall the belts. When the belts are reinstalled pull the motor toward the front of the washer and while holding the motor take your other hand and check the tension of the pump belt by squeezing it together in the center of the belt. IT should seem very LOOSE you should be able to squeeze the belt together till if touches in the middle with just a little force. [ The pump belt being too tight is the biggest reason that MT DC washers don't spin or agitate as they should.] If you can't do this loosen the pump belt by moving the water pump toward the motor after slightly loosening the pump mounting screws. The pump belts on MT washers almost never need replacing, replace only if it if frayed or missing parts of the rubber. John L.

Post# 838757 , Reply# 3 8/30/2015 at 19:32 (3,155 days old) by realvanman (Southern California)
Checkrate/Likes *Spin Speed. Still Anemic?* I hadn't seen those screws down there, thanks! I cleaned the pulleys, and the belt, and adjusted the water pump belt (it had indeed been too tight, thanks for that advice too). The motor moves very easily, and the springs appear to be in good shape. Adding slightly more belt tension prevents the motor from coming up to speed, so I think all of that is now working as well as it can. But look at this video. This is with nothing in the washer either. It sure seems slow to me, like a dragging brake or a sticky bearing.... CLICK HERE TO GO TO realvanman's LINK

Post# 838765 , Reply# 4 8/30/2015 at 20:28 (3,155 days old) by combo52 (50 Year Repair Tech Beltsville,Md)
Checkrate/Likes 1 It looks and sounds pretty normal to me, the acceleration seems very good for a MT washer. You have to remember MT washers are rather anemic performing washers, if you want a vintage type washer that will really kick some butt get a Norge, or at the least a WP-KM or even a GE Filter Flow Washer. The other thing we do if you really want to use a MT is put a 50 cycle motor pulley on and add a KM or WP agitator, then you have a much better performing washer. I have been rebuilding and doing in home service on washers for almost 40 years, and rebuilt hundreds of MT washers, yet I would never leave one in my laundry room for very long, they are just too anemic in their factory form for my taste.