Thread Number: 68142  /  Tag: Vintage Automatic Washers
Whirlpool Imperial Tub Removal
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Post# 908601   11/26/2016 at 18:01 (2,679 days old) by wigwag (San Diego)        

Howdy,

its been awhile and I don't remember if taking out the 4 bolts on the tub and the drive block is enough to get the tub out of the machine. I've not taken off anything underneath on the transmission or anything. Should I take that off first? I'm looking to take everything apart and reseal it.



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Post# 908602 , Reply# 1   11/26/2016 at 18:03 (2,679 days old) by wigwag (San Diego)        
rubber "skirt" under drive block

I also don't recall seeing that rubber "skirt", this machine is a 1978 I believe.

Post# 908701 , Reply# 2   11/27/2016 at 11:01 (2,678 days old) by Kenmoreguy64 (Charlotte, NC)        

kenmoreguy64's profile picture
Stephen,

You don't need to disassemble any mechanicals under the baseplate to remove the tub. You will want to disconnect the hoses coming from the filter port however which in your picture is at the 1-o'clock position. Due to limited space, they are usually easiest to disconnect at the pump and drain ends down below, instead of at the port itself.

That is one cruddy tub. Some of that will come off if you're interested, some won't. When the tub is out, they are easy to clean with a hose and nozzle, etc.

You do need to remove the four tub bolts, and you already have the basket drive block off. That is all you need to remove other than the filter hoses. I have some tips as to how to remove the tub most effectively:

I can't see it very well in the picture, but the centerpost gasket is likely stuck to the centerpost, and the walls of tub mounting surface are probably stuck to the center gasket. This area of the tub becomes delicate over time, so you will want to loosen this area thoroughly before pulling the tub upward. A penetrating oil can be very helpful. You will also need to loosen the tub from the drain grommet under the tub outlet. There is enough flex in these largest capacity tubs that if you insert your fingers between the baseplate but under the tub, right there at the grommet, you can pop that area loose without too much stress on the rest of the tub.

Unfortunately, if the tub is in bad shape, deteriorated portions may crack or break at the grommet or the center gasket.

Make sure the centerpost itself is clean and debris-free, or at least as clear as possible. This will help pulling the tub upward. I like to coat these with a light layer of dishwashing or hand soap. That helps everything slide. Again, you don't want to put a lot of pressure on the center gasket mounting area, as this can damage weakened areas.

I, like you, am unfamiliar with that rubber bushing. There were some aftermarket parts that installed in that area to counteract noisy bearings I believe, or this could be something to aid in protecting the centerpost bearings from getting wet.

If all goes well, I recommend a new 96386 tub grommet. The smaller grommet used on many standard capacity and late models is often easy to re-use, but these large capacity grommets that were used from 1967-1981 are formed differently, and are usually very flattened out and questionable to re-use. These have been NLA for some time, but can be found on eBay, and at last check, SearsParts had them for less than $10.

What is the serial number of your machines? This is a 1977 and older configuration, not the 1978 short centerpost. Perhaps this machine was made in very late '77 as a '78 model?

Finally, what is the model number of your machine? I'd like to look up the parts list to see if that bushing is shown on the parts list.

I hope this info helps you.

Gordon


Post# 908764 , Reply# 3   11/27/2016 at 19:00 (2,678 days old) by combo52 (50 Year Repair Tech Beltsville,Md)        
Rubber Guard On Spin Tube

combo52's profile picture

Was used by WP on the first years of the shorter [ standard length ] spin tube and center post on Super Capacity washers, I think the though was that it would help protect the seal area from moisture etc, but it proved to be unnecessary and was properly discontinued.


Post# 908790 , Reply# 4   11/27/2016 at 22:40 (2,678 days old) by wigwag (San Diego)        
Thank You All

That was very helpful. I'm certain I'll have more questions as I go along.

Post# 908796 , Reply# 5   11/28/2016 at 00:14 (2,678 days old) by wigwag (San Diego)        
todays progress

I couldn't get the tub out, only was able to inch is slightly to the left and right, I've got it soaking in some liquid wrench. I did get the transmission out, I seem to remember a little bearing underneath the little plastic part on the transmission. I don't have one, but I can see the hole for where it should be, also the plasic thing seems to be newer than the other plastic things. Does that matter?

I also can't get the spin tube out and I'm afraid to pull on it too hard. Here are some pics, the tub is obviously going to be a real pain. Underneath the machine looks pretty clean, just the tub is horrible.


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Post# 908797 , Reply# 6   11/28/2016 at 00:23 (2,678 days old) by wigwag (San Diego)        
model number LAA7888OYO

I was able to source the following parts

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Post# 909289 , Reply# 7   12/1/2016 at 18:31 (2,674 days old) by Frigilux (The Minnesota Prairie)        

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Temporary Hijack: Gordon, I've always loved the console of the Kenmore washer in your profile pic. Knew a family with one as a kid. The timer dial reminds me of a '58 Frigidaire. The interior looks a lot like our '60 Model 80. Is it a '61 or '62, maybe?

Post# 909301 , Reply# 8   12/1/2016 at 20:10 (2,674 days old) by combo52 (50 Year Repair Tech Beltsville,Md)        
1961 Kenmore 70 series washer

combo52's profile picture

Hi Eugene, I always liked this style as well, the styling really took in the 60s as we left the gloomy 50s appliances and cars behind, along with republican presidents for almost a decade.

 

I am sure that Gordon can tell us more details about this washer and where it fits in the line-up.


Post# 909308 , Reply# 9   12/1/2016 at 21:13 (2,674 days old) by Gyrafoam (Wytheville, VA)        

I understand the frustration trying to get the tub out. When I had to remove a tub on an old belt-drive from the early sixties I tried everything from spray to heat and nothing worked. Then I literally had to stand in the tub and stomp it back and forth to finally get it out! I was afraid I would break something, however, I was told it would work and it did---without any damage.

Post# 909322 , Reply# 10   12/2/2016 at 01:13 (2,674 days old) by 114jwh (Vancouver)        
I'm definitely not an expert but....

....I had the same problem when I was trying to remove the tub in my 60's belt drive. I did the same as you and removed the transmission from the basket drive cause that damn spin tube would not budge.

I ended up using a socket and a hammer to pound on the thing with the machine standing up. After doing that for at least an hour it finally gave. Turned out the lower bearing was rusted onto the spin tube. It was so strongly fused to the spin tube that it actually came out with it.

Once that was out I had to slice the grommet into pieces with an exacto knife and pull out the pieces with needle nose pliers and forceps. Tub finally gave way and all was well. Not sure this is the best way to do this but it did work for me and I couldn't get it out any other way.


CLICK HERE TO GO TO 114jwh's LINK


Post# 910285 , Reply# 11   12/9/2016 at 05:53 (2,667 days old) by Kenmoreguy64 (Charlotte, NC)        
Eugene and John

kenmoreguy64's profile picture
Continuing the temporary hijack...

The machine in my profile pic is a 1961 Kenmore Seventy series. This is one of two primary 70 series models that year as the other had the same physical console but different controls with push-in buttons similar to a 1963 Lady K that stop the timer knob rotation when it reaches a selected cycle.

The model in my pic seems to have been more common. This is the model we had in my childhood, but I never saw another of these until years after we got rid of ours at the appliance repair classroom at a Denver area vocational college in 1982.

After joining the site I learned from other posters just how many of these seem to have been out there in circulation in their heyday, and that I am not the only club member whose washer hobby was started by this model.

One interesting tidbit...searching Sears model numbers has revealed that there was a version of this machine with a self cleaning filter. Haven't seen one of those yet!

Gordon



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