Thread Number: 7388
1968 ROLLERMATIC - DONE or not
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Post# 145146   7/26/2006 at 08:00 (6,455 days old) by mayken4now (Panama City, Florida)        

mayken4now's profile picture
Hey all, you may remember a thread posting of me doing my first rollermatic and the nightmare's with the jetcone removal ETC......... Received a lot of excellent suggestions and tips via email from a lot of club members.

Here is the machine in all it's glory, new painted cabinet and every part has been cleaned. Outer tub POR 15. New feet/shoes. And a lot more. It was not that difficult putting it back together.

There is one thing about the machine that deams it trash. It wont spin. The clutch in one of the spin rollers is not engaging the break or something like that. The roller spins but will not grab the tub, hence no spin or very very slow. This is why the jetcone was slipping in the first place when I tried to take the nut off. I must have stripped something.

Steve





Post# 145148 , Reply# 1   7/26/2006 at 08:02 (6,455 days old) by mayken4now (Panama City, Florida)        

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Next

Post# 145149 , Reply# 2   7/26/2006 at 08:02 (6,455 days old) by mayken4now (Panama City, Florida)        

mayken4now's profile picture
and the back, yes we even had the service panel painted.



Post# 145154 , Reply# 3   7/26/2006 at 08:08 (6,455 days old) by northwesty (Renton, WA)        
Well, it sure looks like new

To paint the panels did you take it to an autobody shop?

Post# 145165 , Reply# 4   7/26/2006 at 08:34 (6,455 days old) by christfr (st louis mo)        
awesome

christfr's profile picture
it looks fantastic.....have to tell you that is the same exact machine im workin on here..uh oh..mine is all apart in the garage have to repeat coat the por today..this one ran fine but has a brake prob too..when the motor kicks off and the brake engages it sounds like a machine gun. all i can tell is that it has something to do with the solenoid in there but will get to that next week..well at least now i can tell what she is supposed to look like..good luck to you and keep us posted..i want to know all the details...hugs from st louis

Post# 145182 , Reply# 5   7/26/2006 at 09:00 (6,455 days old) by filterflo (Chicago Area)        

Great work Steve, looks showroom new. Sounds like your rapidry clutch needs some attention. They tend to get dirty inside and bind up on the shaft and the linings wear and need readjustment. Its not really too difficult. After all the hard work you've done on this washer, Im sure you can tackle a clutch rebuild...........

Post# 145184 , Reply# 6   7/26/2006 at 09:13 (6,455 days old) by unimatic1140 (Minneapolis)        

unimatic1140's profile picture
Steve the machine looks just beautiful. Do you have service information on the Rollermatic clutch?

Post# 145208 , Reply# 7   7/26/2006 at 10:18 (6,455 days old) by thirtyater ()        

Very nice job! That looks a lot like the Gold Crown Rollermatic we had when I was a kid. Ours had a window lid though. After numerous trips to the Frigidaire repair shop we sent ours to the crusher at 7 years old. Sure wish I had that machine today!

Post# 145210 , Reply# 8   7/26/2006 at 10:19 (6,455 days old) by rickr (.)        
Looking good!!

rickr's profile picture
Looks like a brand new machine Steve! I am sure you will find your way through the no spin problem. Lots of Frigidaire experts around here you know. (:

Post# 145254 , Reply# 9   7/26/2006 at 11:54 (6,455 days old) by pdub (Portland, Oregon)        
very cool Steve!

pdub's profile picture
Your hard work is inspiring. Sorry to hear about the spin problem. I'm sure you'll get it fixed though knowing you. The machine does look beautiful. I have a similar washer that I need to get to work on but have been consumed with other washers, dryers and dishwashers lately. Your photos have motivated me and I hope to start this weekend. Again, great job and looking good. Patrick

Post# 145345 , Reply# 10   7/26/2006 at 18:33 (6,454 days old) by helicaldrive (St. Louis)        
It's beautiful!

Don't give up on it now! Maybe August 5 will bring the answer to you.

BTW, it felt SO GOOD to finally have power and A/C again when I came home from work Monday night! I wasn't expecting to have it again until Thursday.


Post# 145362 , Reply# 11   7/26/2006 at 20:26 (6,454 days old) by mayken4now (Panama City, Florida)        
Answers

mayken4now's profile picture
northwesty "To paint the panels did you tiak it to an autobody shop?"

Yes

FilterFlo " Sounds like your rapidry clutch needs some attention. The tend to get dirty insie and bind up on the shaft and the linings wear and need re adjustment."

The rapid dry clutch and inner parts were rather clean, but what a mess of the brake shoes(if thats what you call them)

unimatic1140 "Do you have service information on the Rollermatic clutch?"

Yes, it is the tech talk books aquired from gyrafoam and PeterH. I am not sure if those are discritptive however.

Steve


Post# 145364 , Reply# 12   7/26/2006 at 20:34 (6,454 days old) by mayken4now (Panama City, Florida)        
Here we go

mayken4now's profile picture
Look at all the peices I had to take apart. Oh my, after all the money and time, I am very dissapointed and upset. I never thought that a washer could get me this upset. I told Jeff (my partner) I am very dissapointed, please bear with me right now. He said "you should have done what I told you to do when the jetcone and agitate shaft would not come out" "throw it away". I wonder if he was right?

I have spent three weeks, working, paying money (about 475.00) and a lot of sweat and frustration for a junk machine. OMG, I have never been a quitter however.

The problem is concentrated in all the parts posted in the picture, when I took the spin roller apart, broken parts everywhere. Included, but not limited to two tiny key way pieces it appeared as they were brass. I am unsure if new brake shoes or a whole replacement clutch would solve the trick. The spin shaft has me puzzled.

If not, I will part the machine out. It has a great cabinet now!

Thanks for all your comments and suggestions, we win and loose some folks! This is just a hobby and a passion for old machines.

Steve


Post# 145365 , Reply# 13   7/26/2006 at 20:35 (6,454 days old) by mayken4now (Panama City, Florida)        
the shaft

mayken4now's profile picture
here is the shaft, if you can see what I am talking about

Post# 145366 , Reply# 14   7/26/2006 at 20:37 (6,454 days old) by mayken4now (Panama City, Florida)        
And more broken parts

mayken4now's profile picture
There was sheared plastic, metal shavings, broken brake shoes, etc.

Steve


Post# 145367 , Reply# 15   7/26/2006 at 20:43 (6,454 days old) by mayken4now (Panama City, Florida)        

mayken4now's profile picture
Once again, thanks to gansky1 for the machine, Gyrafoam for getting it to me. I know what these guys are saying, and I feel bad, but the machine would have broke down real soon anyway. It did perfom perfect before I started to take it apart. Again, all I wanted to do was to take it apart, clean it thoroughly and have it painted. Opps, not with one of these, you take the whole machine to the painter when it works well to begin with. I am used of Maytag's (Yikes)!

I should have listened to Unimatic1140 about just wet the lint, don't try to take all that apart, you will create a lot of work for yourself. In part, I agree, however, water and soap were not the answer for the "HARD, CALCIUM, IRON, AND WHATEVER ELSE MACHINE. The pressure washer did not even get it all off, it took me some sno bowl to remove what was left.

Ok engough.

I need a rollematic if anyone has one for sale!!!!!

LOL

Steve


Post# 145369 , Reply# 16   7/26/2006 at 20:48 (6,454 days old) by filterflo (Chicago Area)        

Hi Steve, Dont Fret! You just have a case of Frigidaire owners hebejebe's! The clutch looks like its a mess, but it really isnt. It can be fixed pretty easily, and we can help you thru it. Just take a couple of days away from it, and when your temper cools down and your ambition goes back up, tackle it again. If worse comes to worse, send me the clutch and I can put it back together for you and ready to re-install. Take it from me, its really not so tough, it just looks that way..........

Post# 145370 , Reply# 17   7/26/2006 at 20:50 (6,454 days old) by westytoploader ()        

Hi Steve,

Sorry about your troubles with the Rollermatic, they can really be a b*tch sometimes, but don't give up on it yet. Even though you said there were broken parts in the spin roller/clutch and that might need repair is well, it doesn't sound like that is the origin of the no-spin problem. Judging by what you said about no spin and the Jetcone turning, it sounds like your spin shaft key is either broken or missing. It is a small piece of brass that fits into the "spin tube" (for lack of a better word) and grabs the tub for spin as well as holds the Jetcone in place. If you can remove the old, broken one and piece it together, you could have a new one made at a machine shop.

Out of all the problems a machine can have, no spin is the absolute most frustrating. Been there, done that, except with a '55 Maytag. Hopefully it won't happen again, knock on wood.

Good luck on the repair,
Austin


Post# 145374 , Reply# 18   7/26/2006 at 21:12 (6,454 days old) by rickr (.)        

rickr's profile picture
Steve, you will get this machine going just fine. This is all just "curves in the road" Gotta love what your partner said about throwing it away. If it were all just that simple, huh?? <:
Sometimes it's best to give a project a rest for a week or so. Then you come back with fresh ideas, and help from friends.

Rick


Post# 145377 , Reply# 19   7/26/2006 at 21:16 (6,454 days old) by unimatic1140 (Minneapolis)        

unimatic1140's profile picture
I agree Steve, if there is a will there is a way. Worse comes to worse the beautiful cabinet will need to wait until you locate another clutch.

The repair information you have is very indepth and should be helpful.


Post# 145561 , Reply# 20   7/27/2006 at 22:12 (6,453 days old) by mayken4now (Panama City, Florida)        

mayken4now's profile picture
Ok I will wait. Like previous posting, I am not a quitter.

Jimmy (Filterflo) has been more than helpful as far as getting my machine back up and running. I can tell he wants this one to succeed! I will have to rely on him a bit more for excellent advice.

I have a fellow here in Pensaolca, who is 78 yo, that will be here in a week that worked for Frigidiare since 1947 until the WCI downfall, but he is rather slow in memory these days.

Anyway, the Rollermatic will sit until a decision is made, and the one I want is to see it up and running.

Thanks for all the suggestions.

I am not upset anymore

Steve


Post# 145622 , Reply# 21   7/28/2006 at 09:40 (6,453 days old) by panthera (Rocky Mountains)        
Steve,

panthera's profile picture
I've taken some heat on this forum in the past over my comments on how nasty rollermatics can be...believe me you have my sympathy.
At the same time, I agree with everybody else. The progress on this machine so far shows how competent you are.
I definitely agree - take a break and tackle it again when you are feeling better about it.
The clutch is not an impossible rebuild, it is a matter of following directions (and having the right parts in reach at exactly the right time). It's bark is worse than it's bite.


Post# 145673 , Reply# 22   7/28/2006 at 14:56 (6,453 days old) by christfr (st louis mo)        
oh brother

christfr's profile picture
who would have thought..well steve ive got the same exact machine with the same prob..im stuck at the point where i cant get the clutch off..how did you get that damn thing off?? and please let me in on any info you find out about rebuilding it...ill keep my fingers crossed for you then i know i can do it too..

Post# 145687 , Reply# 23   7/28/2006 at 16:00 (6,452 days old) by christfr (st louis mo)        
ha ha

christfr's profile picture
got the damn thing off and half apart this will be way to interesting....hum

Post# 145699 , Reply# 24   7/28/2006 at 16:43 (6,452 days old) by filterflo (Chicago Area)        

Hi Chris, The clutch is really NOT a difficult thing to work on. You and Steve are not disassembling it properly and making a rather simple task VERY difficult.........I sent both you and Steve and email detailing how the clutch comes apart....... Hope it helps you out. Its really NOT a bad job to do at all, and once you do it, you will be an expert at it! Jimmy

Post# 145723 , Reply# 25   7/28/2006 at 17:55 (6,452 days old) by gansky1 (Omaha, The Home of the TV Dinner!)        

gansky1's profile picture
Would you post those instructions here, Jimmy? I saw you do this a couple of years ago but I'm sure this question will come up again and again, that way it will be available on the search through the archives.

Thanks!


Post# 145745 , Reply# 26   7/28/2006 at 20:41 (6,452 days old) by christfr (st louis mo)        
well

christfr's profile picture
jimmy sent some fantastic instructions but i cant get the document to post?..his instructions are right on the money but seem this cluth has a plastic toothed thing there that is way to worn down. got it reinstalled but it didnt last..the rapid dry killed it all the way.. so like steve im on a search or a clutch

Post# 145754 , Reply# 27   7/28/2006 at 22:02 (6,452 days old) by westytoploader ()        

Plastic toothed thing? That wouldn't be the brake cam, would it?

Post# 145821 , Reply# 28   7/29/2006 at 08:41 (6,452 days old) by mayken4now (Panama City, Florida)        
How to Instructions from FilterFlo

mayken4now's profile picture
Hi Chris,
Really not odd at all that both of those washers have the same problem. It was a weak link in the design. Both of you also are making a really simple job very difficult by not disassembling the clutch in the proper manner, Its really very very simple:


1. Undo the agitate arm, and move it out of the way....

2. Push UP on the clutch as far as you can, and also push up in the serrated locking tab that holds the little hex nut in place, in order to unlock the hex nut. Turn the hex nut, with either a pair or pliers or channel locks counterclockwise and unscrew the hex nut from the threads.

3. At this point, by turning the WHOLE CLUTCH back and forth, it will work its way down off the shaft. It comes off in ONE COMPLETE ASSEMBLY. DO NOT UNSCREW THE THREE SCREWS THAT HOLD TWO PARTS TOGETHER This only makes a mess of the clutch..................again, IT COMES OFF THE SHAFT AS ONE COMPLETE ASSEMBLY.


After the clutch is off the shaft, CAREFULLY note how it is put together. Take pictures of it or make a drawing of it if necessary, so you know how it goes back together.

After its off the shaft, then take it apart. WASH IN SOAP AND WATER EACH PIECE OF THE CLUTCH. It will not hurt it to get it wet. Thoroughly dry it with a clean rag.

CLEAN THE THREADED PART OF THE SPIN SHAFT WITH A WIRE BRUSH. This is VERY IMPORTATANT. IT MUST BE SPOTLESS TO WORK CORRECTLY.

In the clutch assembly, you will notice the machined piece, with machined slots in it that fit up on this part of the spin shaft. Its a round metal piece, slotted and machined, serrated, and it is VERY IMPORTANT THAT IS IS POLISHED AND CLEANED AND WILL SLIDE WITH NO BINDING UP AND DOWN ON THE SPIN SHAFT. Unless this piece fits properly, the tub will not brake at the end of spin, NOR WILL THE FRICTION PADS IN THE CLUTCH MAKE PROPER CONTACT AND THE TUB WILL NOT SPIN CORRECTLY.

After the clutch is all cleaned and you have put it back together, it goes back on the spin shaft AS ONE COMPLETE ASSEMBLY. The hex nut gets screwed back on the shaft, pushing up on the locking assembly, so that the clutch has about 1/4inch minimum travel up and down. Sometimes it takes a little trial and error to adjust it properly with the hex nut. The 1/4 inch travel is considered minimum, you might make it a hair more to start with...... Its really very easy. You MUST follow these directions that I have given you to make it work properly. MANY MANY MANY Frigidaires were tossed out, mainly because of ignorance of the service people and lack of training or just plain ineptitude. The clutch, once you follow these instructions, is really very very easy to work on............Good Luck

Jimmy



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