AFTER countless hours reading through Neptune related threads on this forum, I decided to go ahead and add a Neptune to the collection. I found a MAH4000 and MDE4000 for sale on Kijiji. The owner disclosed the bearings were bad in the machine hence the replacement. I watched a few YouTube videos of how people have done this, with and without a bearing puller. And in one video, the Neptunes rear bearing catastrophically failed to the point where the basket was no longer true, and was sagging. I thought "Gee, I sure hope that wont be my Neptune!"

Gee, it sure did.

So what do you do if the bearing puller wont, well cant, pull bearings?

The rear pulley didnt do too much damage to the rear of the outer tub so that was a win. So, knowing the rear bearing had been destroyed, how would I pull it, if all thats left is the outer race?

First things first we must remove the basket. This wont come out correctly as its no longer aligned with the front bearing if its sagging, so I supported the bottom of the tub with two sanding blocks and banged it out nicely. If you look closely in the first picture, you may be able to see the bearing ball cage on the bottom of the frame. 

In the first picture you can see the rear bearing. I found parts of it, such as the inner race and balls, all over the frame. This is our first challenge. In order to get the puller on the front bearing, we would have to cut the outer race out.

In the second picture you can see the front bearing with the seal still in place. This, was beyond a doubt, fused to the bearing holder. I tried hours of WD-40 soaking, hold time on the bearing puller in place with no avail. It, unfortunately, had to be banged out. Because the rear seal had gone on the inner bearing, and the inner race had so much play, a few slams with the cold chisel sent the inner race flying away.

The next step is to very carefully cut three straight slices on an angle on the outer races. Why angled? Whether youre coming from the front or back, you can chip away the race easier. Hit the race on a right angle on a section between the cut marks and you can chip away the race if its that stuck. Which the rear was.

Three slices because if you cold chisel or bang on the middle cut mark, you can split it right down the cut line and take most of the sections between the two outer cut lines with it.

Eventually this will work and the outer race will tap out nicely. All in all, this most invasive method took probably 10 minutes per bearing. After theyre out, the typical sand and wire wheel the bearing holders and rod out the drains is whats needed. You can then go about replacing the bearings as regular.

I bought two brand new SKF bearings from Motion Canada. They fit nicely, 6206 2RS and 6207 2RS.

Although this machine had the worst bearing mishap as I did have to silicone a bit of the rear outer tub, the machine has little mold and smelled just fine. I chalk it up to the fact the bleach dispenser cup has a white film on it, meaning the previous owner was not afraid of bleach. The control panel was also insanely clean. The only other thing I replaced was the wax motor, even though it was one of the black tip ones. The control board/R11 stuff is not burnt. And the motor has all phases functioning.

I love this machine already, cleans very very well, and the capacity is perfect. Having experience with front loaders before, this machine is sure no non-sense balancing. Glad to be apart of club Neptune.

Zero complaints.

Thanks, Jim!

I hope you get to use your MAH6500 for a long time coming. Theyre such nice machines all around. And Im sure there is lot of people here willing to help if you need it!

Do you just pound the bearings out, Martin?

I want to find a way to get it to do 1000rpm spin, that would be sweet.

Hey John,

Unfortunately the lip seal revision wont/wouldnt fit. I thought about it but on the 4000s, and probably the 3000s too, there is a 1/4 inch grove milled in to the spiders shaft where the forward half of the lip seal sits,  thats not there on the newer machines like the 5500, 6500, and 7500 and the newer style seal wont seat properly.

Martin! I was wondering if a friend of mine may be able to do some programming on the circuit board to change it to 1000rpm. Hes big in to electronic repair. If he can I for sure will post a guide.

Thanks Ben!

Yes, that RCA Whirlpool is beautiful. Do you have a close up? Money shot?

Also, whats the Maytag Neptune etiquette? Door open, or door closed when its not needed?

I always left the door open on my GE FL and used the clean washer cycle as per the manuals instructions. when I lived in Calgary. It was a property I was renting.

But there is nothing in the MAH4000s manual about leaving the door open or clean cycles, just to like you said, clean the dispenser cups. I personally dont think you need one if youre using detergent and bleach properly.

Funny you should mention the blue hue, its non existent in this dryer.

Thanks for your help, Martin.