This is a record of some kind for me.   I managed to get the inevitable "do-over" of one of my restorations over and done with within just one month of the initial restore, but I also managed to repair a GE washer transmission!  

I admit it, I was scared like hell however, thanks to the information found on this site and a copy of the original GE manual for my 1957 GE Filter Flo washer I did it! 

Recall that the GE WA857 (Canadian version of the WA855) was finally restored, but on the 2nd and 3rd loads of laundry done with it I noted the dreaded 'sympathetic spin'.   I'd been dithering over working on this machine for years, so I wasn't ready to give up just yet.  

The machine was pulled out of service and I dismantled it in the laundry room (the 55 Norge got to be the 'place filler').   This was the easy part... 

Here's what scared me....  I guess it wasn't such a bad thing that I messed around with that poor 1960 GE washer transmission, even though it was beyond hope.  I managed to crack the 57 transmission open fairly quickly.  

Look! This one still has oil in it!!

Again, as documented in a thread by jetcone (Jon), the snubber brake assembly is on the transmission cover plate.  When the machine is running and the transmission is in an upright position, that nylon part, the snubber,  shown in the last picture would be pointed down. As the transmission shaft rotated, it would contact the brake band tang; this would prevent the washer tub from turning in a clockwise rotation while the washer is agitating.   The brake bands wear out (even after only nearly 61 years... LOL) and slip.  This is what causes the 'spin in activation' condition described in the GE service manual.  Sonny Service sure got that description right.  

It took some doing to snap that subber brake band off and as I did so, it refused to stay still.  

No wonder - that old brake band is worn out but good... 

I owe Jon big time - not only did he find someone who was willing to make a brake band like this, the person who did this still had Jon's specs and sample from his 1956 Filter Flo.  This was a huge bonus for me - the lining for the 1956 and 1957 models are identical, so I got a new brake in about a week. 

It was not too bad to install and it sure didn't slip any more!

I posted a couple of question regarding the transmission seals, since I did have a set for this model GE.  As it turned out, I chose not replace the lower seal because of the condition of the basket drive hub.  

However, the upper (activator) seal leaked fairly badly.  It looked like the Santa Barbara oil spill on the garage floor while I had the transmission upside down to remove the drive plate.... OOPS.  

I almost had a panic attack when I replaced the top seal and I noticed that I didn't have the cap that is installed above the seal.  Amazingly, in the box of parts I got years from Larry at Modern Parts there was a note he wrote me to explain how to re-use the original cap with a newer-style top seal.  Even from the Great Beyond, Mr. Olmo was still able to help me out.   Scary stuff!!! 

I didn't take more photos of the top seal... sorry 'bout that...   I had a wee potential problem with a seal for the drive pulley bolt, but as previously posted, Robert's suggestion of cutting a new seal and reinforcing with silicone worked wonderfully.  

The transmission held it's oil during overnight testing - phew!

I put in new oil, of course.  I used the recommended 54 ounces of 40-weight non-detergent engine oil.

This is always the 'fun' part of a major repair like this.  Even I have learned that it's best not to rush things and make sure things like seals and gaskets go back together the way they should... 

I did a water test following the reinstallation of the transmission boot - no leaks!  I also saw a potential boo-boo from round 1 of this restoration - I had neglected to put in a drain baffle on the tub drain.  Oddly enough, when I dismantled the machine the first time around, there was no baffle.  Perhaps the previous owner had some serious work on this machine done... 

What I did manage to do was tear the suds-return nozzle... GGGRRR....  I beefed it up with some auto weatherstripping adhesive and it seemed to hold.

While I didn't manage to bust the fill flume (you'd have heard the swearing in both official languages if I had...) I did notice some splash-back while the washer was filling, causing a dribble down the back of the tub.  Funny, but I didn't see this last time around.  Anyway, I improvised a splash guard of sorts... Not pretty, but it works! 

Of course, only I would wait until the machine was back together to try the washer to see if the transmission still worked.... 

It did.  

Yay!

And now, the 'Victory Wash'! 

I was a little concerned about how much the tub was still indexing... But that was a darned big load of laundry!

There were no oil spots on the robes and towels - so that top seal held!  

And of course, this load of washing had to be dried, automatically of course, in the matching 57 GE Clothes Conditioner.   

Do I get my 'GE Badge' now??  

Thanks, Greg!   Chris is still dumbstruck that I pulled this off... LOL 

Here's the information about the place where the brake bands were made (information previously posted by Jon about his '56 Filter Flo):

Timothy J. Doran

AllFrictions LLC

131 Freestone Avenue,  Portland, CT  06480-1819

Tel:  860-342-2001   Fax:  860-342-2084

info@allfrictions.com    website:  www.allfrictions.com ...

The owner, Timothy Doran, is geniunely interested in the need for parts like these and is happy to help out.  

If my nerve holds, I'm thinking of dismantling that 57 Hotpoint clutch of mine and seeing if they can re-line the shoes...  

Yay Paul, great work!  I did the same thing to my '58 Filter-Flo transmission and it does index a bit with heavy loads, but nothing like it was before I changed the brake lining like you did. 

Seems about the same as mine from the video you posted.

That's a good question Ben.  My guess would be yes only because so much of GE's washer transmission parts were standardized and fit from the early direct-drive AW6 through the end of the Filter-Flo's in the mid 90's.  However I'm not sure, but if the lining is too large length wise it can always be trimmed down.  The only issue I can see would be if the replacement lining is too small.

EXCELLENT JOB!!!  Like Ben said above- so glad this pair gets checked off the list.  Those make a beautiful laundry pair.

Congratulations on a great job.

lawrence