Thread Number: 79599  /  Tag: Vintage Automatic Washers
Repairing a Maytag A608
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Post# 1035003   6/10/2019 at 16:48 (1,753 days old) by cindyn54 (Hillsboro, TX)        

Loud squeal at end of wash cycle, and now the drum is "frozen" in place. I really want to have this washer repaired. Is there someone in Central Texas who can work on it for me?




Post# 1035006 , Reply# 1   6/10/2019 at 17:02 (1,753 days old) by LowEfficiency (Iowa)        

lowefficiency's profile picture
Hi Cindy, welcome to the forum!

First things first, check under the lip at the very top of the wash basket, all the way around that edge. Feel around, as it’s hard to see with your eyes. A suddenly appearing squeal and stuck tub could be a symptom of a stuck piece of clothing.

Here’s a photo of a sock that was stuck in my A209 when I purchased it, giving those same symptoms.


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Post# 1035070 , Reply# 2   6/11/2019 at 08:36 (1,752 days old) by cindyn54 (Hillsboro, TX)        

Amazing! I think there IS something stuck in there, but I can only see a bit of it. It also looks like it needs a good cleaning in there. What is the best way to remove it?


Post# 1035116 , Reply# 3   6/11/2019 at 17:44 (1,752 days old) by goatfarmer (South Bend, home of Champions)        

goatfarmer's profile picture

Unplug the machine. Take the front panel off, by removing the 2 screws on the lower front. Pull the bottom of the panel away from the washer, and the top unhooks. There are 2 screws that hold the top assemble to the cabinet. Take those 2 screws out, and tip the washer top back.

 See if you can dislodge whatever is in there this way. If not, take off the band clamp that circles the outer tub, and lift the sub top off.


Post# 1035118 , Reply# 4   6/11/2019 at 18:56 (1,752 days old) by cindyn54 (Hillsboro, TX)        

Turns out there wasn't anything stuck in there. So, I think I would really like to have someone work on it who is experienced with these old washers. I am a bit north of Waco, TX, and can take it to the Dallas area if need be. Anyone out there interested?


Post# 1035123 , Reply# 5   6/11/2019 at 22:23 (1,751 days old) by good-shepherd (New Jersey)        
now the drum is "frozen" in place

So the machine will agitate but not spin?

If so, there still could be an item of clothing jammed between the inner and outer tub further down out of sight.


Post# 1035143 , Reply# 6   6/12/2019 at 07:43 (1,751 days old) by combo52 (50 Year Repair Tech Beltsville,Md)        
Stuck Tub In A MT DC Washer

combo52's profile picture

Take the washer front off and see if there is any evidence of leaking from the seal above the transmission, on a washer this old there is a good chance the top bearing is sized from a water leak.

 

In any case try and find a good local repair person to check out and repair this washer, IF it is fixable be prepared to spend $ 300 and $600 to get it in good working condition.

 

John


Post# 1035165 , Reply# 7   6/12/2019 at 14:15 (1,751 days old) by DADoES (TX, U.S. of A.)        

dadoes's profile picture
 
I'd volunteer to have a look at it but she'd need to bring it down ~3.75 hrs distance.  I have three bearing/stem seal kits and three belt sets on-hand for spares and a long-time pending project.  I've done only one bearing job, for a friend in Feb 2013, but it hasn't (yet) come back, LOL.  Probably better to get a professional working-servicer on her case.


Post# 1035166 , Reply# 8   6/12/2019 at 14:20 (1,751 days old) by cindyn54 (Hillsboro, TX)        

I appreciate everyone's input on this. Next question: If I can't get this one repaired, does anyone (in Texas) have one for sale?


Post# 1035175 , Reply# 9   6/12/2019 at 16:39 (1,751 days old) by goatfarmer (South Bend, home of Champions)        

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Post# 1035176 , Reply# 10   6/12/2019 at 16:40 (1,751 days old) by goatfarmer (South Bend, home of Champions)        

goatfarmer's profile picture
Post# 1035177 , Reply# 11   6/12/2019 at 16:43 (1,751 days old) by goatfarmer (South Bend, home of Champions)        

goatfarmer's profile picture
Post# 1035178 , Reply# 12   6/12/2019 at 16:45 (1,751 days old) by goatfarmer (South Bend, home of Champions)        

goatfarmer's profile picture

Electronic set'



CLICK HERE TO GO TO goatfarmer's LINK on Dallas Craigslist

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Post# 1035199 , Reply# 13   6/12/2019 at 20:42 (1,750 days old) by cindyn54 (Hillsboro, TX)        

Thank you, Goatfarmer, but I would really like to find another LA
608, if possible.


Post# 1035331 , Reply# 14   6/14/2019 at 10:18 (1,749 days old) by LowEfficiency (Iowa)        

lowefficiency's profile picture

>> but I would really like to find another LA 608, if possible.

Hi Cindy, that new detail ("LA608" vs the originally typed "A608") actually changes things quite a bit.


The Maytag washers of this series were produced for about a decade, with the A608 model appearing in the last few years of that. The "L" prefix, however, indicates that your machine is the Light Almond color, which came quite late in the run as well, also only the last few years.

Almond machines in this series don't show up for sale very often. Combine the rarity of the color, with a specific model (A608) that was only produced for a few years, and your odds of finding one used like it, 40 years later, in good working condition, are a needle in a haystack. You might find one, but it might take years of searching to do so. And you might only find one in worse shape than yours.

So with that in mind, I would say your best bet is to either find a local repair shop to work on your machine, or dive into it yourself if you are mechanically inclined. Finding someone to work on it may be difficult - grab the phonebook and call every standalone Mom & Pop type place you can find, until you find someone willing to look at it.

The GOOD news is that the most valuable part of your machine is the cabinet and control panel, both of which could be swapped over to the mechanical guts of any machine from a 20+ year span as a last resort. So even if your machine is given a terminal diagnosis, you are still far from being out of luck. Of course doing this would still require a local service person willing to work on the machine...

Good luck!


Post# 1035332 , Reply# 15   6/14/2019 at 11:34 (1,749 days old) by combo52 (50 Year Repair Tech Beltsville,Md)        
Finding Another LA608 Washer

combo52's profile picture

Reply # 14 is good advice, however Almond colored MTs are very common in this time period, nearly 1/2 of MTs production was the almond color from 1977-the mid 80s.

 

MT dropped the avocado, harvest and Coppertone sooner than the bigger appliance manufactures leaving the almond color as the only choice to common and tired white.

 

John L.


Post# 1035420 , Reply# 16   6/15/2019 at 18:04 (1,748 days old) by LowEfficiency (Iowa)        

lowefficiency's profile picture

This is where I wish I had some better information on the production dates. From the brochures scans others have posted, I can see that most of the colors (avocado, etc) continued at least through '78, and Harvest Wheat at least through '89 on select models.

... but for this case, the change-over from the -06/-07/-08 center-dial models to the restyled -10 series happened in what, 1980?
So there were still only those few years from 1977-80 that could have produced an Almond center-dial machine like what Cindy is after.

Please let me know if you have better or more specific information!


Post# 1035527 , Reply# 17   6/17/2019 at 10:40 (1,746 days old) by cindyn54 (Hillsboro, TX)        

It would be great if I could either repair my washer, or find another one, same model. But I'm open to finding another vintage Maytag, preferably something from 70's or 80's.

Post# 1036020 , Reply# 18   6/21/2019 at 21:52 (1,741 days old) by cindyn54 (Hillsboro, TX)        

Well, I found a very reputable appliance man who came and took a look at my washer. Sadly, the verdict is, it has reached the end of the road. Transmission is bad. After a brief period of mourning, I am looking for another "older" machine now. Just do not want anything electronic.

I hate to sell the Maytag for scrap. Is there anyone who would want it? It is a nice-looking machine.


Post# 1036033 , Reply# 19   6/22/2019 at 06:35 (1,741 days old) by DADoES (TX, U.S. of A.)        

dadoes's profile picture
 
The transmission could be replaced ... either a used or refurbed/repaired pitman-style if one can be found, or the newer orbital style subs in directly.


Post# 1036046 , Reply# 20   6/22/2019 at 08:08 (1,741 days old) by stricklybojack (South Hams Devon UK)        

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.
Here is a Maytag pair cheap:


CLICK HERE TO GO TO stricklybojack's LINK on Dallas Craigslist


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Post# 1036048 , Reply# 21   6/22/2019 at 08:13 (1,741 days old) by stricklybojack (South Hams Devon UK)        

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.
Here is a Whirlpool pair:


CLICK HERE TO GO TO stricklybojack's LINK on Dallas Craigslist


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Post# 1036092 , Reply# 22   6/22/2019 at 10:15 (1,741 days old) by stricklybojack (South Hams Devon UK)        

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Post# 1036176 , Reply# 23   6/23/2019 at 10:00 (1,740 days old) by LowEfficiency (Iowa)        

lowefficiency's profile picture

>> Sadly, the verdict is, it has reached the end of the road. Transmission is bad.

It is admittedly a fair amount of parts and labor to replace the transmission. But it is far less labor, and far cheaper, to simply transplant the entire transmission & tub assembly from a donor washer, especially as you can do so from any number of 1980s Maytags. Is your service person willing to do this procedure?


Post# 1036185 , Reply# 24   6/23/2019 at 12:19 (1,740 days old) by DADoES (TX, U.S. of A.)        

dadoes's profile picture
 
For reference and documentation, in what way(s) can the transmission fail that will cause the basket to seize?


Post# 1036199 , Reply# 25   6/23/2019 at 17:51 (1,740 days old) by qsd-dan (West)        
Something is fishy here......

qsd-dan's profile picture
A seized transmission (it's actually the agitator shaft in the upper housing, not the transmission itself) in these machines will not agitate but WILL spin. Conversely, a seized tub (due to jamming, seized tub bearing, stuck brake package, ect) will not spin but WILL agitate. Basically, it should be something. If the machine does nothing, it's a timer/motor/lid switch/wiring or electrical problem.

I'd be leery about taking advice from a repair person, especially if they're under 50, as most aren't well versed on these older machines and it's easy to misdiagnose the problem or just claim "Yeah, it's dead" when they come up empty handed, take your money, and move on to next victim......err....customer.

Lets confirm the transmission:

Grab a 4X4 piece of wood (or something solid and similar in size), tilt the front of the machine back and stick it under the right front foot.

Locate the center pulley. Slip the belt off of the pulley if it's still in place (looks like you removed the belt in your earlier posting).

Grab the center pulley and turn it COUNTER-clockwise.

Report back if the pulley is easy to turn, difficult to turn, or is seized up.


Post# 1036204 , Reply# 26   6/23/2019 at 19:14 (1,740 days old) by Combo52 (50 Year Repair Tech Beltsville,Md)        
Bad transmission?

combo52's profile picture
Yes Glen and Dan, you are likely correct this is not a bad transmission but a bad tub bearing if the description of the problem is accurate. The repair guy that came out only knew enough to know that it was a serious problem and he didn’t want to fool with it.

The real question is it would cost $300 to $400 to tear one of these machines apart in the field and put a tub bearing and/or transmission in it there aren’t many people that want to spend that much on an older washer.

A few weeks ago I had to replace an orbital transmission in a 20-year-old Maytag washer, the agitator shaft had become pitted and rusted and the top shaft of the transmission seized. By the time we put in a good used transmission new center seal and bearing assembly it cost the customer over $300, it also had issues with rust around the top lip of the outer tub that we had to go back on and correct a leak.

It’s all fine and good if somebody wants to take the time and effort to fix one of these machines them self, but it’s unrealistic to expect repair people to come out and repair Machines of this age at a reasonable cost whether its a WP or MT etc.

John


Post# 1036222 , Reply# 27   6/23/2019 at 22:09 (1,739 days old) by DADoES (TX, U.S. of A.)        
Something fishy ...

dadoes's profile picture
 
Exactly why I posed the question ....


Post# 1036286 , Reply# 28   6/24/2019 at 16:05 (1,739 days old) by good-shepherd (New Jersey)        
it’s unrealistic to expect repair people

I don't see the big deal with replacing a Maytag tub bearing. It is/was a common repair that was well documented in Maytag service manuals for years when the machines were still in production.

It is covered at length on this site and youtube videos and parts are easily available
Yes, there maybe tub rust issues to deal with but that will be apparent as soon as the tub cover is removed.

Biggest challenge, as mentioned, would be finding a repair tech willing to take on a job which honestly isn't that difficult.






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