Thread Number: 82528  /  Tag: Vintage Automatic Washers
Time to Work on the Maytag!
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Post# 1065913   4/4/2020 at 17:46 (1,454 days old) by eurekastar (Amarillo, Texas)        

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Like just about everyone else around the world, my city is under a mandatory shelter in place order.  I can do some work related things at home but that also means I have more free time on my hands.  Therefore, it's time to trade out transmissions in my A606.  When I rebuilt this washer about 1 1/2 years ago, I installed a new orbital transmission.  I've not been real happy with it, but I luckily came across a good Pitman transmission.  I guess I'll start working on it tomorrow! 

 

I think my A606 has been feeling neglected...she always looks lonely when I go out to the garage!


  Photos...       <              >      Photo 1 of 2         View Full Size



Post# 1065930 , Reply# 1   4/4/2020 at 19:00 (1,454 days old) by RP2813 (Sannazay)        

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Beautiful Pitman!  I just am not feeling it when I hear and see a classic looking Maytag operating with a frenetic, short stroke orbital transmission.  Have fun restoring the proper order of things on your 606!


Post# 1065994 , Reply# 2   4/5/2020 at 03:25 (1,454 days old) by Hippiedoll ( arizona )        
Your 606

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looks BEAUTIFUL!

I really like the way the blue of the lower control panel contrasts with the white of the cabinet & the upper control panel.

OOOOOWWWEEEEE!
:oD

I prefer the older slower agitation too!
;o)


Post# 1066054 , Reply# 3   4/5/2020 at 13:01 (1,453 days old) by unclejohn (Can)        
That A606 ...

...is one gorgeous looking appliance !

Yes, indeed, the right time -right now- to do things indoor
we usually, too often, don't do because we run short of time.
This actual period, all warned to stay home, might be the
good time to bring out the tool boxes, etc. and 'go for it'.
I, personally, worked recently on my portable Kenmore washer,
which was in need of cleaning, with some minor adjustments
and some good re-painting, though partial, of its cabinet.
The same applies for my new Maytag, also waiting repairs.

I wish you the best with your machine, worthy of good care.


Post# 1066709 , Reply# 4   4/9/2020 at 21:35 (1,449 days old) by eurekastar (Amarillo, Texas)        

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Well, I disassembled my A606 tonight to make ready for the Pitman style transmission.  Out with old/new and in with the new/old.  However, I discovered some rusting inside the inner tub that I want to take care of with some POR. 


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Post# 1066764 , Reply# 5   4/10/2020 at 12:35 (1,448 days old) by Mayken4now (Panama City, Florida)        
A608

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Am in the process of rebuilding my Pittman now. Going all the way this time.

Post# 1066772 , Reply# 6   4/10/2020 at 13:42 (1,448 days old) by robbinsandmyers (Conn)        

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Where is a good source for internal parts?

Post# 1066785 , Reply# 7   4/10/2020 at 15:12 (1,448 days old) by eurekastar (Amarillo, Texas)        
@ robbinsandmyers

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I have all the internal parts that need to be replaced (gasket, thrust washer, plastic gear, o-rings) but I honestly can't remember where I got them from.  I do remember they were sourced from different online dealers but it was about 1 1/2 years ago. 


Post# 1066798 , Reply# 8   4/10/2020 at 16:33 (1,448 days old) by LowEfficiency (Iowa)        

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The supply of major internal parts is essentially gone at this point, and has been for a while.

If you need something, unless you have months to search (and wait) and lots of money to throw at it, your best bet is to find an earlier -10 series machine on Craigslist that predates the transmission change, and use it as a parts donor...


Post# 1066812 , Reply# 9   4/10/2020 at 18:46 (1,448 days old) by eurekastar (Amarillo, Texas)        

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I now have the inner tub bolted back in place!  That's always the hardest part!

 

I'm waiting for some POR 15 to arrive so that I can do some rust treatment.  It looks like my previous attempt was inadequate.  I guess I either didn't do the proper prep work or I didn't apply enough coats.  It was probably a combination of both. 


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Post# 1066838 , Reply# 10   4/11/2020 at 00:21 (1,448 days old) by robbinsandmyers (Conn)        
@ LowEfficiency

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I was hoping to find the nylon gear. I have the gasket and good top half of a spare trans and just have to pick up the Redline oil and I'll have all I need for a trans service. Do you have a part # for that gear?

Post# 1066924 , Reply# 11   4/11/2020 at 14:20 (1,447 days old) by LowEfficiency (Iowa)        

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It looks like the part number is "2-10315".

I personally wouldn't feel any need to replace the nylon gear though unless there is something obviously wrong with it. Even in our A308, which failed catastrophically, locking up and shearing multiple teeth off of multiple metal gears in the process, the nylon gear was completely fine and we re-used it.


Post# 1066925 , Reply# 12   4/11/2020 at 14:24 (1,447 days old) by combo52 (50 Year Repair Tech Beltsville,Md)        
Nylon Gear For Pitman Transmission

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What is the need to replace this gear that NEVER fails, MT has used a fiber or nylon gear since 1949, I have never seen fail.

The bigger problems are the agitator shaft and outer tub rust, then timers if you actually want to keep one of these washers running.

John L.


Post# 1066965 , Reply# 13   4/11/2020 at 19:58 (1,447 days old) by qsd-dan (West)        
What is the need to replace this gear that NEVER fails

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Apparently I should have saved my money and reused this.

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Post# 1067031 , Reply# 14   4/12/2020 at 07:20 (1,447 days old) by eronie (Flushing Michigan)        
Plastic Gear

I've never seen one fail either but that one dosent look so good.

Post# 1067033 , Reply# 15   4/12/2020 at 07:28 (1,447 days old) by combo52 (50 Year Repair Tech Beltsville,Md)        
Well Its Not Broken, LOL

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Hi Dan, that's the thing I love about this business, as I often say you see something new almost every day, or at least every week.

 

I would differently replace ant gear with cracks in it, I wonder what could have happened to that gear to make it crack like that when hundreds of others never seem to fail.

 

John L.


Post# 1067050 , Reply# 16   4/12/2020 at 10:28 (1,446 days old) by qsd-dan (West)        

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Most of the pinion gears I've come across in this condition had an upper transmission housing shaft that was on the verge of seizing up or completely seized. Others were just breaking down from old age (usually from the early to late 1960's) and some had racked up a ton of mileage on them. This gear isn't a really common failure point but aren't completely immune, if that makes any sense. I bought loads of these (sometimes by the bagful) 10+ years ago when they were being dumped on Ebay for cheap prices so I always make a point to replace them (along with the clutch washers below the pinion gear).

Maytag used a fiberous gear from 1949-early 1960's (about 1963). They're incredibly light and have a cardboard-ish feel to them. It's amazing how well they hold up. Always replace these if you come across one. Maytag changed to nylon around 1964 and then later on to Delrin, which is the sturdiest material of the 3. They are getting rare but still available on Ebay.


Post# 1067068 , Reply# 17   4/12/2020 at 13:05 (1,446 days old) by robbinsandmyers (Conn)        

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I just figure while I'm in there it wouldn't hurt to replace it. If I dont and it fails later on its a lot of work to go through and money spent on new tub seal, trans gasket plus oil all over again for a cheap plastic gear. When the time comes I dive into this trans repair on my 1974 A407 I want to make sure it works well for many more trouble free years. It has a zillion hours on it so needs some TLC. I'm going to use the top half of that 1964 A500 trans that's in great shape per Combo52's advice. I'm going to do this in two parts. First part will be to replace the bearings on both sides of the brake package, the damper pads, then oil the brake upon reassembly. The second phase will be the removal of the tub and basket and repair the trans and install new tub bushing and seal. If I could find a good clean spin basket in CT that would be great. Mine has some rust at a few holes where they got chipped so I may POR15 them for now. This should be a fun project but I have to watch out for my lower back or at least stock up on more anti inflamatories.

Post# 1067208 , Reply# 18   4/13/2020 at 13:53 (1,445 days old) by LowEfficiency (Iowa)        

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>> I just figure while I'm in there it wouldn't hurt to replace it. If I dont and it fails later on its a lot of work to
>> go through and money spent on new tub seal, trans gasket plus oil all over again for a cheap plastic gear.

Your restoration plan looks good, but you might reconsider the logic above. What you would actually be doing is removing a proven part, and replacing it with an old-stock or reproduction *unproven* part on a hunch that it extends the service life. That "new" part may be good for a hundred years, or it may have unseen damage from improper storage or a manufacturing defect - it could even cause you to need to pull the transmission apart again, the very thing you are aiming to avoid.

It's counterintuitive, but it's the same reason why a car with 25,000 miles is generally considered to be more reliable than one with 25 miles. In engineering, it is known as the "Bathtub Curve"... and you would be taking a piece from somewhere in the middle, and resetting yourself to the far left of the curve.

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bathtub_cu...


Of course this all changes if the gear has visible wear or damage- then it falls to the right side of the curve, and replacing it would definitely be a good idea.


Post# 1067255 , Reply# 19   4/13/2020 at 21:22 (1,445 days old) by eurekastar (Amarillo, Texas)        
Nylon Pinon

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Post# 1067268 , Reply# 20   4/13/2020 at 23:55 (1,445 days old) by robbinsandmyers (Conn)        

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I just bought one from this seller last week thanks. Should be fine.

Post# 1067274 , Reply# 21   4/14/2020 at 00:52 (1,445 days old) by mrsalvo (New Braunfels Texas)        

What a beautiful, wonderful machine. That's my favorite Maytag right there, love the slower agitation and the blue colored panel, love the white on this model. In the past I could always take or leave Maytag, but this one I'd keep for sure.

Barry


Post# 1067687 , Reply# 22   4/16/2020 at 21:15 (1,442 days old) by eurekastar (Amarillo, Texas)        

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If finally got around to taking it for a brief test run today and she runs like a top!  I wanted to make sure the transmission agitates before I did a lot of rustproofing.  My POR 15 should be in tomorrow, so I'll spend the weekend touching up the inner tub.  I'll do a proper video with clothes after it's all done!  Meanwhile, I'm really happy that the transmission works as it should with no leaks! 



CLICK HERE TO GO TO eurekastar's LINK

Post# 1067688 , Reply# 23   4/16/2020 at 21:52 (1,442 days old) by pturo (Syracuse, New York)        
Old Maytags Never Die

They just reincarnate themselves by people like you

Post# 1069307 , Reply# 24   4/25/2020 at 21:26 (1,433 days old) by eurekastar (Amarillo, Texas)        

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I finally have the transmission swap done, along with a few other small issues!  My $5 pitman transmission runs like a top!  I made a Youtube video featuring Downy Fabric Softener!



CLICK HERE TO GO TO eurekastar's LINK


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