Maytag

You're correct that the A312 tub is smaller, but at least you lucked out that it's a two-speed machine!

If the A606 is sentimental and in otherwise good condition, it may be worth repairing, especially if you have the matching dryer. But unless you are prepared to do it yourself, expect the repair bill to be expensive - if you can even find someone willing to do the work. Replacement transmissions are no longer available, and the machine will have to come completely apart for the repair. Some people swap transmissions from a donor machine, if one is available.

As for washing performance, the A312 is a machine produced during Maytag's transmission transition period - it could have a long-stroke "pitman" transmission like your A606 if it was an earlier A312, or a short-stroke "orbital" transmission if it was a later production A312. Both have their fans, but many have a strong preference. (Note that in either case, the transmission is built for a particular tub size, so the A312 trans could not be directly swapped into your A606.)


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Post# 1067054 4/12/2020 at 10:56 (1,467 days old) by Janes (Rochester)
Checkrate/Likes Hi I just joined. I have a question what’s the better washer an A606 or a A312. I’ve had the 606 24 years I received this from my mom who bought it new in the 70s and it’s done a lot of laundry! My problem is the transmission is leaking a fair amount of grease. The belt for the water pump keep slipping off. I needed different washer asap so I bought the 312. The tub seems to be a bit smaller but works fine. I’m just wondering if it’s worth the time and effort to replace the transmission and keep the 606 or go with the 312? Thank you.

Post# 1067535 , Reply# 1 4/15/2020 at 17:40 (1,464 days old) by LowEfficiency (Iowa)
Checkrate/Likes You're correct that the A312 tub is smaller, but at least you lucked out that it's a two-speed machine! If the A606 is sentimental and in otherwise good condition, it may be worth repairing, especially if you have the matching dryer. But unless you are prepared to do it yourself, expect the repair bill to be expensive - if you can even find someone willing to do the work. Replacement transmissions are no longer available, and the machine will have to come completely apart for the repair. Some people swap transmissions from a donor machine, if one is available. As for washing performance, the A312 is a machine produced during Maytag's transmission transition period - it could have a long-stroke "pitman" transmission like your A606 if it was an earlier A312, or a short-stroke "orbital" transmission if it was a later production A312. Both have their fans, but many have a strong preference. (Note that in either case, the transmission is built for a particular tub size, so the A312 trans could not be directly swapped into your A606.)

Post# 1067544 , Reply# 2 4/15/2020 at 19:09 (1,464 days old) by bendixmark (Winchester Mass)
Checkrate/Likes 1 *Grease* You can just clean all that grease off with degreaser and replace the belts and water pump and it will work another 5 years I have done it lots of times.As far as I know the transmission for that is available but it is an orbital transmission with the quickie strokes which would then make the machine a mongrel how awful.