Thread Number: 83175  /  Tag: Vintage Automatic Washers
Whirlpool LA7800 series Agaitator/Cap Removal help.
[Down to Last]

automaticwasher.org's exclusive eBay Watch:
scroll >>> for more items --- [As an eBay Partner, eBay may compensate automaticwasher.org if you make a purchase using any link to eBay on this page]
Post# 1074848   5/29/2020 at 11:36 (1,399 days old) by bgtmasters (Wellsville, New York)        

I recently got a fully working Whirlpool LA7800XSW0 washer. The body was pretty roached out but I am trying to at least save whatever parts I can from it but I am having trouble getting the Fabric Softener Cap/Agitator Assembly off. I have taken apart tons of washers and have never had this issue. Were these in one piece, or are they the standard ones where the Fabric Softener is supposed to come off then the upper agitator, then the lower?

I uploaded two photos, excuse the mess in the background the house I helped clean out had a good amount of vintage items and I am still going through what I was able to save from the dump.


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



Post# 1074851 , Reply# 1   5/29/2020 at 12:05 (1,399 days old) by Yogitunes (New Jersey)        

yogitunes's profile picture
well there is a slot shown in your pic for the dispenser to pop off, most times you can just tilt with enough pressure and it will pop off as well....

this looks to be a two piece agitator as well....has a lint filter built inside...most times again, this should lift off and out for cleaning...

there are ones that dont have the filter, and the bolt for holding down the base also holds this in place....

either way, by this point you should see a bolt holding it to the shaft, remove it, and lift the base out of the machine...


Post# 1074853 , Reply# 2   5/29/2020 at 12:08 (1,399 days old) by combo52 (50 Year Repair Tech Beltsville,Md)        

combo52's profile picture

The whole dispenser and top should just pull up and off, use force if necessary, it could be fussed in place by scrudge.

 

John L.


Post# 1074855 , Reply# 3   5/29/2020 at 12:23 (1,399 days old) by bgtmasters (Wellsville, New York)        

I appreciate the replies. I have tried wedging a screwdriver in there and other things and not only does it not pop off, it doesn't even budge or even sort of separate at all. I have gone as far as putting a rag over it and hitting it pretty hard many times with a 3lb sledge to try and get it to pop off.

I have come to two conclusions either this is one solid unit that pulls up from the bottom and pops off, or someone literally super glued the dispenser on. I'm definitely not new to removing the normal type of agitators. I do it daily. Not once have I ever had this issue, or even close to it. Trust me I've put as much force as I can on it without just smashing it.


Post# 1074857 , Reply# 4   5/29/2020 at 12:35 (1,399 days old) by combo52 (50 Year Repair Tech Beltsville,Md)        
Stuck Dispenser

combo52's profile picture

I have seen MT lint filters that actually became fused together, something like this must have happened because of poor usage habits , I can assure you it is [ supposed ] lift out, it was not built in one piece, LOL

 

John L.


Post# 1074867 , Reply# 5   5/29/2020 at 13:07 (1,399 days old) by bgtmasters (Wellsville, New York)        

You were right. Unfortunately the upper agitator didn't survive which was the main part I wanted to save. It gave out and broke before the Fabric Softener Dispenser did. When you said fused you weren't kidding.



  Photos...       <              >      Photo 1 of 2         View Full Size
Post# 1074878 , Reply# 6   5/29/2020 at 15:59 (1,399 days old) by bradfordwhite (central U.S.)        
"roached out" ?

bradfordwhite's profile picture
I'm still freaked out about the prospect of eggs all over the outside, most likely the back and sides where it was dark and roaches can live and thrive in peace......

  View Full Size
Post# 1074899 , Reply# 7   5/29/2020 at 19:52 (1,399 days old) by bgtmasters (Wellsville, New York)        

Roached out as in rusted, not literal roaches. Just looking at the picture makes my skin crawl.

Post# 1074906 , Reply# 8   5/29/2020 at 20:13 (1,398 days old) by DADoES (TX, U.S. of A.)        

dadoes's profile picture
 
I'm not intimately-familiar with that agitator design ... but kinda looks like those two screws were anchoring the upper part and it isn't supposed to pull off?

Or is there a separate latching bracket anchored on top of the base that was stuck to the removable part and broke off?


  View Full Size
Post# 1074914 , Reply# 9   5/29/2020 at 20:49 (1,398 days old) by bgtmasters (Wellsville, New York)        

The fabric softener dispenser/cap was essentially welded to the upper agitator. Its supposed to pop right out of it. Once you get the Cap/Dispenser off you can then access those two screws you put red arrows by to remove the upper agitator. Then the screw to remove the lower agitator base.

The Softener/Cap was on the upper agitator so tightly the upper agitator broke before the Softener Dispenser broke lose of the upper agitator. I've taken many of these apart before and never had any trouble getting them apart, until now.

I did finally get the dispenser separated from the upper agitator, in doing so it broke the top of the upper agitator before released. Almost looks like the plastic melted/fused together at the seam from severe friction.


Post# 1074934 , Reply# 10   5/30/2020 at 05:46 (1,398 days old) by bradfordwhite (central U.S.)        

bradfordwhite's profile picture
"Just looking at the picture makes my skin crawl"

Pointlessly "repurposing" a word can produce that result as well.

Rust is rust. Infestation of bugs is something other.


BTW- a machine with a great deal of rust on the OUTSIDE, is bound to have similar problems on the inside, as you are finding out with parts that are seized or inordinately worn.

There are plenty of cheap or even FREE Whirlpool built top loaders on Craigs, and other listing sites, that won't be covered with rust, infested with roaches, nor require all this knuckle skinning work.


  View Full Size
Post# 1074936 , Reply# 11   5/30/2020 at 05:50 (1,398 days old) by bradfordwhite (central U.S.)        

bradfordwhite's profile picture
tell tale signs of scuzziness.

  View Full Size

Forum Index:       Other Forums:                      



Comes to the Rescue!

The Discuss-o-Mat has stopped, buzzer is sounding!!!
If you would like to reply to this thread please log-in...

Discuss-O-MAT Log-In



New Members
Click Here To Sign Up.



                     


automaticwasher.org home
Discuss-o-Mat Forums
Vintage Brochures, Service and Owners Manuals
Fun Vintage Washer Ephemera
See It Wash!
Video Downloads
Audio Downloads
Picture of the Day
Patent of the Day
Photos of our Collections
The Old Aberdeen Farm
Vintage Service Manuals
Vintage washer/dryer/dishwasher to sell?
Technical/service questions?
Looking for Parts?
Website related questions?
Digital Millennium Copyright Act Policy
Our Privacy Policy