Just bought a 1987 Maytag A512

After a few weeks of searching for a nice old washer I could fix up and hopefully make a decent profit off of, I came across a nice looking A512. Bought it a couple weeks ago with a newer Kenmore dryer for $200.

Overall, it is in pretty good condition. Needs some typical maintenance and a good cleaning, but there are no visible scratches, dents, or rust at all. It was kind of funny because I think the previous owner used the bleach dispenser to pour the detergent in, and when I removed the front panel, I noticed the bleach dispenser tube had popped off the cup at the top and there was a blue detergent stain on the plastic motor shield and a dried pool of detergent around the motor mount. I also do not think she knew the agitator had a lint filter in it, because that thing was disgusting.

When I was loading this thing onto the truck with my dad, I noticed that the drive pulley underneath was covered in oil. I know these brake assemblies require a little bit of oil so I don't know if this oil came from the brake or the transmission.

After I got it home, I hooked it up to the garden hose and ran a quick test wash to see how well it ran. I washed a regular sized blanket that the dogs use that was full of dog hair. I have never used one of these Pitman Maytags and it's been well over 10 years since I've even seen one, so I had no idea how effective this lint filter would be. My only basis for comparison was my 1986 Filter-Flo. I was not expecting much from this filter, and holy crap this thing really blew my expectations out of the water. I'll even go as far as to say this filter removed even more hair than my Filter-Flo! (see picture 3) Even with regular clothes that aren't full of dog hair, I think it still removes more lint than my FF.

On that first load, it was quite slow to get up to speed when agitating. According to the seller, it hasn't been used since January. It seems to do just fine on the spin cycle, so I don't think the belts or motor rollers are to blame. It has struggled a bit to get up to full agitation speed on every load I've done, so I'm thinking the transmission needs new oil. I have never cracked open any washer transmission before, so any advice you have on what to do and what not to do would be very much appreciated.

It also has been having some problems with the brake which I have talked about in detail in a separate thread.

Last Saturday I finally starting taking this thing apart. I was hoping I could get the tub nut off without cutting it because of how clean that area looked, but after hours of soaking it in penetrating fluid and beating it to death with my 4 lb BFH and only getting around three quarters of a rotation out of it, I decided to throw in the white towel and broke out the Dremel and chisel.

The outer tub was much cleaner than I expected, and thankfully there was very little rust. Yesterday I cleaned it out with oven cleaner and removed the outer tub. Everything went well but removing the air dome tube was a massive pain in the rear because all I had was standard pliers to remove that spring hose clamp. After I finally got it off, I was able to inspect the tub bearing. It appeared to be in good condition and the metal sleeve can easily turn freely on the transmission housing and inside the black bearing housing. I don't think I need to replace it, but the rubber on the bearing housing is dried and cracked so maybe it does need to be replaced.

I can only work on this thing on the weekends because of college, so I will update you guys next week. So far, I have only bought new belts and a new tub seal kit.

Photos... < > Photo 1 of 5 View Full Size


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Post# 1111492 3/15/2021 at 11:50 (1,137 days old) by StuftRock1 (Kentucky)
Checkrate/Likes 2 After a few weeks of searching for a nice old washer I could fix up and hopefully make a decent profit off of, I came across a nice looking A512. Bought it a couple weeks ago with a newer Kenmore dryer for $200. Overall, it is in pretty good condition. Needs some typical maintenance and a good cleaning, but there are no visible scratches, dents, or rust at all. It was kind of funny because I think the previous owner used the bleach dispenser to pour the detergent in, and when I removed the front panel, I noticed the bleach dispenser tube had popped off the cup at the top and there was a blue detergent stain on the plastic motor shield and a dried pool of detergent around the motor mount. I also do not think she knew the agitator had a lint filter in it, because that thing was disgusting. When I was loading this thing onto the truck with my dad, I noticed that the drive pulley underneath was covered in oil. I know these brake assemblies require a little bit of oil so I don't know if this oil came from the brake or the transmission. After I got it home, I hooked it up to the garden hose and ran a quick test wash to see how well it ran. I washed a regular sized blanket that the dogs use that was full of dog hair. I have never used one of these Pitman Maytags and it's been well over 10 years since I've even seen one, so I had no idea how effective this lint filter would be. My only basis for comparison was my 1986 Filter-Flo. I was not expecting much from this filter, and holy crap this thing really blew my expectations out of the water. I'll even go as far as to say this filter removed even more hair than my Filter-Flo! (see picture 3) Even with regular clothes that aren't full of dog hair, I think it still removes more lint than my FF. On that first load, it was quite slow to get up to speed when agitating. According to the seller, it hasn't been used since January. It seems to do just fine on the spin cycle, so I don't think the belts or motor rollers are to blame. It has struggled a bit to get up to full agitation speed on every load I've done, so I'm thinking the transmission needs new oil. I have never cracked open any washer transmission before, so any advice you have on what to do and what not to do would be very much appreciated. It also has been having some problems with the brake which I have talked about in detail in a separate thread. Last Saturday I finally starting taking this thing apart. I was hoping I could get the tub nut off without cutting it because of how clean that area looked, but after hours of soaking it in penetrating fluid and beating it to death with my 4 lb BFH and only getting around three quarters of a rotation out of it, I decided to throw in the white towel and broke out the Dremel and chisel. The outer tub was much cleaner than I expected, and thankfully there was very little rust. Yesterday I cleaned it out with oven cleaner and removed the outer tub. Everything went well but removing the air dome tube was a massive pain in the rear because all I had was standard pliers to remove that spring hose clamp. After I finally got it off, I was able to inspect the tub bearing. It appeared to be in good condition and the metal sleeve can easily turn freely on the transmission housing and inside the black bearing housing. I don't think I need to replace it, but the rubber on the bearing housing is dried and cracked so maybe it does need to be replaced. I can only work on this thing on the weekends because of college, so I will update you guys next week. So far, I have only bought new belts and a new tub seal kit. Photos... < > Photo 1 of 5 View Full Size

Post# 1111494 , Reply# 1 3/15/2021 at 12:08 (1,137 days old) by StuftRock1 (Kentucky)
Checkrate/Likes 1 Oh I forgot to mention that when it gets up to full speed on the spin cycle, it emits a very peculiar low pitched hum that my 1994 Maytag LAT4914 does not make. I don't know what is making this noise but I do know for sure that it is not the motor. I had thought about if it could be the bearing, but that appears to be in good condition so now I'm not sure. It still appears to spin at full speed so I don't think it's hurting anything. It's just that this is an unusual noise and I'd like to figure out what it is.

Post# 1111495 , Reply# 2 3/15/2021 at 12:10 (1,137 days old) by RP2813 (Sannazay)
Checkrate/Likes 2 Sean, it sounds to me like you landed yourself a capable machine. I'm confident you'll be able to sort out the issues you've mentioned. I've always thought GE's Filter-Flo system was the best out there for capturing lint, but my Pitman A712 provides similar results to yours when I wash the bed linens after my buddy has spent a few nights here. Those are the only times when the cat is allowed on the bed. Reliably, the filter cartridge captures large wads of black fur (I suppose some of it belonged to him, but most is from the cat). Pay no attention if this site's most vocal and authoritative Maytag critic suggests you're silly and full of BS. You have documented results that prove such agenda-driven Maytag bashers dead wrong.

Post# 1111499 , Reply# 3 3/15/2021 at 12:19 (1,137 days old) by wayupnorth (On a lake between Bangor and Bar Harbor, Maine)
Checkrate/Likes My 1984 511 has the same strange noise when spin ramps up to warp speed and has since it was new out of the box.

Post# 1111515 , Reply# 4 3/15/2021 at 15:01 (1,137 days old) by StuftRock1 (Kentucky)
Checkrate/Likes 3 *agenda driven Maytag bashers* I do not at all understand how someone could be so extremely anti Maytag like that, at least not to the degree many people including myself are extremely anti modern HE. These old Maytags are fantastic and the ultimate no nonsense machines. They may not be as exciting as WP/KM belt drives so I can definitely understand why someone may not like them. But to go beyond preference and to hate on them and tell other people they are terrible as if that is some objective conclusion is just beyond me. My current dream washer is a Maytag A806 in harvest gold that is old enough to still have a tub light. Unfortunately, it seems I live in an area where the only people who still have an old washer are the people who have them because they wanted an old washer, and it is currently not feasible at the moment to drive a long distance just to buy a washer when I already have 3 working sets. As for my A512, I'm hoping I'll be able to sell it for around $400 or more. I've already put $65 into it including a new tub nut wrench and I think I may top out at $110-$120 of parts assuming I don't have to buy a new brake assembly.

Post# 1111607 , Reply# 5 3/15/2021 at 23:12 (1,136 days old) by Good-Shepherd (New Jersey)
Checkrate/Likes 1 *sell it for around $400 or more* I don't know what the current market is for vintage Maytag washers in Kentucky but I doubt you'll get anywhere near $400 for a MOL A512 washer as a private seller. A used appliance dealer might ask $400 for a matched set with warranty. I'm with you on the power fin the lint filter however. I never understood why some people say they don't work well, thats not been my experience.

Post# 1111611 , Reply# 6 3/15/2021 at 23:30 (1,136 days old) by Good-Shepherd (New Jersey)
Checkrate/Likes 1 *remove that spring hose clamp* Try channel lock pliers on the spring clamp. If the tub bearing looks good saturate the wicking with turbine oil and reuse. The stem seal is what usually fails first. As for the slow agitation cold weather can be factor if located in a chilly area, the factory oil is heavy viscosity. Changing the oil is a messy job. Correct new oil isn't cheap, you'd also want to put new lip seal on as well and I'm not sure if transmission gaskets are still available

Post# 1111620 , Reply# 7 3/16/2021 at 03:04 (1,136 days old) by toploadloyalist (San Luis Obispo, CA)
Checkrate/Likes Is it single-speed Fabric-Matic?

Post# 1111629 , Reply# 8 3/16/2021 at 06:52 (1,136 days old) by combo52 (50 Year Repair Tech Beltsville,Md)
Checkrate/Likes 1 *Rebuilding and selling Washing Machines* Hi Sean, I worked my way through college and got out with zero debt selling used washer and dryers Etc. Of course it was many years ago but I think you can still make a go of it, you will soon figure out what the market will pay and for which types of machines. What part of Kentucky are you in ?, I have a younger friend Frankfort area who may have some extra MT Washers and Dryers that he may want to get rid of. Send me an Email if you want more information, John L.

Post# 1111825 , Reply# 14 3/17/2021 at 14:10 (1,135 days old) by StuftRock1 (Kentucky)
Checkrate/Likes *OEM Maytag transmission lubricant or Sta-Lube GL-4 85w-90* Awesome, thanks! How much oil do these take? In my research I found it either takes 26 fl.oz. or 34 fl.oz.

Post# 1111830 , Reply# 15 3/17/2021 at 14:48 (1,135 days old) by Good-Shepherd (New Jersey)
Checkrate/Likes *How much oil do these take?* The OEM bottle is 34 oz. Here is a link with a lot of info and part #'s www.automaticwasher.org/c... CLICK HERE TO GO TO Good-Shepherd's LINK on eBay

Post# 1111668 , Reply# 9 3/16/2021 at 13:06 (1,136 days old) by Good-Shepherd (New Jersey)
Checkrate/Likes *selling used washer and dryers* There is a guy in a nearby town that sells used W/D, fridges etc. He picks them up cheap from estate sales and private sellers then re-lists them for 2-3x what he paid, delivery is extra. He does almost no work on them, not even a good cleaning.

Post# 1111671 , Reply# 10 3/16/2021 at 13:23 (1,136 days old) by StuftRock1 (Kentucky)
Checkrate/Likes 1 *Is it a single speed Fabric-Matic?* Yes, the A612 and up were the two speed models.

Post# 1111704 , Reply# 11 3/16/2021 at 17:10 (1,136 days old) by StuftRock1 (Kentucky)
Checkrate/Likes *Reply #6* The washer is in a heated garage and the weather has been warm recently, so that can't be causing it. Due to the amount of oil I remember seeing on the transmission pulley, I think I will go ahead and replace the lower lip seal just in case that is the problem. I just checked and they do still sell transmission gaskets. Partselect.com has them for $13. Also, what would be the correct new oil to put in it?

Post# 1111711 , Reply# 12 3/16/2021 at 18:49 (1,135 days old) by LowEfficiency (Iowa)
Checkrate/Likes 1 >> I do not at all understand how someone could be so extremely anti Maytag like that Don't worry too much about it. I'm "Pro-Maytag", but don't mind the Anti-Maytag discussions. Just imagine if this was a classic car forum instead of an appliance forum. You would have the Ford crowd vs the Chevy crowd, the Foreign fans vs the Domestic fans, etc. The comparisons and criticisms are very natural, and the discussions that result are part of what makes this a community. It really would be pretty boring around here if everyone agreed all the time.

Post# 1111724 , Reply# 13 3/16/2021 at 19:38 (1,135 days old) by Good-Shepherd (New Jersey)
Checkrate/Likes 2 *correct new oil to put in it?* OEM Maytag transmission lubricant or Sta-Lube GL-4 85w-90.

Post# 1112291 , Reply# 16 3/21/2021 at 23:09 (1,130 days old) by StuftRock1 (Kentucky)
Checkrate/Likes 1 *Weekly update* Ok so I now have the washer completely disassembled now. The lower seal on the transmission has indeed failed, and everything under the rubber cap on the pully was completely covered in thick black grease, so that's where all the oil on the brake came from. Removing the brake was a pita. I don't have a brake removal tool so I had to use a pair of vice grips, which scarred the casing up real good. The lower bearing seems to be in good condition so I kept it. A little bit of acetone and a toothbrush got the brake cleaned up nicely. I am a little worried about the pump though. It was pretty difficult to turn. Motor oil improved it slightly, but it's still not in good shape. I would replace it, but as expensive as these things are, doing so would bring me way overbudget and make it very difficult to sell for a profit. The motor was much more difficult to remove than expected. The only other Maytag I worked on had a motor that could be removed by taking the nuts off from the top and could also be removed without taking off the pulley. The bleach tube had popped off the bleach dispenser, and I'm pretty sure the previous owner poured her detergent in the bleach dispenser, so it all poured on the motor cover and pooled in the motor mount so that entire area was quite disgusting. Thankfully, none of it has rusted. I still haven't decided yet if I want to replace the damper pads. I've still got the transmission to worry about and I don't even know yet if the oil needs to be changed. Photos... < > Photo 1 of 4 View Full Size

Post# 1113110 , Reply# 17 3/29/2021 at 11:59 (1,123 days old) by StuftRock1 (Kentucky)
Checkrate/Likes *Weekly update* I was unable to get that much accomplished this weekend unfortunately. I took the base off the main cabinet and got all the gunk cleaned off of it. I decided to go ahead and replace the damper pads because they felt dry and hard as a rock. Getting those things off and all the excess glue was a huge PITA, and I accidentally scratched the paint on a few spots. I don't think the new damper pads I ordered include adhesive, so what type of glue do you recommend? I also went ahead and got a new pump since I wasn't satisfied with how the old one felt even after oiling it up. Next weekend I plan on putting some POR-15 on the outer tub and tub cover, install the new damper pads, and mount the tree, brake assembly, pump, and motor to the base. The transmission gasket is on backorder so I have no idea when it is supposed to arrive unfortunately. View Full Size