Kenmore W/D

�
The first version of the direct-drive mechanism was spin-drain, from introduction in 1981 (Kenmore) through late 1984.

The first Whirlpool model was LB5500XKW0 (K = 1982).� I remember selling it and pulling them from the warehouse stock when working at the WP dealer.� The service manual L-46 "Design 2000 Direct Drive Washer" is dated 1981.

Granny had a spin-drain machine.� LA7400XMW2 (M = 1984), serial of C435 (35th week Aug 27-31 of 1984).

Whirlpool service manual L-52 "Design 2000 Washer with Neutral Drain" is dated 1985.� It references model LA7460XM (M = 1984) in the timer sequence charts that detail the motor pauses.� It also references 1) production of 27" models, 2) an increased 10-yr parts warranty on the plastic outer tub beginning with serial C446 (46th week Nov 12 of 1984), and 3) a new shipping-strap system.� That reference does not explicitly make clear if Nov 12 1984 was the beginning of neutral drain production but one can perhaps conclude it.

Another change that occurred at some point is the transmission mount orientation was rotated.� The motor (and pump) was originally at the right rear corner, not at the front.� Photos in L-46 show it at the right rear corner.


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Post# 1111963 3/18/2021 at 18:36 (1,128 days old) by goatfarmer (South Bend, home of Champions)
Checkrate/Likes direct drive? CLICK HERE TO GO TO goatfarmer's LINK View Full Size

Post# 1111966 , Reply# 1 3/18/2021 at 19:03 (1,128 days old) by bradfordwhite (central U.S.)
Checkrate/Likes That black hood, I thought that was reserved only for the TOL electronic models. Maybe they've painted over the old woodgrain. It looks quite shiny.

Post# 1111972 , Reply# 2 3/18/2021 at 19:27 (1,128 days old) by DADoES (TX,�U.S. of A.)
Checkrate/Likes � May be a spin-drain model, has the clothes guard.� Was the guard continued for a while into neutral-drain? View Full Size

Post# 1111973 , Reply# 3 3/18/2021 at 19:29 (1,128 days old) by wayupnorth (On a lake between Bangor and Bar Harbor, Maine)
Checkrate/Likes My mother had an 80 series gas dryer that looked like that with a black top but that washer is a direct drive from different years. Definitely not TOP of the line but made to look similar. What Sears tried to do.

Post# 1111980 , Reply# 4 3/18/2021 at 20:12 (1,128 days old) by Repairguy (Danbury, Texas)
Checkrate/Likes The washer is definitely a 24� mid eighties direct drive spin drain. I�m not sure about the clothes guard being held over to the neutral drain machines. This set has definitely been to the used appliance shop with the norge style drain hose and what looks like an eighties hot point selector knob in place of the dryer�s original timer knob. And I agree that the console tops were painted black.

Post# 1111997 , Reply# 5 3/18/2021 at 23:39 (1,127 days old) by gregingotham (New York)
Checkrate/Likes *Spin drain* Did makers of direct drives resurrect spin drains in whirlpools and kenmores in the 80s/90s/00s? I thought whirlpools and kenmores were always neutral drains but i also noticed my sisters whirlpool from the early 00s did a spin drain too

Post# 1111999 , Reply# 6 3/18/2021 at 23:59 (1,127 days old) by Repairguy (Danbury, Texas)
Checkrate/Likes 1 Someone please correct me if I�m wrong but I believe when Whirlpool and Kenmore introduced the direct drive platform into all of their machines circa 1986 this is when the spin drain machines started to get phased out. I don�t recall ever seeing a full size 27� machine with a spin drain unless my memory fails me. I only remember seeing the spin drain in the 24� models which were the original direct drive machines circa 1981. Of course there are many many direct drive machines that spin drain due to a failed neutral drain assembly in the gearcase.

Post# 1112022 , Reply# 7 3/19/2021 at 06:30 (1,127 days old) by vacerator (Macomb, Michigan)
Checkrate/Likes *Belt drive W.P.* built washers have always neuteral drained first, at least as I recall, from 1964. My dad told me it was a strain on the motor and belt to try ramping up to spin with a full tub of water. Maytags began to spin in reverse at the start of drain, slowly. They also had double belts.

Post# 1112037 , Reply# 8 3/19/2021 at 09:17 (1,127 days old) by DADoES (TX,�U.S. of A.)
Checkrate/Likes 1 � The first version of the direct-drive mechanism was spin-drain, from introduction in 1981 (Kenmore) through late 1984. The first Whirlpool model was LB5500XKW0 (K = 1982).� I remember selling it and pulling them from the warehouse stock when working at the WP dealer.� The service manual L-46 "Design 2000 Direct Drive Washer" is dated 1981. Granny had a spin-drain machine.� LA7400XMW2 (M = 1984), serial of C435 (35th week Aug 27-31 of 1984). Whirlpool service manual L-52 "Design 2000 Washer with Neutral Drain" is dated 1985.� It references model LA7460XM (M = 1984) in the timer sequence charts that detail the motor pauses.� It also references 1) production of 27" models, 2) an increased 10-yr parts warranty on the plastic outer tub beginning with serial C446 (46th week Nov 12 of 1984), and 3) a new shipping-strap system.� That reference does not explicitly make clear if Nov 12 1984 was the beginning of neutral drain production but one can perhaps conclude it. Another change that occurred at some point is the transmission mount orientation was rotated.� The motor (and pump) was originally at the right rear corner, not at the front.� Photos in L-46 show it at the right rear corner.