Washing Machine Question

[Hookmaster]

Older Kenmore (Whirlpool) top load washer.During the spin cycle last night, there was a clunking sound similar to an unbalanced load. When I got to the machine it wasn’t wobbling so it wasn’t an unbalanced load. I opened the cover and it stopped, of course. I held down the switch and it started spinning. When it reached top speed, it looked like the agitator would catch, causing the clunk, then start spinning again. I would clunk every few seconds. My wife put it in spin cycle when empty and it did the same thing. Any ideas on what this would be? I’ve replaced the coupling between the motor and the tub before so I am not shy to take the sides off and dig in.

[givetoget]

In the top center of the agitator there should be a cap of some kind. take that off and in there should be a nut, take the nut out and pull the agitator. I think you will find a stripped or broken part in there. It happened to me twice on a washer I had about ten years ago but don't remember in detail. I think once you pull it you will see something wrong. Hope this helps.

[pikechaser]

In the top center of the agitator there should be a cap of some kind. take that off and in there should be a nut, take the nut out and pull the agitator. I think you will find a stripped or broken part in there. It happened to me twice on a washer I had about ten years ago but don't remember in detail. I think once you pull it you will see something wrong. Hope this helps.

**I 2nd that...check out you tube, you will find some helpful videos on doing this.

[Hookmaster]

Thanks. I pulled the cover off last night and didn't find any broken parts below. I did some searching on the internets and it pointed to pulling the agitator. Will do that tonight.

[Surface Tension]

Check the belt and belt tensioner. Should see a pulley with a spring.

If one of the two are goofed up that tensioner will slap and make the clunk your hearing.

[Hookmaster]

This model is direct drive. Did some more internets surfing over the weekend and it seems to be a cam set in the transmission. When the machine goes into spin cycle, these cams lift something up to disengage the agitator. Went to the Sears parts place and they said 4-7 business days. Found them on the internet for $7 and free shipping. They should arrive by Thursday. Don't tell Dayton I didn't record what I owe in state sales tax. I will post how the installation goes.

[Hookmaster]

Replace the agitator cams in the transmission and the motor coupler. Put it back together and didn't agitate or spin. Took it apart again and adjusted something under the plastic cog and it spins but doesn't agitate. More troubleshooting.