Maytag washers are typically trouble-free, as they are one of the most reliable washing machine brands. However, there are instances when they refuse to agitate. You’ll find this can be for several reasons, including transmission problems.
What happens here is that your Maytag washer may spin yet won’t agitate. You may not think it is too much of an issue, yet as you wash your clothes in a top-loading machine, the clothes are cleaned because of the agitator. When a washing machine doesn’t agitate, your clothes are not cleaned as much.
In our guide, you can learn more about removing the agitator from a Maytag washing machine. By the end, you’ll be able to get to the root of the problem, and if there’s an issue underneath, at least you can see the faulty part, get the part number, and fix your appliance before assembly. (Learn How Tight To Tighten Toilet Tank Bolts)
How Do You Remove The Agitator From A Maytag Bravos Washer?
Here, you can find more about removing the agitator assembly from your top load washer.
Check the Agitator or Wash Plate
The agitator or wash plate (impeller) is the troubleshooting starting point. The agitator is usually faulty if the washing machine doesn’t agitate but spins.
It’s not uncommon for an agitator to deteriorate. Depending on the type and model number, the washer could have a single-piece or dual-action agitator
If it’s a single piece of plastic, it moves back and forth as it agitates your clothes.
A dual-action agitator assembly comprises two pieces: a more significant bottom piece that moves back and forth and a smaller top piece you’ll see can move up and down.
In addition, a small top component rotating pushes clothes to the bottom of the drum. If your appliance doesn’t have an agitator, it’s an impeller or a wash plate type.
1. Turn the Maytag Washer’s Agitator By Hand
Inspecting your Maytag Bravos XL washer agitator helps you determine what’s causing the issue.
Unplug your washing machine from the power source.
Turn the agitator by hand and check if there is any resistance. You should feel some from your device as the teeth meet others on the transmission shaft.
If the agitator spins freely, your agitator could have separated from the drive shaft.
The reason for this could be a loose screw, as it is a screw that connects the driveshaft to the agitator. You’ll typically find this under the top cap. While it can loosen, it can also strip from repeated use.
Try tightening the screw or replacing it if the thread has been stripped to fix it.
2. Remove Your Agitator or Impeller
If it isn’t a screw issue, you must remove the agitator. In some models, there is a screw toward the bottom of the agitator you have to loosen. Some versions have an agitator cap or a fabric softener dispenser on top of the agitator.
To gain access to the set screw or bolt securing the agitator or wash plate. First, you must remove the center cap using a flathead screwdriver to pry the lid.
Using a screwdriver or socket wrench, remove the screw or bolt and pull the agitator or impeller from your top load washer.
Check for damage as the teeth may have worn, especially if you could turn the part by hand quickly, where the wash plate is broken or stripped and doesn’t make contact with the drive shaft.
If there is damage, you’ll need a new agitator or wash plate. But, again, the price could vary depending on the top load washer you have. (Learn How Deep Are Residential Electric Lines Buried)
3. Checking a Dual-Action Agitator?
If the agitator is dual-action, it may have stripped the connecting parts between the top and bottom.
On many models, a retainer holds these two sections together, and the secondary bolt may be loose or has been stripped.
You could find the agitator’s directed cogs that deliver the agitating movement that may need replacing.
Examine the cogs for wear or corrosion. You could discover some cogs are missing. If this is the issue, you’ll need to get a new set of cogs.
You can get a set for a few dollars if you only need to replace the dogs or dog ears (alternative name for cogs).
Yet, should you need multiple parts, you are better off getting a complete agitator repair kit for your top-load washer.
4. Agitator and Transmission Coupler
A coupler connects agitators to transmission gears in a Maytag washer. On the inside, the coupler has teeth or splines matching those on the transmission.
Likewise, the teeth on the exterior of the coupler match the agitator.
When an agitator spins freely or makes noises, it may have a worn or broken coupler. Loosen the bolt or screw, fastening the coupler to the transmission shaft to remove it from your top load washer.
How Do You Remove A Stuck Agitator?
Do the agitator/wash plate and other parts pass inspection? If so, a malfunctioning transmission may cause your washing problems.
Transmission moves the agitator, and if your washer spins OK but won’t agitate and the agitator/wash plate is fine, you likely need a new message.
This is more true if the agitator’s input shaft turns, but the agitator shaft doesn’t. (Learn How To Run Washing Machine Drain Outside)
New Machine, or Repair or Replace Transmission?
In some circumstances, repairing the transmission isn’t possible because Maytag doesn’t offer transmission parts; thus, a new machine makes sense.
You must replace the tub seal if you replace your washing’s transmission
A tub seal keeps water out of the driveshaft, and replacing these parts is expensive. YouYou can spend more than $500 to replace your Maytag washer’s transmission and tub seal.
Consider a few things before you replace your transmission. First, if you have an old appliance, tech has changed, and a new machine could offer unique features. So, if your repair costs over 50% of a new device, get a new washer. (Learn How Hot Can A Wood Fire Get*)
Replacing Maytag Transmission
Here are the steps to replace your transmission.
What you need:
- A Phillips head screwdriver
- Pliers
- Electrical tape
- Oil/Grease
- Socket wrenches (2 x 1/2 inch)
- Hammer
- Torx T20 screwdriver (according to washer model)
- Wire brush
Directions
- Unplug the washing machine from the power supply and turn off any water valves.
- Remove your washing machine’s front panel and set it to the side. Lean the device against the wall to prevent it from falling.
- If possible, have someone help you in holding the machine in place.
- Remove the belts from the bottom of the machine’s pulley. Rotate the pulley counterclockwise,
- Remove the bottom of the pulley’s rubber cap, then remove the screw and washer with your Phillips head screwdriver.
- Using a pair of pliers, remove the ring-shaped stub lug key.
- To remove the pulley, turn it counterclockwise, ensuring the bearing comes off.
- Remove the two screws from the tub panel and stand your washer up. Next, detach the hoses from the back and remove them.
- Remove the two screws and lift the panel after taping the lid of your washer shut so it doesn’t move.
- Locate the screw near the agitator’s base and loosen it, then pull the agitator out. Pry up the cap to reach the screw if your agitator has one under the cap/dispenser.
- Spray the spanner nut with oil and let it sit for a few minutes. Then, to loosen the nut, place the spanner nut wrench over it and hammer it from the right.
- Remove the nut, as well as the cone-shaped piece beneath it, once it is loose.
- Because spin drums can be heavy, lift them out with the help of a friend.
- With your Torx T20 screwdriver, remove the set screws.
- Remove the stem using the spanner nut wrench and hammer once more. Turn the old seal’s rubber piece to remove, then use your wire brush to clean the area.
- Using your socket wrenches, disconnect the hose from the tub and remove any screws holding the tub in place.
- Lift the tub after removing all the screws, nuts, washers, and other similar items. Then, disconnect all associated hoses to access the transmission and pull the tub out entirely.
- Pull out the old transmission by grabbing it and gently wiggling it from side to side.
- Install the new transmission, making sure it’s in.
- Apply grease to the transmission’s neck and put the metal sleeve on.
To assemble, you can follow the above steps in reverse. It helps to take pictures of each step to see what fits where.
When positioning the tub seal, do so without applying too much pressure.
How Do I Remove The Agitator From My Old Maytag Washer?
The agitator assembly may be broken if your Maytag washer doesn’t agitate laundry or rattles and clunks when turned on.
For a new agitator, order part.WP22004042 and complete these steps:
- First, remove the plug from the appliance. Even though this repair does not include any electrical component, turning off the device’s power supply before any repair is always a good idea.
- Lift the lid.
- Remove the fabric softener dispenser. To loosen the fabric softener dispenser, you may need to rotate it counterclockwise; other times, you may pull it free with a bit of force.
- Loosen the agitator bolt holding the assembly inside the agitator shaft and beneath the dispenser using a half-inch socket.
- Altogether, remove the agitator; to do this, you may need to rotate it slightly as you did with the dispenser.
- Before placing the agitator in the machine, ensure the bolt is in position. If the bolt is already in place around the shaft, getting it into the precise position is challenging, so tilt the new assembly to the side and slip it in first.
- Put together the agitator. Turn the agitator until it aligns with the shaft, then a little more until it clicks into place.
- Replace the dispenser in its original place and tighten the bolt.
- Turn on your device and check everything that works.
How Do I Remove The Plate From My Maytag Bravos Washing Machine?
The Fisher & Paykel Maytag Bravos Washer is one of 3 cosmetically distinct versions of the same appliance.
Some 2010 Maytag Bravo models don’t have the same mechanical design, even though they look similar.
- Impeller Definition: The spinning portion of a pump, compressor, or machine that uses rotation to transport fluid.
- Agitator Definition: A tool used to stir the liquid.
Maytag Bravos are available in two basic models: one with an agitator and one with an impeller to move the laundry items inside.
A short drive shaft inserted with a bearing through the bottom of the outer tub connects the impeller or agitator directly to the motor rotor.
The rotor turns the agitator or impeller, which moves clothing through the wash water.
As the inner tub floats in the wash water, friction from water or clothing will force it to move in the same direction.
The impeller will also change direction and spin beneath the clothing like a highly mild washboard when the rotor changes direction.
The agitator style will pause momentarily because of a ratcheting system inside the agitator that only allows it to be driven in one direction. In comparison, the drive shaft spins in one direction.
Four “roller cams” inside the agitator retract when the rotor reverses direction, releasing it from the drive shaft until it reverses direction for the clockwise stroke.
Because of the space taken up by the agitator, this washing machine style uses more water, is less gentle on clothing, and has a smaller capacity. Nevertheless, many prefer this style to impeller models because it produces superior washing results.
Note: To remove the impeller or agitator from the washing machine, pull the top cap off the impeller or agitator and unscrew the 7/16′′ bolt buried beneath it.
This allows you to clean the outer tub, tub sump, and lint filter by removing the inner wash basket and inspecting and replacing the agitator roller cams. (Learn How To Fix A Squeaky Refrigerator Door)
Tips & Tricks for the Maytag Bravos Washers
Be Careful With Bleach
If your washing machine has a bleach dispenser, don’t use it too often. Bleach vapors cause washing machines to rust and damage over several years. To extend the life of your washer, bleach clothes in a plastic tub and rinse with cold water to avoid bleach fumes.
Rolling in the Sheets
Fitted sheets can turn into a giant, heavy ball during the wash cycle, which is difficult to balance at 1000 RPM.
Don’t wash fitted sheets with towels or blankets, and stay close so you can stop the cycle.
Towels should only be washed with other towels and balanced heavy things. For example, if you wash shirts with a large towel, the load will be off the balance. (Learn How To Remove Silicone Caulk From Fiberglass Shower Stall)