Maytag/Amana top load washer

[MajorApp]

 This machine makes loud knocking noise when agitating. When it changes direction to spin there is no noise. The noise seems to be coming from transmission. What should I look for when I take it apart?

Model SAV2555AWW

[Repair-man]

What you should look for is a new transmission.  Just kidding!!

Seriously, don't take things apart unless you already know what to look for. Guys call me after they have the washer all tore part and can't remember how to put it back together.

See this bulletin

[MajorApp]

 Thanks Repair-man. I haven't replaced one of these before. Any helpful hints? Can the machine be used until repaired?

[Repair-man]

There's no real trick to it. I have accomplished it from laying in front of the unit while it was leaned back against the wall. The Amana/Maytag manual on here will show you whats involved, but basically the belt and the center drive pulley must be removed to replace the helix.

[MajorApp]

 The manual tells you to pull out the tub and transmission and flip it upside down to get to the helix. Thats alot of extra work. Your way sounds better.

[Repair-man]

The other way is not bad either. Long as you have a good spring tool, you can remove the springs, unbolt the motor/pump, disconnect  the air hose and the whole unit comes right out. Another 5 minutes work.

After you've done it a couple of times, it will be the easier of the repairs done on this product, compared to the triple lip seal and bearing.  Use the same Amana spring tool the guy is using below on the Neptune boot. Works great on both!

[MajorApp]

Well, that didn't work. I replaced the helix which only requires removing a screw and washer from the bottom of the shaft. There was no visual difference between the replacement helix and the old one. The technical bulletin says there was a modification made to the bottom of the helix to prevent the possibility of the helix riding up the spline shaft of the transmission causing noise between the washers and the brake during agitation. Maybe I got the old style. I don't know but it sounds like something bouncing around loose in the transmission while turning counterclockwise, (agitating). The machine works just fine except for the loud noise.

[Repair-man]

Is it a clattering noise, like a bad roller skate?

[JWWebster]

Bad brake pads?

[MajorApp]

I guess you could describe it as a bad roller skate. Maybe like a metal ball bouncing around. I wonder what the modified helix looks like.

[Repair-man]

It's not the pads, per se, but the brake ring assembly causing the noise. This will require the milk stool be removed to replace the brake ring. Comes with new pads and bolts.

R9900474 is the part number:

[MajorApp]

 I will replace the brake ring and pads on monday. Will you explain to me what causes this problem and why it only happens when agitating? Is there anything in the transmission that could create the same sound?

[Repair-man]

Boy, is my hand tired from typing..


When it is agitating, the thrust washer above the drive helix places the brake in a different postiion, with pressure on one side. when this thing splits or one of the rivets pops, it makes this noise. The only reason I came to figure this out was after some of us had replaced he transmission thinking it had a problem. When the clattering still happened after replacing the tranny, we had to take it all apart again to replace the brake.

I guess it comes down to economics. Since it is far cheaper to replace the brake, I would try it first. You would have had to tear it down anyway for a tranny replacement. I'm never right 100% of the time, especially when it comes to noises and such from a distance, so you have to take a lot of what I tell you on faith. I would hate for you to make a wrong move , so I try to cover all the angles.

[MajorApp]

 Thank you. I trust your knowledge. I have a habit of wanting to know every detail of why things happen. Not just for myself but also to explain to the customer, and of course to avoid a double failure on the same machine. I won't make any money on this job but I will learn.

[JWWebster]

If it was me I would simply replace the pads and see