Amana washer spins at only 200 rpm

[hleebeard@sbcglo]

This washer (NAV5805AWW) is only a year old and has been used very few times.  Has been doing this for months. It takes three times to spin dry and then clothes are not as dry as my with old wirlpool.  Service man replaced motor and it did not solve problem.  I understand it should spin at over 600 rpm.

[Mr. Fix-It]

I think you might have a bad Thrust Bearing. The part comes in a kit with easy to follow instructions. Enter your model # to the left here to find your part.

[hleebeard@sbcglo]

Thanks.  Is there also a brake that could be sticking?

[Mr. Fix-It]

The Thrust Bearing acts like a clutch allowing slippage until the spin gets to speed if it were the brake you would probably hear a squeeling noise.

[hleebeard@sbcglo]

Thanks, I will order parts and go in and replace it.  Is there anything special I need to know before starting the replacement?

[Mr. Fix-It]

Just follow the instructions.

[Repair-man]

The specific spin RPMs on this model are as follows:

473 ± 25 RPM on SLOW speed and
710 ± 25 RPM on FAST speed


Not that you would have any way of knowing how fast it is spinning unless you have calibrated eyeballs

[hleebeard@sbcglo]

I installed the thrust washer spacer pulley .032 spacer and lock ring and also thought I adjusted it correctly.   (However the adjustment instructions were a little hard to understand.)   I ran the washer and it spun beautifully.  This time too fast to count the revs.  The clothes seemed dry. Then the next day it is spinning slowly again just like before.  Less than 200 rpm.

[Mr. Fix-It]

With the washer tipped back so you can access the main pulley remove the belt and dust cap. Rotate the pulley in a counter clockwise direction the brake should release and the transmission should start rotating when this happens the indicator arrow on the cam should be between the 2 marks on the pulley if not insert the thicker spacer washer provided with your kit.

[JWWebster]

Mr Fixit what trick do you know to get the E clip back on?

[Mr. Fix-It]

It's not easy you hold it in place with one hand and get a pair of pliers with the other one side of the jaws against the shaft and the other side against the back of the clip and squeeze.

[hleebeard@sbcglo]

The brake released and the xmission engaged about the end of the adjustment interval.  I I thought I would slip the .0625" shim in there and put on the locking clip.  I could not get enough space there to insert it with pliers.  The .0325 was easier to put in.  I tried it and it spun fast for the first wash.  Then began spinning slow again. I tried pulling out on the shaft and rotating the cam to the lowest point but that didn't give enough room either.  I will try sharpening the lock ring and try to drive it in.  What is your suggestion?

[JWWebster]

Pry bar. Insert it between the spokes and catch the lip of the brake housing. Compress that brake a hair so that clip can easily slip on there.

[Repair-man]

Better look into replacing that brake rotor, spring and stator. You'll need the brake tool for that unfortunately.

[hleebeard@sbcglo]

Thanks, I used the pry bar and the brake spring compressed sufficiently to easily install the .0625" shim washer and the lock.   However the spin speed is still 240 rpm.   There are no strange noises, it just spins slowly.  Does the thicker shim engage or disengage the clutch more or less than the thinner one?