Loud Clunk and Large Tub Movement on Stopping

[sidfink43]

I am a volunteer for a Habitat for Humanity Home Store where I test, clean and repair donated appliances for resale.  We received a very nice Kenmore Series 90 Top Load Washer.  The machine runs well, but when the spin is interrupted it stops with a loud thump and excessive tub movement.  When not operating the tub seems to move excessively and lift off the base too easily.  I have had this problem before and just parted out the machine, but this is in good condition and I would like to fix it.

Other than motor couplers and pads, our parts come from parting out machines too broken to fix, and we want to do minimal tear down because the machines are resold.  Any suggestions before I end up with the gearbox and brake tube assembly laid out on the floor?

Thanks

Model 110.26902690

[whirlpooltech]

I am a volunteer for a Habitat for Humanity Home Store where I test, clean and repair donated appliances for resale.

 

The machine runs well, but when the spin is interrupted it stops with a loud thump and excessive tub movement.

You will need to replace the brake/drive tube (part #285792) to repair this problem.


WHIRLPOOL 285792 Basket Drive and Brake Assembly, AP3094539

When not operating the tub seems to move excessively and lift off the base too easily.

Remove the agitator and take a look at the basket drive block (part # 389140) and the large spanner nut (part # 21366) that holds the tub.


WHIRLPOOL 389140 Washer Drive Block, AP2905773





WHIRLPOOL 21366 Spanner Nut, AP2913937

[sidfink43]

Thanks, I was afraid that was the problem.  Will do so and post the results.

[AJ]

I am a volunteer for a Habitat for Humanity Home Store where I test, clean and repair donated appliances for resale.

What a great thing to do. 
I would love to do something like that myself.
How long have you been volunteering for Habitat for Humanity?

[sidfink43]

Thanks, I have been at the store for about a yearand a half.  The store accepts donations of furniture, appliances, household goods, construction goods (a lot leftover from building projects) and generates enough income each year to cover all of the Habitat overhead plus pay for the out of pocket costs to build several houses. This means 100% of cash donations go to build houses, not for overhead. 

A lot of hotels in the area donate room furniture and TV's when they change out and remodel rooms.  We also get appliance turn-ins from Big Box stores along with individuals.

 We build 16 houses a year in Western North Carolina and another 8 in a sister program in Guatemala.

I volunteer 2.5 days a week, and we save over 1000 washers, dryers, frigerators, diswashers and the like each year from going in the trash. We recycle or part out what we cannot fix and are able to provide families who cannot afford new appliances with reliable used ones very inexpensively $100-200 for most. 

I highly recommend this to everyone who can do something like this, especially if you like to work on appliances and learn how to fix them.  The experience of salvaging and reconditioning parts, along with seeing what is compatible with other models  is well worth the time by itself.

[AJ]

I volunteer 2.5 days a week, and we save over 1000 washers, dryers, frigerators, diswashers and the like each year from going in the trash.

Wow, 2.5 day's a week. Good for you. 
It's amazing that you can save over 1000 appliances in a year from going in the trash and put them to good use.

Are you the only one at that store that does the appliance repair?

[sidfink43]

No, I am not the only one, there are about 5 of us who come in at various times.

Other than no pay, its a great job.  You come and go as you want, take as many breaks as you want, work on what you want and at the end of the day they say thank you.

Most of the repairs are minor, you would be amazed at how many people discard a washer because of a broken motor coupling, busted belt or bad lid switch, or discard a dryer because of fuses, a broken heating coil or something else simple.  We save good cabinets and sometimes are able to take a rusted machine that works well, switch out the cabinet and have a machine that looks like new.

All in all, pretty satisfying community service.

[AJ]

That is really awesome.

I'm don't know that there is anything like that in my area, but I'm going to do some checking around.

I would love to get involved with something like that.

If there is anything we can help you with just let us know.

[Repair-man]

Loud clunk and excessive tub movement is an indication of brake pad failure. A simple and cheap repair. If left unattended, it can rip the nipple base of the water pressure switch off due to the tub twisting violently as it stops.

WHIRLPOOL 285792 Basket Drive and Brake Assembly, AP3094539





You also mentioned the tub seems to have a lot of play...check the mounting springs and also the skate plate between the tub and the lower support, as WP re-designed it to have a dimpled surface for better traction.

WHIRLPOOL 3946509 Skate Plate, AP3131363

[sidfink43]

We checked the springs first thing, and unfortunately they were ok.  Have decided to change out the brake assembly.

Thanks for the reply