installing new belt

[zorgeloos]

Hi Guys,

Just finished installing the motor conversion kit for my Neptune. That went very well but I also got a new belt to put on while I was at it. It looks to be the correct part # (# on belt 62722870) (# on bag 12001788) but it seems a bit too short compared to the old one. I could not get it to go on with reasonable effort and I did not want to force it and break anything. I just put the old one back on for now. Should it be that difficult to install?

Thanks

Model mah3000aww

[whirlpooltech]

The new belts do go on kind of hard.

Maybe Repair-man knows some trick he can pass on to the rest of us.

[zorgeloos]

To follow up further the old belt has a maytag part # 22002040 and Dayco part # 62706950. The old belt still is very tight and has less than 1 inch of deflection as per maytag specs. The new belt is 1-1.5 inches shorter and I just can't see how it would go on without breaking the drum pulley or motor mounts. Is the new belt my parts people gave me # 62722870 and #1411J 6 MAEL on belt and # 12001788 on bag the correct belt to replace the OEM number 22002044/62706950?

Thanks

[Repair-man]

Don't concern yourself with old part numbers, as they change frequently without your approval. The vendor numbers stamped on parts often do not match the current manufacturing number at the time.

You have the correct belt, and the only one for all the Neptune series.  Maytag found that the reason the old belts fail is that they stretch out, which is why your old belt is longer.  To install the new belt, slip it  first over the motor pulley and try to center it on the motor threads, then with the  left hand hold the belt tightly onto the large spinner pulley at the top and turn the pulley counter-clockwise while holding the belt firmly on the pulley with both hands as you turn it.

You will not break the spinner pulley! Once the belt has snapped onto the spinner pulley, you need to center its track on the pulley by using the notches in the motor pulley to align the belt. Do this by turning the spinner with the left hand and moving the motor side of the belt back and forth on the multiple grooves until the belt is more or less centered on the large wheel.  Yes, it is hard, but it does go on there.

Since these Neptunes have no transmission, the  drive belt must do all the work, therefore they will stretch out in a few years. It is recommended that, after installing the new belt, you set the machine to a spin cycle and let it spin at high RPMs to get it settled in.


Part # 12001788 Kit, Belt & Isolator, AP4009041

[zorgeloos]

Thanks Repair-man. Now I can make a more aggressive attempt being positive the belt is correct. Not being familiar with these machines and parts, the changing part #s makes it hard to be sure about anything.

[Repair-man]

After the way Maytag treated me in 2006, I'm not sure of anything, either

Good luck with the repair!

RM

[JWWebster]

Now let me get this straight: there is a main drive pulley and a motor pulley and a pulley to keep the 2 alligned? You have a pic? Ty in advance.