Agitation and spin noises

[ricklee64]

Performa Quiet PAV3200AWW
First of all, I checked out the service manual, and this  model is not listed in the list of models in the service manual. Will the manual #16023083 still work for PAV3200AWW?

OK, my problem is probably fairly common, but I haven't found a solution here. When the washer agitates, it makes a racheting sound like a broken gear teeth or chain or something like that. On Delicate, it is not there. But on spin, it is really loud and sounds like it could break, but then it gets quiet after a minute or two. I saw on a Google search someone said it was a bad pump. But it really sounds like a bearing or the tranny to me. Anyone have a good idea?

[JWWebster]

Tip the washer back and remove the belt. No tools needed. Check the pump to see if it is stiff. Turn the main drive pulley and see if you can hear any noise. THIS PAV
manual is not your exact one but it shows some dang nice photos.

[ricklee64]

Thanks for the quick reply. I got the belt off, and the pump pulley turn freely. Don't hear any noise on it. I've turned the main drive pulley, but can't get it fast enough to make noise. I took the agitator top part off (the pictures in that manual you suggested are almost identical to my washer), and the agitator assembly rattles. I can't get it apart. I've spun the tub as fast as possible, no noise. But if I shake the tub, there is a slight rattle. I didn't mention that when the spin is done, the brake sqeals loudly.

[JWWebster]

You could spray a little wd40 on the brake. Just turn the pulley to release it and squirt some oil up in there to quiet it down. You might just need a new agitator. I have ordered them before in the past for people.

[ricklee64]

I tried the agitation and spin cycles without the agitator in place, and it still makes noise. It is definitely metallic not plastic sound. I mentioned Googling for the problem and I had found this which kinda sounds like mine, except for the screeching. Mine is more of a machine gun-like rattle:

"Recently this 7 year-old washing machine started getting noisy throughout the agitation cycles and during the first part of empty/rinse cycles. This screeching noise sounds like bearings or transmission gears (definitely metal-on-metal), and it's quickly getting worse and louder. When the spin cycle really gets going and water has mostly been pumped out of the tub, the noise is significantly reduced. I've pulled the front but, by ear, can't really determine if the noice is coming from the motor or the transmission. All is dry where it should be dry and there are no visible oil leaks."

Then he answered himself with this:

"I called in a professional repairman today. He diagnosed the problem over the phone immediately (as soon as I said "Maytag Performa, 7 years old"). It was the pump (bearings were shot). He came out with a new pump, and also replaced the belt (both genuine Maytag parts). Took him about 20 minutes total to make the repair."

I checked the pump pulley and it seems ok to me. Do you think the pump could be bad?

[JWWebster]

Mostly it is the pump that goes out on these. Did you take the belt off and check it for movement in both directions. Can you see bearing separation?

[ricklee64]

The pump seems fine. The pulley on it turns well and has no wobble at all. Because of space restriction, I could not get under the pump to look at the bearing, but it "feels" good.

[JWWebster]

Get the front panel off and do a load. Use a flashlight to help you pinpoint the noise location. Caution: moving transmission parts may harm pets or small children.