LG Top Load Washer WT5101HV Spin Dry Problem

[wildimaginations]

Customer called and says that the washer will not spin dry the clothes properly and that the unit constantly bangs the sides when spinning. 


Without going into test mode, I ran the drain and spin cycle from the touchpad.  I found that the bottom wash plate was spinning but the entire tub was not.  Removed the 15/16" nut holding the rotor assembly and removed the rotor assembly.  Found the coupler had cracked and jammed itself in the shaft of the clutch assembly.  The reason for the cracked coupler is that several coins were found to have jammed between the wash plate and the tub. When the unit wanted to go into wash and agitate, the coupler locks the tub from moving and the rotor spins the wash plate.  With a lot of torque from the motor, the wash plate tried to move but was jammed by the locked tub and the coins thus breaking the coupler. 


When removing the 15/16" nut, I had to use an electric impact gun.  The rotor is freewheeling and there is no way to loosen the nut properly by hand without the rotor turning.  Also, the washer was tilted back at about a 30° angle to be able to use the impact gun.  This is the recommended procedure when removing the rotor from LG.  Surprisingly, this unit is very light and doesn't have any cement counterweights.


Attached is a picture of the cracked coupler. 
The cost of the part is about $3.00.  Part #MCJ61861201
Very easy to replace and with enough experience, a tech can have this done in about 20 minutes.







Model WT5101HV

[AJ]

Interesting call, thanks for sharing.

[ScottyMo1]

Wild,
 I have replaced about half a dozen of these with cracked couplers. The other complaint that results in this is the unit makes a ticking noise when running a load. You can also hear the noise if you just spin the basket by hand. When you do have one ticking make sure to inspect the rotor, as it sometimes boogers up the gear on the rotor.  I've also seen a small washer that's in the coupler split and tear up the coupler. Usually find pieces of the washer stuck to the rotor magnets. You're right impact is the way to go, very fast fix with the right tools. Nice pix too.

[Mettalikatt]

Great info.  Haven't seen this machine yet

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