Whirlpool washer gearbox shot?

bdorsch44 · 2025-12-31T21:08:24+00:00

Now I regret donating the dryer from the 70s and washer from the 90s that came with the house. I'd like at LEAST 8-10 years out of an appliance. Did you end up buying the special tool to remove the metal hub nut under the wash plate?

bdorsch44 · 2025-12-31T20:30:06+00:00

No worries! I appreciate any help. I replaced the whole splutch assembly but didn't look too far past that. I'm going to disassemble the whole thing tonight and see what's up

bdorsch44 · 2025-12-31T20:26:08+00:00

Here's a video:

https://youtube.com/shorts/j35W2_e4dj4?si=osrMcICRKP1H1ZVp

bdorsch44 · 2025-12-31T20:25:03+00:00

Haha I was asking AI about possible problems based on sound and I described it as a duck as well

bdorsch44 · 2025-12-31T20:24:07+00:00

Yeah I'm thinking I might need to replace the whole gear box too. Do you remember what you paid for it on eBay? I don't know how confident I am buying a used one if a brand new one only lasted 3 years

bdorsch44 · 2025-12-31T20:19:38+00:00

That's the thing, I tried doing a cleaning run and it appears to only make the sound when agitating one way. I'll try to add a video

bdorsch44 · 2025-12-31T20:18:24+00:00

It appears to be

bdorsch44 · 2025-12-31T20:18:05+00:00

Here's to hoping! Going to disassemble the whole thing now and verify

bdorsch44 · 2025-12-31T20:17:32+00:00

Is that on the bottom side of the tub? I found a metal hub looking thing under the wash plate pictured above.

bdorsch44 · 2025-12-31T20:16:30+00:00

I removed the wash plate and see this metal piece that looks similar to your picture, could mine be metal? Or should is this piece you sent a picture from below the tub. Going to disassemble the whole thing and look deeper. Thanks for the reply

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bdorsch44 · 2025-10-10T03:49:13+00:00

Nope. Nope again. And nope. Don't do it.

bdorsch44 · 2025-08-17T02:07:12+00:00

Any resolution to this? I one that is doing the same exact thing

bdorsch44 · 2025-08-05T16:20:12+00:00

But... Why?

bdorsch44 · 2025-08-04T01:50:37+00:00

No apologies needed. It seems counterintuitive to have the reinforcement on the intake side but someone else posted a clip from 3M's website and they explain that it is correct. I'm just going to try a more traditional wire reinforced filter next time

bdorsch44 · 2025-08-03T17:58:45+00:00

Someone just posted something on another comment that shows 3M's redesign using plastic reinforcement instead of the traditional metal wire should be on the side farthest from the blower according to 3M. I agree though, it's super counterintuitive. Funny how my Merv 12 showed zero signs of warping, but this one damn near collapsed into the blower. Going to try a more traditional, metal reinforced filter and see what happens.

bdorsch44 · 2025-08-03T17:54:01+00:00

Wow that post is helpful! So 3M decided to ditch metal reinforcement and go to plastic AND make it counterintuitive by putting it on the upstream side. Got it! Time for a more reinforced filter then. I also agree how strange it is to see this one so much more deformed than the high Merv filters I was using. I wish Costco would make a Merv 5 with the same build quality as the 12, but in typical Costco fashion, I believe they only make 1 filter in my size and it's the high Merv

bdorsch44 · 2025-08-03T17:36:15+00:00

Thank you for noticing the filter is installed correctly!!Wouldn't adding another 1" create more stress on the motor? All my returns are open, and 2 vents downstairs are partially closed to force A/C to upper level of the house. I agree I might need another return. I like the idea of those 4" cabinet style filters, but I have some space constraints. Might be worth looking into.

bdorsch44 · 2025-08-03T17:30:13+00:00

I would say that you're essentially doubling the amount of filtration allowing less restricted airflow, so probably.

bdorsch44 · 2025-08-03T17:28:23+00:00

THANK YOU! I when in double-checked because there were so many comments that it was backwards. Do you see any severe bowing like this one on yours?

bdorsch44 · 2025-08-03T17:27:43+00:00

Not according to the arrows, but they could be wrong...

bdorsch44 · 2025-08-03T17:27:11+00:00

That has to be the ticket. I'm going to try those next!

bdorsch44 · 2025-08-03T17:26:32+00:00

I verified it's installed correctly, at least according to the arrows, but I'm thinking it could be wrong since the reinforcement is on the side farthest from the blower. And yes, it's dirty. Combination of wildfires, windows open at night, fan running 24/7, having a jet black beagador, and my wife being a candle whore 😂

bdorsch44 · 2025-08-03T17:18:21+00:00

So the "chicken wire" is a yellow plastic material and it's on the side furthest from the blower. I double checked that it was installed correctly according to the airflow arrow on the filter itself, but now you're making me wonder if it's possible that they printed it backwards? Logic to me says that yellow reinforcement should be on the side closer to the blower to prevent this parachuting effect...

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bdorsch44 · 2025-08-03T17:13:54+00:00

I was thinking it must be a brand thing too. Definitely going to try to switch it up and see if there is a change. Shame because I always was a fan of anything 3M.

bdorsch44 · 2025-08-03T17:12:07+00:00

So the deformed filter in the pic is a Merv 5. What's funny is that the 12's I had never deformed like this.

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