Hey folks,

Well, I decided to get into trying to figure out what the problem was.

Initially, the loud high pitched squeeling only occurred on the spin cycle- at times not spinning at all, and sometimes very slowly taking a while to get to full velocity- clothes ultimately spun out, fine.

I let it go until I mustered up the courage to do the job. By then, it was making the sound even during agitation (more of a whining sound, then).

At first, I figured it to be either the motor couplings or the agitator dogs- so I took those things apart and they're absolutely fine.

Next, I took the gearbox out because I noticed that when I moved the washer, the ground was a little damp from oil...not a tremendous amount, but it was there- looked like some had even splattered up into the plastic bin as well.

Anyway, I took the gear box apart and everything is operating just fine- no worn gears at all and nothing binding up

Any ideas?

I'm looking at the clutch assembly and the brake/drive tube- but i'll be damned if I know what to look for that would indicate these parts are at fault.

Drive block is fine as well.

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

Paul

Incidentally, I decided to take the pump off upon the suggestion from someone on another forum.

I found one of those white dental flossers in the pump.

Could that have been the cause of the problem, all along?

Hi Paul,

Yes, that white dental flossers could have been making the pump impeller make that noise.

Whats the model# of your washer? Its located inside the lid/door.

Once you removed the dental flosser did it sound normal again?

Jake

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Hi Jake,

Well, it's a direct drive Whirlpool LSQ8543JQ0

I haven't completely put everything back together, yet.... I had pulled apart the gearcase to inspect everything, and in doing so drained the oil.

I'm gonna head to a local Autozone and pick up some 90 weight Lucas oil and some red RTV

I'm also guessing that in addition to any impeller sound that the motor wasn't able to turn the gearcase as it should have?

I mean, everything else looks fine, literally. Any ideas on what else I should look for, as I have everything out?

....I was thinking about replacing the brake/drive tube assembly and clutch just for the hell of it.... No?

Yes Paul, From the repairs I do on these models I find if the gearcase is ok, then its the basket drive and clutch assembly thats wearing out causing the problem.

Here is the basket drive for your model, you can order:
Manufacturer part number 285792 is RepairClinic item number 1254
285792

Here is your clutch assembly:
Manufacturer part number 285785 is RepairClinic item number 2670
285785

Jake

__________________
Appliance Repair School 1987-1988
Star Appliance Tech. 2 yrs. 1988-1990
Wards Appliance Tech. 11 yrs. 1990-2001
Sears Appliance Tech. 4 yrs. 2001-Oct. 2005
Jake's Appliance Repair Nov. 2005-present

If you need more repair advice help on your appliance, click Here

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Excellent!

Thanks, man. I hate to think I pulled this machine apart in vain.

Will post results once back together.

Ok, sounds good Paul.

Jake

__________________
Appliance Repair School 1987-1988
Star Appliance Tech. 2 yrs. 1988-1990
Wards Appliance Tech. 11 yrs. 1990-2001
Sears Appliance Tech. 4 yrs. 2001-Oct. 2005
Jake's Appliance Repair Nov. 2005-present

If you need more repair advice help on your appliance, click Here

Look-Up & Order Parts

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The parts arrived today, and when I opened them I immediately noticed a difference between 2 things in particular...

The shaft on the drive basket/tube did NOT have a series of grooves on it that the one I pulled out had in it- I thought these were normal...they obviously were not.

Also, the cam on the bottom of the used one was obviously very worn, as the new one was much thicker at the ends of the arms.

Everything looked okay with the clutch.

Anyway, I put everything back together and, voila!... It's like a new washing machine

Thanks for the help, Jake!

...Now it's off to fix the dryer that's squeeling and scraping- replacing idler pulley, belt, and rollers... =-)

I'll be damned if I buy new large appliances after 8 years... My mother had a washing machine and dryer that lasted nearly 20 years.

Sounds good Paul, good job fixing it.

Jake

__________________
Appliance Repair School 1987-1988
Star Appliance Tech. 2 yrs. 1988-1990
Wards Appliance Tech. 11 yrs. 1990-2001
Sears Appliance Tech. 4 yrs. 2001-Oct. 2005
Jake's Appliance Repair Nov. 2005-present

If you need more repair advice help on your appliance, click Here

Look-Up & Order Parts

Shop Home Appliances