MVWB765FW0 - Maytag Washer Grinding agitator

[SporeFlower]

Model Number

MVWB765FW0

Brand

Maytag

Age

1-5 years

A few days ago, my spouse ran a heavy load triggering a loud grinding noise whenever the agitator tries to rotate.

I could free-spin the agitator by hand. If I pressed down on it, I could get the agitator "lock" and stop turning. Wasn't sure if this was normal or not.

Pull off the agitator and both the post and "gear" are rusty but they don't appear stripped... I think? I'm not actually sure what it's supposed to look like.

Found muddy gunk wrapped around the bottom of the post consisting of animal hair and feathers. Cleaned off the mud, reassembled the agitator, ran the test mode and it seemed fine. The agitator wasn't free spinning in my hands anymore.

Threw in two towels to run a load and the agitator seems to work most of the time but occasionally stops and makes a grinding noise.

Took it apart again to take the photos below.

I'm not really sure where to go from here. Can someone point me in the right direction?

 

[Airguy06]

SporeFlower, do you have a picture of the splines after you cleaned them up? Does it make the noise on all cycles or just wash? Can you add a video to hear the grinding?

 

[SporeFlower]

SporeFlower, do you have a picture of the splines after you cleaned them up?

The photos are of the splines as they currently look. I just removed the hair, feathers and mud. I'm not sure what I can, or should, use to clean them any further. I'm open to suggestions.

Does it make the noise on all cycles or just wash?

Just the test modes using the short and long agitator functions and the Normal cycle. Never occurred to me to try any other modes.

Can you add a video to hear the grinding?

Sure. Give me a little bit to reassemble it and I'll get one. Knowing my luck it won't do it again.

 

[SporeFlower]

Here it is. Hopefully the file isn't too big...

 

[Airguy06]

Sounds like the main transmission is going out, if I heard right it works and then starts the banging and stops. The spin cycle will probably work fine but the agitator will work less and less. I expect it will get worse and you may get an overload error. Try getting into the diagnostic mode and see if it gives you any error codes. I attached the parts breakdown and highlighted the transmission. Its not an easy task in that you have to take apart the tub and motor to get to it. All the MVWB models share most of the same parts except for user interface panels and matching control boards with the different features. Perhaps Jake can give his input on diagnosis too.

 

[Airguy06]

Also your splines look ok, here is a picture of what they should look like.

 

[Jake]

Yes, @Airguy06 is correct, your transmission seems to be the problem, especially with that oil coming out the top.

But, I'd first remove the agitator and see if the agitator spline is worn out/stripped.

Here's the agitator for your model: Agitator W11550891

For others following your thread--->This video shows you how to remove it:



If your agitator spline is NOT worn out/stripped, THEN Yes, you'd need a new gearcase.

Here's the gearcase for your model: Gearcase W11393685

Jake

 

[SporeFlower]

Sounds like the main transmission is going out, if I heard right it works and then starts the banging and stops. The spin cycle will probably work fine but the agitator will work less and less. I expect it will get worse and you may get an overload error. Try getting into the diagnostic mode and see if it gives you any error codes. I attached the parts breakdown and highlighted the transmission. Its not an easy task in that you have to take apart the tub and motor to get to it. All the MVWB models share most of the same parts except for user interface panels and matching control boards with the different features. Perhaps Jake can give his input on diagnosis too.

Thank you for the response.

I found "W10607408 - Rev F.pdf" put up by Jake (I think) in another post for someone with the same model . That got me F0E3 (overload) and F0E5 (Off Balance) which, according to the documentation, seems to line up with what you're saying.

So to get at it, I probably have to pull it all the way out, flip it down, and get to it from the back/bottom.

Yes, @Airguy06 is correct, your transmission seems to be the problem, especially with that oil coming out the top.

But, I'd first remove the agitator and see if the agitator spline is worn out/stripped.

I didn't notice any oil when I took it apart each time. The first time I took it apart, it was dry as a bone. After that, it's all water.

Yep, saw this video in another thread. It's kind of confusing at first because it shows two pieces when the model I have is a single piece. I spent a good 15 minutes trying to find the nonexistent seam. Still super helpful because I didn't know the cap was supposed to "pop" off.

Then I spent about an hour digging through my garage for enough extenders to reach the bolt.

If your agitator spline is NOT worn out/stripped, THEN Yes, you'd need a new gearcase.

Here's the gearcase for your model: Gearcase W11393685

Jake

$300?!

At that point is it worth it to repair or buy a new one? We bought this one because it was "commercial" and we run it at least once a day, usually more often.

 

[Airguy06]

Its a tough call, if you have to call a repairman then it will be expensive for parts and labor. If you can do it yourself then it won't be as bad since a new machine will run you over $700.00. If you have a day or two you can replace it yourself. Most of the tools needed are sockets, screwdrivers, possibly a jack and waterproof grease. The hardest part will be popping the gearcase from the tub. My 16 y/o daughter got some early experience in repair work helping me separate it with a jack. Here are some pictures from when I replaced mine in March. I had diagnosed the gearcase was grinding and bought another to have ready and of course it seized up on a friday when all the kid's clothes had to be ready for school on monday. Let us know what you decide to do to fix or replace machine....

 

[Jake]

$300?!

At that point is it worth it to repair or buy a new one? We bought this one because it was "commercial" and we run it at least once a day, usually more often.

Yes, I agree, very pricey and the added inflation in the last year of so doesn't make it better.

Its your choice, Usually what I tell folks is if you use the machine daily or many times a day, its better to save the repair money for a new washer.

 

[SporeFlower]

Sigh... spouse is wishy washy on whether I repair this or buy a new one. Model they want is around $1200.

I guess I see no other choice.

I guess the first step is to remove the broken part and verify it is broken.

Is there a resource/instruction/video showing the procedure to remove this part?

 

[Jake]

Yes, this video gives you the general idea of how to do it.

Your Maytag is made by Whirlpool, and it should be basically the same process.

 

[SporeFlower]

At 3:27 into the video, he lifts the tub straight out of the machine.

Disconnected the inlet hose @ 1:02
Removed the three screws and small panel at @1:23
Taped the lid and flipped the top panel back @ 1:45
Took off the plastic "top" by popping if off the 8 tabs. @ 2:14
Cursed the engineer that designed the plastic tub - 2 minutes of swearing plus five minutes trying to find the Spongebob Squarepants bandaids.
Took off the agitator (done previously)
Used the spanner to take off the ring. @ 3:13
Now the tub is stuck.

I think it might be rusted in place, can I go ahead and use WD40 to try and loosen it up or did I miss a step?

 

[Jake]

I think it might be rusted in place, can I go ahead and use WD40 to try and loosen it up or did I miss a step?

Yes, WD40 or Liquid Wrench or Rust Buster.

There is a brand new video AppliancePartsPros just posted that gives you more detail on how to do it:

 

[SporeFlower]

Thanks for the video. That filled in a couple of little gaps and concisely shows how to put it back in.

I found another video that gave me some tips on what to do when the tub is stuck solid. A piece of wood and a good whack with a hammer got it out nicely

 

[Jake]

Glad to hear that.

I found another video that gave me some tips on what to do when the tub is stuck solid. A piece of wood and a good whack with a hammer got it out nicely

Can you please post the link to that video, or embed it here, so others can know too?

Thanks!