If you are having issues with your Maytag washing machine agitator, this guide is for you. We’ll be discussing various issues and giving you steps on how to fix them…
Table of Contents
Maytag Washing Machine Not Agitating — How To Fix
Is your Maytag washing machine not agitating? If so, look for the following issues…
1. Damaged Drive Block
To check and replace the drive block in your top loader Maytag washing machine, follow the steps below…
Step 1. Prevent any chances of electrocution by disconnecting your machine from the outlet before starting this procedure.
Step 2. Use a Torx screwdriver to loosen the nut holding the wiring and tube guard to the back of the machine.
Step 3. Place some tape on the lid of your washer to secure it. Loosen the bolts at the back of the machine securing the top panel. Lift the top panel and support it by placing it against a wall, or using a lanyard.
Step 4. Using a small flat-blade screwdriver, pry the tub cover off the tub assembly and set it aside.
Step 5. Pry the cap off the agitator and pull the filter out. Loosen the bolt holding the agitator to the shaft using a 7/16 inch socket wrench.
Step 6. Carefully lift the agitator out of the tub and set it aside. Using a hammer and a tub nut wrench, loosen the bolt holding the inner tub to the shaft. Carefully lift the inner tub out of the cabinet and set it aside.
Step 7. Use a hammer to carefully knock the drive block off the transmission shaft. Discard the old block and take the new one out of its packaging.
Step 8. Carefully slide the new drive block onto the transmission shaft. Lower the inner tub onto the shaft, then secure it by applying the tub nut.
Step 9. Place the agitator on the shaft, then apply the bolt using a 7/16 inch socket wrench. Put the filter and cap back on the agitator.
Step 10. Snap the tub cover onto the tub assembly. Lower the top panel onto the cabinet, then apply the screws at the back using a Torx screwdriver.
Step 11. Peel the tape off the lid of your washing machine. Put the wiring and tube guard back on, then apply the screws. Plug your washer back into the outlet, then try running a cycle to see if the issue has been fixed.
2. Damaged Drive Tube
Follow the steps below to replace a damaged drive tube in your top loader Maytag washing machine…
Step 1. Prevent electrocution and water leakage by disconnecting your washer from the power outlet and turning the water taps off before starting this repair.
Step 2. Go to the back of the washer, then use pliers to release the retaining clamp holding the drain hose to the machine. Detach the hose from the appliance.
Step 3. Spread some towels on the floor underneath the inlet hoses to catch any leaks. Disconnect the water supply hoses from the back of the machine.
Step 4. Place some tape on the lid of your washing machine to help secure it. Insert a putty knife underneath the top panel (this releases the locking clips).
Step 5. Lift the top panel, then support it by placing it against a wall, or using a lanyard. Use pliers to release the clamp securing the re-circulation hose to the tub cover. Pull the hose off the tub cover.
Step 6. Use a small flat-blade screwdriver to pry the tub cover off the assembly. Pry the cap off the agitator. Pull the lint filter out of the agitator and set it aside.
Step 7. Loosen the bolt holding the agitator to the inner tub using a 7/16 inch socket wrench. Lift the agitator out of the tub and set it aside.
Step 8. Take out the screws holding the basket hub to the inner tub using a Philips screwdriver. Carefully lift the inner tub off the shaft and set it aside.
Step 9. Lower the top panel and snap it back onto the cabinet. With someone assisting you, tip your washing machine backwards carefully and set it on the floor.
Step 10. Insert a small screwdriver into one of the inner holes on the rotor assembly (this will help jam the rotor).
Step 11. Loosen the nut holding the rotor to the bottom of the tub using a 1/4 inch Allen wrench. Carefully pry the rotor off the tub and set it aside.
Step 12. Loosen the bolts holding the stator to the bottom of the tub using a 3/8 inch socket wrench. Lift the stator and shield off the tub. Disconnect the wires attached to the stator, then set it aside.
Step 13. Secure the drive tube shaft using a pair of pliers. While securing the shaft, loosen the drive tube bolt using an adjustable wrench. With the bolt taken out, use a mallet to carefully knock the tube through the opening on the tub.
Step 14. Get someone to help you lift the machine onto its feet. Use your putty knife to release the top panel clips. Lift the top panel and support it.
Step 15. Take the old drive tube out of the tub and discard it. Prepare the new drive tube for installation by taking it out of its packaging.
Step 16. Push the new drive tube into the opening at the bottom of the tub. Lower the top panel onto the cabinet. Tip the washer backwards and set it on the floor.
Step 17. Secure the new drive tube using pliers, then tighten the bolt using an adjustable wrench.
Step 18. Plug the wire harness back into the stator. Place the stator and mounting plate at the bottom of the tub, then secure by applying the 3/8 inch socket wrench.
Step 19. Mount the rotor assembly on the stator, then tighten the bolt using a 1/4 inch Allen wrench. Get someone to help you lift the machine back onto its feet.
Step 20. Lift the top panel and support it. Lower the inner tub onto the drive tube. Put the basket hub in place, then secure it by applying the nuts using a Philips screwdriver.
Step 21. Snap the tub cover onto the tub assembly. Reconnect the re-circulation hose to the port on the tub cover, then secure it using the retaining clamp.
Step 22. Lower the agitator onto the shaft, then use a 7/16 inch socket wrench to apply the bolt. Push the filter back into the agitator, then snap the cap on.
Step 23. Lower the top panel and snap it on the cabinet. Peel the tape off the lid of your machine.
Step 24. Go to the back of your washing machine and reconnect the drain hose to the port. Use pliers to move the retaining clamp into place.
Step 25. Reconnect the COLD and HOT water supply hoses to the ports at the back of the cabinet (ensure that the hoses are secured properly in order to prevent leakage).
Step 26. Plug your washing machine into the power outlet and turn the water taps on. To ensure that the issue has been fixed, try running a cycle.
Check out these other articles…
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3. Worn Belt
A worn or damaged drive belt can prevent your Maytag washing machine agitator from working. Follow the steps below to inspect this part…
Step 1. In order to prevent water leaks and electrocution, it is advised that you disconnect the machine from the outlet and turn the water taps off.
Step 2. Put some tape on your washing machine’s lid to secure it. Disconnect the two water supply hoses from the ports at the back of the machine (some water may spill out, so keep a rag nearby).
Step 3. Squeeze the retaining clamp holding the drain hose to the back of the machine using pliers, then slide it out of place. Disconnect the drain hose from the back of the cabinet.
Step 4. Get someone to help you tilt the machine backwards and set it on the floor. With a 5/16 inch nut-driver, loosen the bolts holding the belt guard to the bottom of the tub.
Step 5. Take the drive belt off the motor pulley and transmission pulley. Inspect the grooved side of the belt. If the grooves are worn out or damaged, you’ll need to replace the belt.
Step 6. If the belt is in good condition, loop it back around the two pulleys. Put the belt guard back in place, then secure it by applying the 5/16 inch screws.
Step 7. With someone assisting you, lift your washing machine onto its feet and peel the tape off the lid.
Step 8. Reattach the drain hose to the port at the back of the machine. Secure the hose by moving the retaining clamp into place using pliers.
Step 9. Reattach the HOT and COLD water supply hoses to their corresponding ports on the cabinet.
Step 10. Plug your washer’s power cord back into the outlet, then turn the water supply faucets on.
4. Failed Motor
If your washing machine motor fails or gets damaged, the agitator will not be able to work normally. For detailed steps on how to test and replace this part, read this article: Maytag Washing Machine Motor.
How To Replace Maytag Washing Machine Agitator — Quick Fix
To replace your Maytag washing machine agitator, follow the steps below…
Step 1. Prevent electrocution by disconnecting your washing machine from the outlet before starting this procedure.
Step 2. Open the lid of your washing machine, then pry the cap off the agitator. Pull the filter out of the agitator.
Step 3. Using a 7/16 inch socket wrench, loosen the bolt securing the agitator to the transmission shaft. Take the agitator out of the tub and discard it.
Step 4. Prepare the new Maytag washing machine agitator for installation by taking it out of its packaging.
Step 5. Lower the new agitator onto the inner tub shaft. Secure the agitator by applying the 7/16 inch bolt.
Step 6. Put the filter in the new agitator, then snap the cap on. Close the lid of your washing machine.
Step 7. Plug the appliance back into the electrical outlet, then make sure everything works properly by running a wash cycle.
