This detailed guide gives you steps on how to replace your Maytag washing machine bearings…
Table of Contents
How To Replace Maytag Washing Machine Bearings — Solved
The steps below show you how to replace Maytag washing machine bearings…
Front Loaders
In order to replace the bearings in your Maytag front loader, you’ll need to change the entire rear half of the outer tub. Follow the steps below to replace your front loader Maytag washing machine bearings…
Tools Needed:
- Torx- 20 and 10 screwdrivers
- 24mm, 13mm, 7mm socket wrenches
- Flat-blade screwdriver
- Hammer
- Pliers
Step 1. Before starting this repair, ensure that your washing machine’s power cord is disconnected from the outlet the water taps are closed in order to prevent water leaks and electrocution.
Step 2. Go to the back of your washing machine, then loosen the three screws securing the top panel using the Torx-20 screwdriver. Slide the panel backwards a few inches, then lift it off the machine.
Step 3. Using the Torx-20 screwdriver, loosen the bolts holding the rear panel to the cabinet. Lift the rear panel off the machine and set it aside.
Step 4. With the same Torx screwdriver, take out the bolts holding the top and bottom braces to the rear panel.
Step 5. Go to the front of the washer, then slide the soap tray out of the dispenser. Press the little tab in the tray to completely release it from the housing.
Step 6. With the Torx-20 screwdriver, loosen the bolt next to the dispenser opening. Pry the panel off the front of the cabinet.
Step 7. Unplug the control panel’s wire connector from the control board, then release the wire from the retainers at the side of the cabinet. Take the control panel off the machine and set it aside.
Step 8. Using your Torx-20 screwdriver, take out the nuts holding the door lock assembly to the front panel.
Step 9. Using needle-nosed pliers, carefully take the retaining band off the door boot seal (take care not to puncture the seal).
Step 10. Peel the door boot seal off the front panel. With the Torx-20 screwdriver, loosen the bolts holding the washer’s lower front access panel. Lift the panel off and set it aside.
Step 11. Use the Torx screwdriver to take out the bolts at the top and bottom of the main front panel. Lift the main front panel upwards a bit, then pull it off the cabinet.
Step 12. Pull the window washer tube and water inlet tube off the ports at the top of the door gasket.
Step 13. Using your Torx screwdriver, take out the bolts holding the dispenser assembly to the top frame brace.
Step 14. Loosen the screws holding the top frame brace to the cabinet. Pull the window washer tube out of the retainer on the frame brace.
Step 15. Set the top frame brace aside. Pull the dispenser hose out of the port at the top of the tub. Move the dispenser assembly aside.
Step 16. Using a 7mm socket wrench, loosen the bolt holding the inner retaining clamp to the door boot seal. Peel the door seal off the drum opening, then set it aside.
Step 17. With the 13mm socket, take out the three bolts securing the two front counter-weights to the top and bottom of the drum. Carefully lift each weight off the machine.
Step 18. Go to the back of the tub. Carefully unhook the drive belt from the two pulleys, then set it aside.
Step 19. Jam the drive pulley using the arm of a hammer. Loosen the drive pulley bolt using your 24mm socket wrench. Take the pulley off the shaft and set it aside.
Step 20. With the 13mm socket, take out the bolts holding the rear counter-weight to the top of the drum. Lift the weight off and set it aside.
Step 21. Use your Torx screwdriver to loosen the bolt holding the grounding wire to the bearing hub.
Step 22. Unplug the second grounding wire from the motor assembly. Pull the wire out of the slots at the back of the tub.
Step 23. With your 13mm socket wrench, take out the bolts holding the motor assembly to the bottom of the tub. Carefully take the motor off the tub mounts, then set it on the floor of the cabinet.
Step 24. Using the Torx screwdriver, loosen the screw holding the pressure tube assembly to the back of the drum.
Step 25. Go to the front of the machine. Spread a towel on the floor and place a container underneath the pump filter.
Step 26. Turn the pump filter knob, then let any water stuck in the drum drain out into the container.
Step 27. Once all the water drains out, put the filter back in place. Go to the back of the tub, then use your pliers to release the spring clamp holding the sump hose to the bottom of the tub.
Step 28. Pull the sump hose off the tub (ensure that you keep a rag nearby to clean any water leaks).
Step 29. Use your pliers to squeeze the clamp holding the second outlet hose to the upper rear part of the tub, then slide it out of place. Pull the hose off the machine.
Step 30. Using pliers, grab the top of one of the shock absorbers. Rotate the shock absorber, then pull it out of the mount at the bottom of the tub. Repeat this procedure with the remaining shocks.
Step 31. Unplug the temperature sensor wire connector at the bottom of the tub, then release the wires from the retainers.
Step 32. With a flat-blade screwdriver, release the wire harness retaining bracket from the slots on the cabinet.
Step 33. Lift the two suspension springs and unhook them from the cabinet. Carefully guide the tub assembly out of the cabinet.
Step 34. Unhook the two suspension springs from the tub, then set them aside. Turn the tub assembly over, then set it face-down on the floor.
Step 35. Use your flat-blade screwdriver to pry off the retaining clips holding the two halves of the outer tub together. Pull the two halves apart.
Step 36. Lift the inner tub out of the rear half of the outer tub. Loosen the screws holding the motor cover to the rear half of the outer tub using a Torx-20 screwdriver.
Step 37. Take the new outer tub out of its packaging. Transfer the motor cover from the old tub to the new one, then tighten the nuts to secure it.
Step 38. Firmly push the new tub seal into the grooves of the new outer tub rear half. Apply some of the provided grease to the bearings in the new tub.
Step 39. Place the front half of the outer tub face-down on the floor. Place the inner tub on the front half.
Step 40. Lower the rear half of the outer tub onto the inner tub shaft. Using a hammer, snap the retaining clips on to secure the two halves.
Step 41. Hook the two suspension springs into the holes on the tub. Carefully lift the tub assembly and guide it back into the cabinet.
Step 42. Lift the two suspension springs and hook them onto the cabinet. Push each of the four shock absorbers into the mounts at the bottom of the tub, then rotate them to secure.
Step 43. Mount the rear counter-weight onto the drum, then tighten the bolts using your 13mm socket wrench.
Step 44. Go to the front of the drum, then mount the two counter-weights. Using the 13mm socket wrench, secure the bolts.
Step 45. Reconnect the outlet hose to the port at the back of the tub. Using your pliers, slide the retaining clamp back into place.
Step 46. Reattach the sump hose to the port at the bottom of the tub. Move the retaining clamp into place using your pliers.
Step 47. Mount the motor assembly at the bottom of the tub, then use the 13mm socket wrench to apply the bolts.
Step 48. Plug the grounding wire into the motor assembly. Use your Torx screwdriver to apply the bolt to secure the second grounding wire near the bearing hub.
Step 49. Snap the pressure tub assembly back onto the tub, then tighten the nut with your screwdriver.
Step 50. Place the drive pulley on the inner tub shaft, then apply the nut using the 24mm socket wrench.
Step 51. Loop the drive belt back around the motor pulley and drive pulley (ensure that the grooved side of the belt is turned inwards).
Step 52. Mount the two rear braces on the cabinet, then secure them by applying the bolts with your Torx screwdriver.
Step 53. Place the rear panel on the cabinet. Secure the panel by applying the nuts with your screwdriver.
Step 54. Go to the front of the machine. Refit the door boot seal around the tub opening. Fit the inner retaining band around the seal, then tighten the bolt using a 7mm socket wrench.
Step 55. Snap the wire harness retaining bracket back onto the cabinet. Move the detergent dispenser back into place, then push the hose into the port at the top of the drum.
Step 56. Reconnect the inlet tube to the port at the top of the door boot seal. Push the window washer tube into the retainer on the top frame brace.
Step 57. Mount the top frame brace on the cabinet, then secure it by applying the bolts with your Torx screwdriver.
Step 58. Connect the window washer tube back to the port on the door boot seal. Reach underneath the tub and plug the temperature sensor wire connector back in. Secure the wire in the retainers.
Step 59. Carefully lift the main front panel and remount it on the cabinet. Using your Torx-20 screwdriver, apply the screws at the top and bottom of the panel.
Step 60. Snap the lower access panel onto the cabinet, then secure it by applying the bolts.
Step 61. Open your washing machine’s door. Reach behind the front panel and push the door lock back into place. Secure the door lock by applying the nuts with your screwdriver.
Step 62. Refit the door boot seal around the front panel. Using needle-nosed pliers or a flat-blade screwdriver, fit the outer retaining band back around the gasket.
Step 63. Pass the control panel’s wire through the opening on the top frame brace. Snap the control panel on the cabinet, then tighten the bolt next to the dispenser opening using your screwdriver.
Step 64. Slide the detergent tray back into the dispenser. Plug the control panel’s wire connector into the main control board.
Step 65. Secure the control panel wire in the harness retaining bracket. Mount the top panel on the cabinet, then use your Torx screwdriver to apply the bolts at the back.
Step 66. Plug your washing machine back into the electrical outlet, then turn the water faucets back on. Ensure that everything works properly by running a cycle.
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Top Loaders
To replace your top loader Maytag washing machine bearings, follow the steps below…
Tools Needed:
- Towel
- Tape
- Pliers
- 3/8 and 7/16 inch socket wrench
- 1/4 inch Allen wrench
- Putty knife
- Adjustable wrench
- 5/16 inch nut-driver
- Hammer
- Philips screwdriver
- Flat-blade screwdriver
- Bearing installation tool
- New bearing kit
Step 1. Make sure to turn off your washing machine’s water taps and unplug the power cord from the outlet before starting this repair in order to prevent electrical damage and water leakage.
Step 2. Place some tape on the lid of your washing machine to help secure it. Insert the putty knife underneath the front panel (this should release the locking clips).
Step 3. Lift the top panel and support it using a lanyard, or by placing it against a wall (do not rely on the hinges for support).
Step 4. Using your pliers, squeeze the spring clamp securing the re-circulation hose to the tub cover, then slide it out of place. Pull the hose off the tub cover.
Step 5. With your flat-blade screwdriver, pry off the agitator’s cap. Take the filter out of the agitator and set it aside.
Step 6. Loosen the bolt holding the agitator to the tub using a 7/16 inch socket wrench. Lift the agitator out of the tub, then set it aside.
Step 7. Pry the tub cover off the tub assembly and set it aside. Reach into the tub, then use your Philips screwdriver to loosen the bolts holding the basket hub.
Step 8. Carefully lift the inner tub out of the cabinet, then set it aside. Lower the top panel back onto the cabinet.
Step 9. Tip the machine backwards carefully, then support it against a wall. Insert a small screwdriver into one of the holes on the rotor at the bottom of the tub.
Step 10. Loosen the bolt holding the rotor to the machine using a 1/4 inch Allen wrench. Carefully pry the rotor off the machine and set it aside.
Step 11. Using a 3/8 inch socket wrench, loosen the bolts holding the stator to the bottom of the tub. Lift the stator and mounting plate off the tub.
Step 12. Unplug the wire connector attached to the motor stator. Secure the drive shaft using your pliers.
Step 13. While holding the drive shaft, use your adjustable wrench to loosen the bolt. Use a hammer to knock the drive tube through the opening at the bottom of the tub.
Step 14. Set your washing machine back onto its feet. Lift the top panel assembly, then support it. Take the drive tube out of the tub.
Step 15. Using a hammer and a bearing removal rod (included in the installation tool kit) knock outer bearing out of the tub.
Step 16. Lower the top panel back onto the cabinet. Tip the machine backwards a bit and support it.
Step 17. Take out the three lower bearing pieces out from underneath the machine, then discard them.
Step 18. With the hammer and bearing removal rod, knock the inner bearing out from underneath the tub.
Step 19. Set the machine upright, then lift and support the top panel. Take the upper bearing out of the tub and set it aside.
Step 20. Take your new bearing assembly out of its packaging. Push the new inner bearing into the seat on the tub.
Step 21. Get the bearing installation tool, then loosen the three lower pieces. Slide the installation tool’s arm through the bearing.
Step 22. Lower the top panel onto the cabinet once more, then tilt and support the machine.
Step 23. Slide the new spacer tube and washer onto the installation tool arm. Push the lower bearing onto the arm.
Step 24. Put the three pieces of the installation tool back onto the arm. Tighten the bolt using your adjustable wrench (this will force the lower bearing into the seat).
Step 25. Once the lower bearing is in place, use your adjustable wrench to loosen the bolt. Take the three lower installation tool pieces off.
Step 26. Set your washing machine back onto its feet. Lift the top panel and support it. Take the bearing installation tool out of the tub and set it aside.
Step 27. Push the new drive tube through the inner bearing. Tip your machine backwards once more.
Step 28. Using your adjustable wrench, tighten the bolt to secure the drive tube. Plug the wire connector back into the stator assembly.
Step 29. Remount the stator and mounting plate at the bottom of the tub, then secure them by applying the bolts with your 3/18 inch socket wrench.
Step 30. Mount the rotor on the stator, then use your 1/4 inch Allen wrench to tighten the bolt.
Step 31. Set your washing machine back onto its feet, then lift and support the top panel.
Step 32. Fill the grooves of the new bearing seal using the provided grease. Apply some of the provided adhesive to the outer part of the seal.
Step 33. Slide the seal onto the drive tube and push it into place above the bearing. Apply another layer of adhesive to the top of the bearing seal.
Step 34. Use a towel to clean of any excess grease or adhesive on the drive tube or outer tub (it is advised that you leave the machine for a day or so in order to let the adhesive cure properly).
Step 35. Lower the inner tub onto the drive tube. Put the basket hub in place, then secure it by applying the nuts with your Philips screwdriver.
Step 36. Snap the tub cover back on. Reconnect the re-circulation hose to the tub cover, then slide the spring clamp into place.
Step 37. Lower the agitator into the inner tub, then use a 7/16 inch socket wrench to apply the bolt. Put the filter back in the agitator, then snap the cap on.
Step 38. Lower the top panel and snap it onto the cabinet. Peel the tape off the lid of your washing machine.
Step 39. Turn the water taps back on, then plug the power cord back into the electrical outlet.