Washing Machine repair

[Dennis McDonaugh]

The belt for our 8 year old washing machine broke. Do they just break by themselves or do they break trying to spin the tub? In other words, should I replace the belt or go and look at new washing machines?

Thanks,

[Ted Shrader]

Dennis -

Only 8 years old? I would replace the belt. Check the solenoids on the transmission arm while you have it turned up. One of them might have decided to quit, too.

Ted

[Tom LaRussa]

The belt for our 8 year old washing machine broke. Do they just break by themselves or do they break trying to spin the tub? In other words, should I replace the belt or go and look at new washing machines?

Thanks,
Replace the belt, then buy yourself a nice tool as a reward for being thrifty. :D

[John Pollman]

Buy a belt !

Eight years old ? Heck, you should get at least 15 years out of a washing machine I'd say. Probably longer. There should be a lot of life left in that thing.

[Bill Turpin]

If washer is one of the above there is a secret to replacimg the belt. Do not drop the transmission to get the support post inside the belt. There is a sleeve in the post just wide enough for the belt to slip inside. It will be hidden by dust and grease. The bolt is six inches long. remove and the sleeve can be pushed out.

Bill in WNC mountains

[Ken Fitzgerald]

Dennis....we've been married 36 years and we are on our 2nd washing machine. The first last about 25 years. I replaced a belt, a couple of solenoids. When the timer/control failed, I replaced the machine. By all means, replace the belt.

[Dennis McDonaugh]

Thanks for the help guys. I was wondering if something locked up and caused the belt to fail. The last washing machine I replaced had a bad water pump which caused the motor to fail somehow. At least that's what the repair man said. It was going to cost over $300 to fix so I just sent him on his way and bought another. I'll find a belt on monday and see what I can do.

[Randy Meijer]

I just replaced the belt in my Sears(Kenmore) washing machine and while I wouldn't say it was a tough job, it was not the easiest job I've ever done. As was mentioned earlier the Sears belt is a little tricky to get on. Fortunately, I bought the belt from an independent supply house and the folks were very helpful about the special tricks need to change out the belt. They even had a demo washer with the shell cut away so they could point out the tricky parts!!! There were also very detailed instructions on the box that the belt came in. Doubt you would get that kind of service from the Sears parts department.

DON'T tip the washer over on its side to do this job or you may lose some of the oil out of the transmission. If you can find some help, put the washer up on a bench and tip it no more than about 45°. Makes the job go a lot easier!!! Wish I hadn't learned this the hard way. Think I paid about $17 for the belt and it took about an hour to install. The service guy wanted a little over a hundred bucks to come to the house and do it.

[Dennis McDonaugh]

Randy, I have the front off the machine and have a pretty good view of the pulleys. I'm thinking I can put the belt on without tipping the machine back. Did the front come off of yours or did you have to access it through the bottom of the machine?

[Randy Meijer]

I did mine from the back and the bottom. Probably could have done it all from the back if it had been up on a bench; but I was working on the floor.

[Dennis McDonaugh]

I bought the belt on Monday, but didn't get a chance to put it in until Tuesday. It didn't take any tools--The belt is tensioned with a spring loaded pulley. Works great. Thanks for all your help.