[4MMsDad]

I have a Maytag Neptune Model FAV6800AWW, Serial # starts with "16". Per other topics on this forum, there were issues with the Off-balance indicator during spin. I removed the clutch and found the steel pin at the end of the spring to be moving freely within the clutch, so I need to request a new clutch. Question # 1 is do I need to order the full assembly (AP4009131) or do I only need the clutch (AP4310552).

Also, a secondary question. When taking the clutch apart, I noticed that the bearings were very rusty and completely locked-up. Even though the spring had an issue, I lubed the clutch with WD-40 and it took some work to get this to move again. The rust seemed a bit curious to me. I noticed a lot of white powder in the clutch as well (sign of water previously). After I pulled the clutch apart, I realized that I had not run the drain cycle completely and there was water still in the tub. I then noticed a small drip coming from the bottom of the tub around the area where the clutch is attached. I'm wondering now if part of the problem wasn't simply the age of the clutch but the fact that there's minor water penetration occurring, which caused rusting and other build-up. Does water normally drip from this location or this is a secondary issue that needs to now be addressed?

I'm fairly handy with repairs like this, but I'm not sure if this further leak is something that's relatively simple to fix or whether I need to call a repair technician at this point to fix both? I'm concerned that if I simply replace the clutch that I will have another failure at some point in the future that could have been fixed by a simply O-ring replacement now. If this involves a lot of break-down work on the machine, I'm not sure I'm that comfortable with more disassembly.

Your input and assistance is greatly appreciated.

Thank you, Brian