You can lift it out without removing the large gland nut. The aluminium part in which the nut threaded to is keyed to the vertical tube. This contact point was damaged on both sides which caused the tub to free-wheel after the brakes were applied. The clunk was the jumping at the contact point. I replaced both. The vertical tube cost around 60 since I found that it is available without the brake assemby which was fine. Buy it online and save.

I have a Whirlpool direc drive washer. I took it apart to repair a clunking sound during braking..sanded the brake drum and sanded brake shoes. Reassembled it nd found it cluncks even worse. When I took it apart I removed the spanner nut to remove tub but realize now I can just lift tub out without removing it (is that right or did I assemble it wronG). The clunking is where the nut base makes contact with the shaft. They lock together counterclockwise but turning the tub manually clockwise..it jumps and clunks. Is it supposed to be attached this way?