[FixItFreak]

My Whirlpool $399 WTW5550SQ0 top loader was 1 year old in January. It is now April, 3 months after the warranty expired, and the transmission just blew. A service technician came today and says I need a new Gearcase AP3096209 made by WHIRLPOOL $172.77 - $285 installed.

Q 1 -How hard is it to replace the gearcase? I can order the part online at Applicance Parts Pro for $143.75. If it's just a few screws, can I do it? I have no washing machine repair experience but can follow diagrams.

Q 2 - If I can't repair it, is it worth having it repaired at this cost? I can buy a new machine for that. This machine has been a lemon from the start. I really hate to invest any more cash into it!

Thanks!
FixItFreak

[sidfink43]

Hi Fixit

This is a pretty easy job, and there is a lot of material on the internet and you tube showing you how to do this.

Before doing that however, I would ask that you post your history with this machine and describe in detail what lead you to call the service tech and what led the service tech to diagnose needing a new transmission.

The transmission on this type of machine has been around for decades, and it is very reliable. For you to need to a new one at this age is highly unusual unless you have been way overloading the machine, or transporting it without securing it properly. Let's try to make certain a new transmission is exactly what you need before you spend the money and time for one, and then find out this did not fix the problem, or that there was a contributing problem and you end up with another bad transmission.

[FixItFreak]

Hi Sidfink43,

I bought this Whirlpool at our local ABC Warehouse. It was delivered and installed by their personnel on January 9, 2008. The warranty expired January 9, 2009. I do wash for my son and I - so 2 people. Usually small to medium size loads, about every other day.

Last Saturday I was doing a medium size load and during the spin cycle heard a terrible noise coming from the laundry room. It's like metal scraping, and sounds like a flat tire somewhat. So I called for service.

I called our local appliance repair man who's been doing service for us for 20 years. He has 35 years experience in appliance repair and does Whirlpool top loaders. He was here today, took off the cabinet, and diagnosed the trouble as a bad transmission. He thought it was very bad news too.

I am heartbroken because this was a gift from my dad who just had a stroke. I'm not gonna tell him what happened. We can't afford a new machine, that's why my dad bought us this one. My son is disabled so we have to do laundry almost daily. I need to replace or repair this week.

Let me know if you need more info - thanks!

[richappy]

Your tranny nylon gear may have failed due to a high impact load like a towel in the tub. Before replacing tranny, do the coupler test found in my artical above, "replacing direct drive washer brake shoes".

[FixItFreak]

richappy, Are you saying 1 towel off center will blow a gearcase?

About a week ago, I heard a loud banging noise in the laundry room. When I came in the washer had walked away from the wall about a foot and was way off balance. I righted the load, returned the machine to its footings and it finished the cycle fine. Would this break the tranny?

[sidfink43]

Hi FixIt

Thanks for the reply. Based in what you have said I feel a lot better about the conclusion that it was your transmission that failed. I think richappy's analysis is probably correct, that a towel or something caused a jam during high spin, which eventually led to the failure.

His suggestion to inspect the coupling is a good one, and you will have to do it anyway on the way to replacing the transmission. Before you start you should read his article, then view this video,

YouTube - Direct Drive Washing Machine Repair Video Tutorial *Watch in HIGH Quality!*

and then read this article which talks about replacing the clutch, but tells you how to remove the transmission along the way and has good photos.

Clutch Replacement on Whirlpool and Kenmore Washers

After you have confirmed it is the transmission, order the parts, put the machine back together and you are set to go.

I think (hope) that this was just a freak event and that your machine will work well from here on out. On the plus side once you have done this repair you will be able to fix about anything else on the machine yourself, and have only the cost of the parts.

Good luck and let us know how it turns out.

[richappy]

I watched the Utube video and noticed he could have jammed the pump to the left against the frame, thus avoiding dumping a lot of water on the floor.
Also, after replacing the motor, I allways turn the motor clockwise a test if it is jammed or not. When putting back the outer panel, I usually have to push both sides of it inward to ensure the bottom slots engage the frame rear tabs. If they don't engage, the whole washer will not be tight and could cause vibration problems later.

[sidfink43]

Right on, very good comments.

[richappy]

For Fixitfeak;
A high impact spin load like a sock cought between the tub and basket can cause the tranny gear to break unless the coupler breaks first.

[FixItFreak]

Hi all - The appliance man hauled away the broken Whirlpool WTW5550SQ0 for the $50 I owed him in service fees.