[bkt2222]

I have a Whirlpool Cabrio washer M# 5640XW2 that a year old, we noticed last week that it started making a loud grinding noise when it starts the spin cycle. I am pretty mechanically inclined and upon inspection it appears the noise is coming from above the drive pulley. According to a parts chematic I found there are some plastic gears that the pullet drives? I would really like to see a repair manual to show how to disasseble this section or any advise you have would be great. Thanks in advance for the help

[fairbank56]

The plastic drive is known as a splutch (splined clutch). One problem with these washers has been loosening of the nut that locks the pulley to the agitator input shaft. If it gets loose, the pulley drops and the teeth no longer have good contact with the teeth of the splutch basket drive gear in spin mode. The solution is application of blue locktite to the threads of the input shaft. There have also been a lot of failures of the actuator that operates the cam ring of the splutch which raises and lowers the basket drive gear. It is raised for agitate mode and lowered for spin. There is a spring between the basket drive gear and the gearcase housing that maintains pressure on the basket drive gear. There are cams on the cam ring that ride up and down on cams in the splutch cam (housing) as it is rotated by the actuator thus raising and lowering the basket drive gear. The gearcase has a planetary gear set in it.

Eric

[bkt2222]

Thanks Eric, should I first try taking the nut off and inspecting the gears? Are they accessible without removing anything other than the nut and pulley? It doesn't always make the sound, but most of the time it does and then the gears seem to engage and it starts spinning. I've seen the gear kit for about $20 or so. Can this be replaced by laying washer on its side?

[fairbank56]

Originally Posted by bkt2222

I've seen the gear kit for about $20 or so. Can this be replaced by laying washer on its side?

I think you may be referring to the basket drive hub? This is another problem area for this washer and may also be the cause of your grinding noise. You must remove the agitator and wash plate if it has one to access the drive hub.

Eric

[bkt2222]

Eric,

I was refering to the splutch assembly that you sent a picture of, can all of this be accessed from the bottom of the washer?

[fairbank56]

Yes, there is a cover over the belt/pulleys that must be removed first. Then you can take the belt and drive pulley off to inspect the splutch.

Eric

[bkt2222]

Thanks, I'm fixing to check that now and will let you know what I find, thanks

[bkt2222]

The nut was loose, I inspected the gears and they are all still good, thanks for the help