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

Dick:

Thank you for the quick follow-up and feedback. I believe the wife plans to keep the FAV6800AWW machine, so I am currently reviewing the Outer Tub Rebild thread you provided - thank you for this reference.

Regarding the question on the upper One-Way bearing ring, if this is the yellowish/greenish ring that sits on the top, then yes, my series 16 machine has this ring on top. This is where I initially saw the heavy rust that seems to be coming from the tub seal. After soaking with a little WD-40, wiping dry, then soaking in a little PB Blaster, it now seems to rotate fine within the rest of the assembly. The metal pin on the end of the spring is broken, thus the need for a replacement. I have all of the pieces noted in your series of pictures.

So, if you purchase the 4310552, do you no longer use the upper One-Way bearing ring, or do you simply attach this to the new clutch, so that it fits like the previous one did? Sorry if this is already obvious but I'm not sure I follow the previous discussions on this. I just want to make sure that I'm not purchasing more than I need to.

Thank you, Brian