Thanks for doing this. Can you post your e mail address so folks can get the information from you.

We are seeing more and more of the Neptune bearing failures (I had two this week) so this is very timely.

Thanks again.

a few things about the frequently mentioned tony tool........

it's a quality crafted piece of equipment that's a definite value for those repair novices. it will streamline the process, make it safer, prevent damaging the outer tub and remove much of the anxiety homeowners may have.

however, it's NOT a required, must have tool. there are other methods available that will go a long way in keeping expenses to a minimum - other than the cost of parts. the bearing seating tool in my first post can be assembled for approx $10 & a cheap bearing puller can be had for $25 or less. a puller is optionable but without it you'll need to commit more time & patience to bearing removal. i prefer using a 3-5lb mini sledge & heavy pipe or drift. make contact with the outer ring/race of the bearing. careful not to gouge the relatively soft aluminum housing. don't use a short piece of pipe that will guarantee you hitting/cracking the outer tub should you have a mis-directed swing of the sledge.

other than my time, price of seal kit & bearings, my additional cost for seating tool, jb weld & rotary wire brush...about $20....making the entire repair less than $80.

in the world of bearings i'd rate this a '2' on a scale of 1 to 10, and that's only because of the spacer that resides between the two bearings - needs to be centered so the spindle shaft can be inserted. of course, if you've never laid eyes on a bearing and/or never been inside a major appliance then i understand rating this a 10 on the difficulty scale.

..........and that's where the cost of the tony tool is completely justified and represents a good value.

here's a few more pics.............

crystal

the tutorial has been revised; pics added, more details & the aboutthistutorial.txt file has been redone with more details concerning the repair process. a megaupload link has been added to the first post for direct download. ty.

Thank you so much for your work. I am in the middle of a bearing replacement and this thread is quite helpful. I have a couple questions for you:
The pvc adapters you used for the bearing tool, I know you said they are 2" fem adap w/cap and a 2x1/2" bushing,... did you have to modify the pvc fittings? I imagine you had to at least drill a hole in the cap. Thanks again for your work!
B

ps. re: Tony Tool. It is one thing to mention the quality of a tool, (the tony tool certainly seems like a well-crafted instrument) but to be considered a value at the outrageous price of $450 (I think, maybe more with s&h) when a replacement tub with bearings installed is $500 I think is much too kind. If I were a serviceman using the tool a few times a week or even a month is one thing, but joe-homeowner looking to save money on a big repair like this(that's me) is SOL... until now! Thanks again for the advice on making the tool.
Peace

I would love to see photos of how the spacer is placed between the bearing and the seal. My machine is the MAH5500BWW. I somehow left out the spacer during reassembly because the instruction sheet that came with the bearing kit was so vague. When I pulled all of the old parts out there was a spacer in with the "residue" (you should have seen what was left of the bearings and the seal!). Any help would be much appreciated!