Direct drive, series 70. It appears it is leaking from the machine base (drive shaft?). Has anyone fixed using the Washer Bearing and Seal Kit Part 285203? What tools or techniques are needed to replace successfully?
Read more: Whirlpool 285203 Bearing and Seal Kit - AppliancePartsPros.com
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Thanks.
[QUOTE=brobriffin;899519]Check the tub gasket Whirlpool W10814296 Gasket - AppliancePartsPros.com which on older units is prone to wear down. Check the outer tub itself for cracks near the tub gasket as well. I would suspect this before a bearing / seal problem.[/QUOTE]
Thanks for the reply. I replace the tub gasket a few days ago and thankfully saw no cracks.
Yesterday, I also decided to replaced the upper and lower drive shaft seals. The upper one was very worn/pitted allowing the shaft to wiggle (and where I suspect water entering and travelling down to the the brake/clutch and top of transmission.
The seals are very difficult to remove, but I was able to. On the bottom, I used one side of the channel lock pliers and leveraged against another set of plier handles. On the top, I used a long thin flat blade screwdriver to knock it inward and upward.
To insert seals, I used a set of water heater element sockets to drive them in slowly (with a little 80-90 weight lubricant).
I did NOT replace the bearings as they appeared to be in very good shape (after 25 years!) and I also did not have a press or tool to extract them. I greased the bearings and shaft with a little automotive bearing grease. Here’s to another 25 years!
Thanks for the update! Whirlpool direct drive was probably the best design ever and still is… Give us an update in 25 years LOL.