I have a 10 or so year old top load Whirlpool washer. Replaced the coupler about 5 years ago and then replaced it 6 months ago. This week, I had a load of towels in it and after the cycle I saw the load had not spun. Wrung everything out and ordered another coupler. Just replaced it and washer seems to be working again. Old coupler had cracked and rubber had split.

I put the machine on spin and it spun up fine but I noticed when I lifted the lid the tub would almost slam to an immediate halt. I seem to remember the tub would slowly rotate to a halt when opening the lid in the past.

Is this normal? I'm wondering if this is why I've replaced the second coupler in 6 months? Or is it perhaps a safety feature to stop people sticking hands into rotating tubs when they open the lid?

With the new coupler the washer seems to be working ok. Ran through a couple of loads today.

Thanks!

Eric,
Thank you for the reply. Is putting silglyde on a brake surface a normal thing? Seems like you would kill the brake and it seems counter-intuitive to what you would want to do to a brake surface.

Is there normally a lubricant on the brakes that has worn off? Why is the machine doing this?

Sorry for all the questions but I'm just trying to understand what is going on.

I was actually wrong on the make, must be the whirlpool couplers. It's actually a Kenmore Series 80 but pretty much the same I beleive.

So, it seems as if the brakes are working too well like there is too much friction? Could it be rust on the brake drum maybe?

How long would a singlyde fix last? Researching it I would need to get an agitator spanner wrench at about $12 on ******** and then some thing to fix the brakes. I see there is an entire assembly for around $50 that has brakes already on a shaft. See this link. http://www.********.com/itm/285...&hash=item58a2b30ae4

Is this the way to go or can I replace just brake parts? If so what would I need? Is this something a backyard mechanic can handle? I watched one video and the guy mentioned you can have a lot of trouble getting the tub off.

Or, do you think I'm at the point where a new machine is on the horizon?

Thanks!

Thanks Eric.

The model number is 110.16882500

So sounds like Sil-glyde is the way to go.

Yes the drum seems to spin fine and like you describe, stops hard when the lid is opened.

When you say I'm asking for trouble do you mean all the work of tearing it down and the possiblity of something not coming apart, breaking or worse, not being able to get it back together?

Thanks for the heads up on parts. I guess just like car parts a lot of the cheap parts are import knockoffs with dubious materials and tolerances.

So, would you have a rough guess what a repair such as this would cost using genuine whirlpool parts?

I just wanted to make clear I wasn't questioning anyone's advice or wisdom. Like I said, to my automotive only experience, it seems counter-intuitive to lube up any brake system!

Thanks again!
Rick

I am confused about where the sil-glyde goes. Is there a more detailed image so I don't mess this up? My washer has been jerking bad since I replaced the coupler. My parents gave it to me and it had been in storage for a few years. Thanks in advance!