Ok, I solved my own problem and thought somebody might find it useful to know what happened. So, about 25 seconds after I posted my question and didn’t receive a reply I became impatient and started trying to figure out what was going on (this is an especially impressive display of patience on my part, just ask my spouse). First, after reviewing more posted questions related to this problem (links displayed to me after I posted), I saw a couple recommendations to “soak the agitator in hot water”, I tried that and it didn’t work (and as it turns out no amount of soaking would have helped). Next I examined the cam, dogs and retainer ring closely. I noted the new cam has 4 slits at the top which seemed to be made to receive tabs from the agitator … so looking at the old cam stuck in the agitator, sure enough one slit had a white tab from the agitator and the other 3 slits had melted globs of agitator plastic. Looks like the factory agitator was made to clip the cam in place, but that wasn’t enough for the factory they decided to apply heat and melt the tabs into the cam. Before destroying the tab system to get the old cam out, I was concerned about what would hold the cam and prevent it from sliding around when the agitator was agitating, I examined the new cam and saw 4 slots that would fit over the agitator – no sliding. I also determined the bolt would hold the cam down so the tabs weren’t needed for that. Next step, get the old cam out without destroying the agitator. I used a sharp utility knife (trust me, a dull utility knife won’t work) to cut away enough of the melted plastic to eventually pull the cam out (gripping with a needle nose plier). I’m sure there is an easier way, but the utility knife worked for me. I cut the plastic that used to be the tabs off the agitator and reassembled the entire mechanism without further incident. Problem solved … in about 3 hours versus the 3 minutes depicted in the repair video … but still – problem solved. Good luck to all, be safe.

@CCarlson500 you have as much patience as my husband! My washer was purchased in 1998 (25 years ago) and am just having the agitator issue. Our tabs were melted, as described - clearly they were willing to spend the extra minute in the manufacturing process back then. Once whittled away it came apart - like a firecracker with parts flying, but it worked!