The way to Fix a Bad Clutch on a Washer That isn't Turning
If your direct drive washer is running but no more spins or agitates, odds are your clutch is also worn and weak. You must replace the whole clutch to get your washer working correctly again. This may sound like a complex repair, but in the event that you’re able to use a socket wrench, screwdriver and a pair of pliers, you can complete this task without the help of a professional repairman.
Switch off the washer’s water supply valves and unplug it from the wall socket. Slide the washer from the wall to make it to the drain water and hose hoses on the rear of the washer.
Disconnect the supply seams and loosen the hose clamp on the drain hose. Set the hoses at a bucket to capture any water. Move the washer to a bigger work area.
Open the lid on the washer to access the agitator. Pull on the lock ring around the bottom of the fabric softener dispenser to eliminate it, if applicable.
Insert a flat blade screwdriver under the agitator cap to pry it in the top of the agitator. Look within the agitator to get a dust cap. Catch the dust cap with your hand or pliers and pull it in the agitator, if applicable.
Attach a 7/16-inch socket to your socket extension. Connect the extension to your socket wrench. Use the socket to remove the agitator.
Spread an old blanket on the ground behind the washer. Gently lower the rear of the washer onto the blanket, and that means you are able to access the washer motor and pump.
Find the pump on the front of the motor. Slide a flat blade screwdriver under the clips holding the pump to the engine. Lift up on the screwdriver blade to unsnap the clips in the pump. Pull off the pump the washer motor.
Catch the cable tap on the side of the washer motor. Wriggle the cable harness in the engine. Pull the harness wires in the plastic ball on the side of the equipment casing under the engine, if applicable.
Remove the 7/16-inch socket in the socket wrench and replace it with a 1/2-inch socket. Remove the bolts in the equipment casing under the motor to publish the motor and housing in the washer.
Grasp the equipment and motor housing with your hands and pull it in the washer to expose the brake cam and the C-clip securing it on the washer. Insert the flat head screwdriver between the C-clip along with the round opening at the center of the brake cam. Pry the C-clip in the brake cam and pull on the brake cam off the washer. Insert the new brake cam in the clutch assembly replacement kit onto the washer and use the newest C-clip to fasten it.
Move the motor and housing on an old towel with the agitator shaft facing upward toward the ceiling. Catch the thrush washer at the bottom of the agitator shaft. Slide the thrush washer up and off the shaft to expose the clutch support ring.
Pull the clutch support ring in the shaft with needle nose pliers to expose the clutch retainer ring. Insert the flat head screwdriver between the retainer ring and clutch. Pop the ring in the washer clutch to release it and slide it in the agitator shaft.
Locate the isolator ring that came with your new clutch assembly. It looks like a nylon ring with four tabs on the exterior. Insert the isolator ring to the rear of the new clutch. It snaps into the middle hole on the new clutch.
Slide the new clutch down the agitator shaft until it sits against the equipment housing. Snap on the new retainer ring to the clutch to carry it to the equipment housing.
Replace the hold retainer ring around the agitator shaft over the retainer ring. Slide the original thrush washer down the shaft until it break on the support ring.
Slide the agitator shaft back into the washer under the equipment motor and housing to sit down against the bottom of the washer. You may need to adjust the motor and housing to the left or right until it sits flush.
Replace the bolts at the equipment housing. Reconnect the pump and carefully lift the washer back to its upright position. Reverse the remaining disassembly steps to reassemble the washer. Reconnect the washer to the water supply, electricity and drain.