Got a washing machine drum all the way off the shaft in a basement in Albany this weekend

I was working on this old Whirlpool direct drive in a tight basement, trying to pull the outer tub assembly apart because the bearings were shot. Everything was going fine until I loosened the spin basket hub nut and the whole drum just came loose and slid off the shaft, dropping right onto my foot. I was in there for like 45 minutes trying to figure out how to get it back on properly without damaging the splines, since I had never had one come off that clean before. Ended up having to use a rubber mallet and a block of wood to tap it back into place, then I torqued everything down to spec with my inch-pound wrench. It worked out alright in the end, but I was sweating bullets for a bit wondering if I messed up the alignment. Anyone else have the drum just detach like that on an old direct drive machine or did I just get lucky with a worn spline that popped loose?

2 comments

2 Comments

oliviahenderson3d ago

Gravity just wanted to remind you who's boss, I guess. At least the rubber mallet saved the day before you had to start a new cuss word collection.

corac912d ago

Honestly I used to think they were overpriced but now I get it.