Customer Questions and Answers for Washer Agitator Assembly by Whirlpool

Hello Ginger, and thank you for your question. During agitation, the bottom portion of the agitator (part # WP8538246 ) will oscillate back and forth in full rotations. The upper portion, however, is designed to rotate only in the clockwise direction. This is controlled by the agitator dogs (part # 80040 ), which grip and engage during clockwise motion. When the agitator moves counterclockwise, the dogs release, allowing the upper portion to stay stationary.