How To Replace A Washer Pulsator Assembly (With Video!)

Is your washing machine failing to spin, leaving your clothes drenched and dirty? You might have a faulty pulsator, a crucial yet simple-to-replace component. Dive into our DIY guide, complete with a step-by-step video tutorial just below, and learn how to restore your washer’s performance in no time.

Need a replacement washer pulsator assembly? Search below using your specific washer model number to identify the exact part needed:

Modern high efficiency washing machines tumble laundry with a cyclone of water made by a spinning component called the pulsator. If your clothes are dead in the water, don’t panic! There’s a pretty good chance this part could be to blame. For being such a vital component in your washing machine’s system, the pulsator is an incredibly easy part to fix. Don’t believe it? Check this guide, and once you’re done reading watch our video tutorial for a detailed visual reference. With some common tools and just a few minutes, you can get back to washing your clothes.

What Is A Washer Pulsator?

Pulsators, also called impellers, are found in most modern high efficiency washers, both front-loading and top-loading, in place of an agitator. The pulsator itself is a disk with a few short paddles and holes that sits at the bottom (or back) of your washer. During a wash cycle, the pulsator spins and turns, creating a cyclone effect in the water. Clothes are then cleaned by moving through the wash and rubbing against each other. The result is a wash cycle that puts less stress on your clothes.

Pulsators leave more room for more laundry in the wash and are generally gentler on your clothes. They are great for lighter and more delicate fabrics. Your laundry is less likely to stretch out, wear thin, or tear in a washer with a pulsator, though you may find on some models that your clothes are more likely to tangle up. The pulsator’s softer touch does mean that it will take longer than a more aggressive agitator to get your clothes completely clean, particularly if your laundry is heavily soiled. If you have a high efficiency appliance, be sure to look through the user guide to get the cleanest laundry the first go around.

Signs Of A Broken Pulsator

Damage to your washer’s pulsator may be as obvious as cracks or dents on the component’s surface, but breaks and other issues may not always be so plainly visible. Often, the interior of the pulsator or the splines in the central shaft can be damaged by debris slipping through the cracks – change left in pockets, for example – or through corrosion caused when too much detergent is used. On high efficiency appliances, using too much detergent can seriously damage things. To extend the life of your appliance and its components, make sure you are always using the correct amount!

If the pulsator isn’t moving, if the washer is making strange noises when it runs, or if you’re having trouble getting the washer to drain, check around the sides to see if anything is wedged in the seam. Spare change and folded up paper can get stuck in the crack between the washer and the pulsator, locking it up and stopping it from spinning. Take care when removing any debris you do find. You don’t want to damage the washer. If it’s really wedged in place, it may be easier to remove the pulsator than trying to pry whatever is stuck out.

If the seam is clear and you’re still having issues, you can also try cleaning the pulsator per your appliance’s instructions, usually with heated white vinegar. You may have to remove the pulsator to do this, so be sure to check it and the parts beneath it for signs of damage when you do. If, after cleaning, your washer still isn’t working right, it’s time to replace that pulsator.

Finding The Right Replacement Pulsator

For the most part, all pulsators look about the same, but brand-to-brand pulsators can be made of different materials, have slightly different sizes, or require different mounting hardware. For best results, you should opt for a genuine OEM part when replacing your washer’s pulsator. Purchasing a replacement part that was made by the appliance’s original manufacturer ensures a perfect fit, and when you’re dealing with something that can be as messy as a washer, that exact sizing matters.

Use your washer’s model number below to find the part you need at AppliancePartsPros.com. When you buy from us, you should get your part in just a few days, and you’ll know it’s been sourced direct from the manufacturer!

You can find the model number either in the appliance’s manual or on a label somewhere on the appliance itself. Check behind the washer door, either along the wall of the front panel or on the door itself, for a sticker that lists this information. You may also find the washer’s model number behind the kickplate or front access panel.

How To Replace A Washer Pulsator Assembly

For this guide and the video walkthrough, we replaced the pulsator on a Samsung top-loading washing machine. This is a quick and extremely straightforward job, so even if you have a different brand of appliance, you’ll find that the steps are fairly similar. If any of our steps don’t line up with your washer, consulting your appliance’s manual can help you fill in the gaps.

Tools for the Job

As long as you’ve got a standard tool kit, you probably have almost everything you need already. Here’s what you should gather up before replacing this part:

• A compatible replacement pulsator
• Flathead screwdriver
• Ratchet and long extension
• 10mm socket
• Work gloves

Before You Begin…

Safety first! To avoid electrocution, remember to disconnect your appliance from power either at the wall outlet or circuit breaker. For this job, you should also turn off the hot and cold water supply to your washing machine, and since you’ll be working on the tub, make sure the washer is fully drained and dry before beginning any work.

Replacing A Washer Pulsator Assembly

1. Access the pulsator. The pulsator is right in the bottom of your washer’s tub, so open the lid and take a look inside.
2. Remove the protective plastic cap on the center of the pulsator. This is hiding the bolt that holds the pulsator in place. You should be able to pry the cap off with a flathead screwdriver. On some other washer models, in place of a cap there may be a fabric softener dispenser. You should be able to remove this either by hand or with a screwdriver. If your washer’s pulsator is missing this cap entirely, you should replace it. Without the cap, you risk clothes catching on the bolt and tearing, or the bolt itself getting damaged more quickly.
3. Remove the mounting bolt. Use a ratchet, long extension, and socket (we needed a 10mm socket for our Samsung washer) to remove the bolt. The pulsator may want to turn as you’re using the ratchet, so steady the pulsator with one hand while you take the bolt out.
4. Use a screwdriver to lift the old pulsator out of its shaft. Once you’ve popped it out of place, you can easily remove it from the washer.
5. Set the new pulsator into the bottom of the tub. You may have to turn it to line up the splines so that it sits properly in the shaft.
6. Set the bolt back into place. Thread it by hand, and then use the ratchet and socket to tighten it down. Again, you might have to hold the pulsator to finish tightening it.
7. Snap the protective cap back into place. It has three tabs that will line up with indents on the pulsator.

Wrapping Up

That’s it! It takes no time at all to replace a damaged pulsator. The only thing left to do is restore the appliance’s power, turn the water back on, and do an empty test run to make sure everything’s working as it should. Watch for leaks, listen for unusual noises, and if it all checks out, you can get back to your laundry. Keep AppliancePartsPros.com in mind the next time you need tips, tutorials, or quality replacement parts. Our friendly staff is happy to help you fix your appliance yourself!

If you need any replacement parts for your appliances, you can enter your model number at AppliancePartsPros.com to locate and order them quickly. Most orders arrive in just two business days, and we have tons of great information in our repair help section and YouTube videos to help you troubleshoot.

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