How to Troubleshoot & Replace Whirlpool AP6008839 / WP389386 Agitator Assembly

I ordered the part and it took 4 hour to remove certain parts in order to reconnect, splice wires and screw the lid switch under the front cover of the washing machine. After all was said and done, it works like new. 

Ordered the lower agitator, cam kit and replacement bolt... 

Replaced agitator 

The bottom agitator threads were worn, so I replaced it. Working great now. 

The agitator refused to move, the grooves were stripped bare inside the plastic tube...again. the bolt kept coming out which loosens everything and then it all flies apart thanks to centrifugal force and, in flying, strips that internal cone shape. I thought it must be the metal part connecting to the motor that was bad and stripped as it only clung a smidge when screw put in place, but low on funds for a new motor, I went for the cheap convenient and prioritized necessity of the bottom need and splurged on the new screw. I wish I had ordered the screw the first time! This is the 3rd time I've ordered the agitator part, which is always arriving timely-excellent service!-, good quality. It's the screw coming off that messes up everything. The screw they sent is only 1/4" longer than the factory original but makes all the difference! it went in right away! fully tight! SO NICE IT WAS FIXED RIGHT WITH THE RIGHT SCREW!!! The factory screw was basically designed too short so fail! I AM SOOOOOO HAPPY! Clean clothes again! This place is the best! XD 

Replaced cam agitator, auger agitator, thrust washer and agitator. 

Went to appliancepartspros.com, entered model#, selected "symptoms", got a list of potential problem parts. Ordered parts, viewed repair video, replaced parts... ez-pz. the only place I'll ever buy repair parts! 

I simply unbolted the 7/16 bolt that's under the fabric softener dispenser and pulled the agitator off the shaft. This time the agitator was so stripped it pulled right off the shaft. I've done this before and at times you really have to work to get the agitator off the shaft. Then I simply snapped off the top auger, lined it up in the slots on the new agitator, pressed the new agitator onto the splined shaft, installed the new bolt and tightened it. I suggest that after a couple of loads you recheck the tightness of the bolt, and then recheck it periodically thereafter. If it loosens too much and you don't catch it, you will strip out the agitator. I did notice that the new bolt supplied by Appliance Parts Pro had Loctite already on the bolt. Great quality parts!