How to Troubleshoot & Replace Whirlpool AP6009843 / WP6-2011900 Brake Assembly

After watching some of Appliance Parts Pro's. video's, and some on line research, I determined my problem might be the brake assembly. While there, I changed the motor mount roller and spring kit, the brake assembly; both bearings, and both belts. The how-to video's are invaluable, and the job took me about one hour to do. I spent more time hunting tools, and cleaning the work area, than the actual Repair and Replace took. Since the special Spanner Wrench is no longer sold, I used a Vice Grip Chain Wrench, and had my son help me hold it in place, to hit it with a mallet, to loosen it. AppliancePartsPros.com took my order on a Wednesday afternoon, at 2:30 PM, and the parts were in my hand, before 10:30, the next morning. Fastest parts shipping I've ever experienced! When the job was complete, we washed clothes, and noticed the machine was smoother, and more quiet. Spin Cycle was flawless. As a new machine is more than a base price of $500.00, and quickly become $1,200.00; I decided to order the Upper Tub Bearing, and Mounting Stem Kits, and R&R them both, as well. Other than the bullet proof transmission, on this unit, I have a totally rebuilt Washing Machine, for less than $400.00, and less than 4 hours of labor. Thank you Appliance Parts Pros!!! 

I went to appliancepartspros.com, searched for my make and model, and spoke to a professional at appliancepartspros.com. They suggested that it could be the brake or maybe the transmission or maybe the tub bearing. I watched a number of videos on YouTube. I figured it was the brake. The hardest part about the repair was getting access to the washer. It is a stacked Maytag unit and is in an area that is very tight. The repair was really straightforward. And to my delight the washer is running perfectly again. One part I needed was out of stock. This part was the tool to remove the brake so I had to order that elsewhere. But I am super super happy that my washer is working again and I get to keep my quality 2 belt Maytag rather than buy a new more expensive lower quality replacement washer dryer stackable unit As an overview, I followed a how to video on YouTube. Of course the water is disconnected the washer is unplugged, and the drain was removed. I tipped the washer back, removed the two belts, removed a screw, washer, and a key, unscrewed the flywheel, took off a locking bolt, unscrewed the old brake. I put on the new bearing and installed the new brake, installed the locking bolt, installed the flywheel and flywheel bearing, put in the key and screw, installed the 2 belts, and I tested it. Works GREAT!! See other instructions for important details . 

Changed bearings and brake assembly. 

A box of quality parts, Saturday morning, cup of coffee and some good YouTube videos. And we have a 30-year-old washer running like new again. Just a good day. 

Replaced belts and brake/clutch assembly. 

I ordered the recommended parts as per the trouble shooting list and used the instructions from the video. The instructional videos are great , thank you for making them. The special break removal tool recommended in the video is no longer available and a tool is definetly required to remove the assembly. I was fortunate to have a big ajustable metal wrench to remove my cartrides in my RO system, which I could use. Regardless it was quite difficult to remove the break assembly and the new one could not be screwed in by hand as shown on the video. I did put everything together but forgot to change the damper pads so I had to redo the work a second time. The whole process took several hours, but now the machine is working great. Saved me from having to by a new one 

I changed basket seals and bearing and belts. I had to use penetrating oil and a heat gun to get the sleave off the transmission shaft. Make sure you wear mechanics gloves when removing panels and tub and basket. I used a little gasket cement to hold the blue fiber washers onto the tub supports. When I ran in the seals there was a little noise and hot rubber smell but I did two loads of laundry and all went well. The agitator seemed to move better and the spin cycle remove much more water than in the recent past. My clothes dried in about half the time. 

Replaced brake assembly plus the two bearing while I had it apart. 

Replaced the same brake unit on this machine, on 01/29/2000 and since the transmission was easily counted as it spun around, I figured it was binding on the brake unit, slowing it down. Since I don't own the tool, I've had to rely on an extra fender washer between the pulley and brake to compensate for the added 1/4 degree turn. After I put it all back together, and made sure to put the key lock washer in place at a 1/2 inch from the pulley nut (watch Youtube for this), it was fine. Belts were in good shape too. I tipped the machine over this time, instead of doing it all from underneath, and found that inside the back panel, (remove the 2 inner, not outer screws) there is an anti-tip switch in the center, that needs to be pushed down to reset the machine. Everything worked right after, and clothes are now mostly dry again. 

Was not sure of the basic problem so replaced clutch/brake assembly and tub bearing. Clutch tool is no longer available so had to gently hammer for a half hour with a drift pin, just keep working your way around. Old tub bearing was frozen/corroded to tranny housing, had to carefully dremel grooves in each sleeve and eventually was able to insert screwdriver into groove and twist to split sleeve and remove. Sleeves may be stuck only at top end where water enters so try just grooving that end to reduce chance of dremeling into the next layer. Tub bearing kit includes split washers and fiber spacers for bolts holding outer tub to support legs, exploded view for this part shows them lined up under drive shaft, very misleading. Video shows tech turning bolt head from inside of outer tub and holding nut stationary, which can damage gasket under bolt head, and kit does not include new gasket. You should hold bolt stationary and turn nut on outside.