How to Troubleshoot & Replace Whirlpool AP4009041 / 12001788 Belt And Isolator Kit

Disassembly of washer to the point of removing the inner tub is fairly straightforward. You will need access to front and back of the machine for this repair. Having enough room to work on the machine may be an issue as stacked combo units tend to be used in space-constrained apartments or condos. Removing the old bearings is the challenging part of this job. Most online videos say you can "tap" the old bearings out with a hammer and rod. If your washer is old with failing bearings they will likely be rust/seized in place. Only way they are coming out is with a threaded bearing puller. Once bearings are out, plan on spending time cleaning the tub, front tub cover and the bearing seating surfaces. Pressing the new bearings in is fairly easy once everything is cleaned up if you use a bearing press. Only pain is the center spacer tube. If you press the bearings in too far, center spacer tube can damage the bearings if not aligned correctly. Recommend pressing rear bearing first and retaining with the snap ring. Then press the front bearing until the spacer tube is just snug. If bearings do not turn freely after installation, you likely pressed them in too far and the spacer tube is being pinched and putting too much preload on the bearings. Font bearing seal is easy after bearings installed. Reassembly is not too bad. It helps to have a 2nd person look through the back bearing to help align the inner tub shaft so you don't tear up the new seal. I also replaced the tub drive belt proactively since I had the machine apart to this degree.. If I did this for a living, I would invest in buying or fabricating a specialized bearing puller/press. Since I am a home-gamer and have done this twice in 20yrs I probably spent more time cobbling together a bearing puller and press from an assortment of threaded rods, bolts, etc than necessary. Since the stacked washer/dryer combo is a pain to move, while you have the machine out for repair, it is a good time to chase your dryer vent and check/replace water hoses, etc. 

Checked the circuit board to see if R11 was burnt and it was. They told me if the wax motor had a brown tip that I would have to replace the Machine control circuit board as well as the Wax motor. I ordered the new parts put them in and it worked. 

I ORDERED A NEW BELT AN BUSHINGS FROM APPLIANCE PARTS PROS. I WATCHED THEIR VIDEO ON HOW TO INSTALL A NEW BELT. THAT IS WHAT I REALLY LIKE ABOUT THEIR WEB SITE. YOU GET YOUR YOUR PARTS AN INSTRUCTION BY VIDEO ALL AT ONE PLACE. MY WIFE MADE ME CLEAN UP BEHIND THE WASHER AN DRIER WHICH TOOK ME ABOUT 1 1/2 HRS. TO INSTALL THE PARTS ABOUT 1/2 HR. THANKS APPLIANCE PARTS PROS. 

Basically rebuilt the washer from the ground up. Spent more money than a new washer but we have been so happy with the way this machine has worked over the last 19 years figured it would be money well spent. 

Replaced belt 

This was on a Maytag Neptune mah5500bww model. I watched the short video and the repair was done in less than an hour. It's a vary simple repair with minimal amount of tools. Narrowing down the problem using the washers code system took about the same amount in time. I had already used an ohm meter on the motor windings and knew where the problem was. At that point I removed the motor control panel ( bottom front of unit ) and on inspection found a blown fuse, and a couple of resisters . No fixing this. I found the parts package with Appliance Pros at a very reasonable price. Also bought a new drum belt, which I didn't use , as the old one looked like new. On the shelf it went for now. I spent less than $ 300 and the unit is good as new and quieter. Best of all, my lovely wife is happy and I am the envy of her aerobics class. Thank you . PS: The part came within 2 days. Outstanding! 

We replaced the door lock wax motor, the control board, a new belt as the machine was 20 years old. 

I noticed my 20yr old Neptune’s belt slipping a little more than usual the other day. I ordered a new belt and it came within a couple of days with motor isolators included. Though I didn’t see the need to replace the isolators too, I did anyways (along with the belt). I watched the repair video on this website and did the job myself. Took all of maybe 30 mins. Now I am floored at how much better the machine is running! It doesn’t slam or bang up to speed on spin. It washes exceptionally well again and is even quieter than it was before. 

Opened up the back and found burnt rubber inside the compartment, and a stretched belt. Went to local parts store but the belt they gave me was too small and not same part number. Went on line and ordered the right one. It came the next day. One note of caution. The isolators were easy to replace after removing the motor. But lining up the motor studs in the holes, to reinstall it, is not easy. Motor is heavy and alignment has to be just so. The belt did not fix the drain problem, but I now had the back off and decided to check the drain pump. Easy to remove and disassemble. Found foreign objects had jammed impeller. Removed them, reinstalled the pump, and bingo the machine cycles again and drains. 

I replaced the drain pump and replaced the bearings and seals in the tub.