How to Troubleshoot & Replace Whirlpool AP3138838 / 285811 Medium Cam Agitator Repair Kit

I replaced the transmission, and the Medium Cam Agitator Repair Kit 

10 year old washer, finally gave up the ghost. Had replaced motor previously, so this time around I changed out transmission, cam agitator and water pump. Was not able to remove the drive block, too much corrsion (would have been nice but no beuno). Washer works great now, I'm very satisfied. 

Replaced clutch. Works fine now. 

Removed top agitator/auger and installed new cam, cam dogs and thrust washer. All this came with the agitator repair kit except for the white grease needed for the thust washer. I had some left over from the last time. Super easy and fast fix 

Removed agitator assembly, disassembled and replaced dogs and thrush washer. 

I have done this repair before (actually twice, once for a broken coupler, once for a slipping clutch), so was surprised when neither seemed to be bad. The only other thing I could think of that was in the drive train for the spin cycle was the basket drive, so I ordered that along with the Cam Agitator Kit as the dogs in it had obviously given up the ghost (probably had been operating without the agitator working for a while; its not one of the things you think about most of the time). The Basket Drive comes with a new clutch, so even though I had just replaced it a few months ago, I pulled the old one: lo and behold, there was a small bunch of steel wool in it, just enough to get between the plastic clutch material and the metal exterior surface. (No idea how that could have gotten in there.) Obviously, the cause of the non-spin. Replaced the clutch, and then the basket drive, and got everything back together. I always find the hardest part of working on my Whirlpool washer to be putting the cabinet back on - I have trouble getting the sides to line up with the base, but after watching Matt do it so easily on the video, I found that it really wasn't too hard and managed to get it right on my second try. The videos from Appliance Parts Pros are so great. I usually watch them a couple of times before I start and then freeze them incremently while actually doing the work so I don't forget some little piece; often those little pieces make a big difference. 

Installed agitator repair kit 

Googled Loose agitator Whirlpool washer and there was a YouTube video showing what the problem was, went online and ordered the parts which were $25 including shipping. it took all of 10 minutes to do the repair. Don't pay a repairman, check into it yourself! 

This design is quite foolish. The top part of the agitator has BUILT IN plastic teeth that engage with plastic dogs. The dogs are designed to make the top part turn in only one direction, pulling the clothes down into the real agitator. I tried replacing just the dogs last year which worked fine for a year. I determined that the teeth on the top part of the agitator were worn out. I replaced the entire top part and the dogs again. Easy job, only one long extension on a 7/16" socket required. All good now. Those teeth lasted almost 15 years so I guess I can't complain too much. 

I ordered and used the medium cam agitator repair kit. It was as easy as shown on the video.