How to Troubleshoot & Replace Whirlpool AP6013637 / WP91939 Washer Transmission Shaft Seal

In reality, this turned into a full-on rebuild project - with several parts orders, not just a simple repair. But I have to give credit: The parts listings with pictures on the AppliancePartsPros web site were really useful in figuring out what was going on inside the machine, and what parts I would need. Also: The repair videos were critical for me to be able to ensure I was reassembling everything correctly. Shout out to Simon, who was featured in several of the repair videos. His "gorgeous wooden box" and his habit of setting a part aside "where the kids won't play with it" are really humorous late at night, when I'm trying to get things back together! This was a challenging repair - largely because my washer is 25 years old. But the reputation of the Whirlpool direct drive design convinced me it was worth the effort to bring it back to life. Getting the tub nut and block apart without damage is difficult on old machines. 

Just like the one's I have worked on for 30 years for Whirlpool. 

Originally bought an off brand clutch from another site. Not sure if it was a bad part or bad install. It started leaking water a few months later and making a scratching noise. This time I ordered original parts from appliance parts pros: clutch and shaft/tub seals. The "how to" videos were extremely helpful. Now it runs quiet and dry. P.S. I tried using channel locks to remove the tub nut but ended up having to get the proper spanner wrench. 

Watched your great videos for transmission seal replacement and tub bearing replacement. We love this washer, bought in 2000, and I basically had to rebuild it. All new springs, skid plate sliders, changed the oil in gearcase, put in new agitator dogs, and a motor drive bushing. But I could not get the old bearings hammered out of the tub centerpost. I pulled out the inner tub and outer tub, pressure washed the old soap stains and grease out. Had a sledge hammer and penetrating oil. Finally damaged the tub center post, and ordered a new one. The 20-year old bearings would not budge before the welds broke under the hammer. APP had a new one to me the next day. My advice, don’t try to push out the bearings. The new post comes with all the new bearings already pressed into place, the top gasket comes too, in a separate baggy, but their sales team did not know this, I was told that I needed to buy the bearings with the center post. But they take returns up to a year later. No big deal. Now the machine is running, not leaking and our laundry is cleaner. But it took a week, working 3-4 hours a day including the pressure washing and trying to pound out the old bearings. 

We initially thought the issue was the gasket at the base of the tub, but that ended up being okay. We replaced it just in case. In order to even get the agitator off, we had to drill through the agitator bolt. The thing had completely rusted through. inside that basket drive rod we could see that the seals were in poor shape, and the liquid sprayed at the top of the shaft was getting through. We assume this was how the water was getting dirty. We replaced both shaft seals (which meant also replacing the oil in the transmission), the upper transmission shaft seal, the tub gasket (just in case), and the agitator bolt we had to drill through. I recommend buying several of the shaft seals and upper transmission shaft seals- the fit is tight and they're very easy to damage. Double-check the shaft before you try to put them in too- our shaft had some damage and the gouges inside the shaft were keeping the seals from seating properly. We were able to use a razor blade to scrap it clean enough to go in. 

Replaced the transmission shaft seals. 

Replaced the centerpost gasket and the two seals in the drive shaft. 

Its been a while. The ABSOLUTE and most difficult part of the repair - for me- was the disassembly. VERY time consuming, and as such rather than be pressured to wait for parts and speed reassemble I ordered a new machine. At this point I considered repairing the machine was still a worth while endeavor. Using your parts and videos reassembly went timely and well. Except, I had removed the back panel to make storage easier. Since the panel was removed I decided to place the tub upside down to use gravity to install the gearbox and motor. All went well. I turn it back up and out falls a 2" clevis pin. I wasn't going to finish assembly not knowing where it came and what to do with it. Researching parts & operator manuals yielded nothing and neither did numerous videos. Finally, I found a 10+ year old comment that told me it was for shipping only! Now I have a good spare, should family or friends need one. THANKS 

It needed a new drive coupler between the motor and the gearbox. I also replaced a clutch and some other common wear parts.