Do-It-Yourself Story

I ordered the mounting stem repair kit and the tub bearing kit. I watched the appliance parts pros u-tube video. The first problem I encountered was that the mounting stem nut was corroded on. I could not budge it with the spanner wrench (absolutely essential, I had on hand from a previous repair) and the rubber mallet. I had to take a dremel tool with a cutoff wheel and cut a groove in the nut. Then I took a chisel and hammered it into the groove, cracking the nut. I was then able to get the nut to loosen with the spanner wrench and mallet. Everything else came apart as per the video. The bearing was in good condition but I replaced it anyway since I had everything apart. Putting everything back I ran into two problems. First, the paper washers in the tub bearing kit need to be taped to the legs with the holes lined up. This makes installation of the tub mounting bolts much easier. Second, my 1989 vintage Maytag did not have a plastic tub lid as per the video. My tub lid was metal and was held on with a circumferential rubber ring and two piece clamp. There are no marks as to how deep the lid should set in the tub. I ended up getting the lid on too deep and it rested on the top of the inner tub. The agitator would work but the inner tub would not spin. Finally, I loosened the tub lid clamp and slid the lid upwards until about one quarter inch below the top deck of the washer. Now the inner tub was free to spin as normal. I felt this should have been mentioned in the video. Overall, a successful repair and I am pleased.