Whirlpool WP21001598 Suspension Spring OEM Part

18 year old Maytag Atlantis top load washer had a load knocking and rattle sound with excessive vibration when the tub was spinning, but not when it was agitating. They was no water leaking. I took the front panel off and carefully listened while I ran a cycle and the loud sound sounded like it was coming from the drain pump. So I took off the drive belt and noticed that it was glazed and that there was belt material on the drain pump and tub transmission pulleys. I removed the drain pump and notice right away that I rock the pulley side to side and make the type of noise that I'd heard. The pump pulley did not turn quietly and I found a ball bearing under the washer. So it had to be a worn bearing in the drain pump. Also saw a fair amount of white shavings on the base of the washer, so I decided to replace the snubber ring and the suspension springs together since the cost was not excessive. So I ordered the drain pump, a new drive belt, in addition to the springs and snubber. I took the whole tub assembly out and left in upside down for a couple days in the kitchen as I waited for the new parts from Appliance Parts Pros. They got here within a couple days. Replaced all of the aforementioned parts after viewing a couple videos produced by Appliance Parts Pros (which I had watched very early in the process as part of the problem diagnosis). I had never repaired a washer before, but the videos made me confident that I could do it. That ended up being the case. It works like a charm now and my wife is happy it works again all within a few days. The most difficult part of the process was removing and re-installing the suspension springs. I used locking pliers to do it, but it still requires a lot of force to stretch those springs. I did it, but it took a lot of energy.

For any looking into this, just know that you do not need to be a top-notch repair person or handyman in order to knock this job out. I am not and was able to get it done. With basic tools, a little bit of patience and watching the videos, most anyone can do this. First, a great big thanks to Appliance Parts Pros for the excellent instruction videos and amazingly fast delivery! We actually got our parts the day after ordering (...did not pay for overnight delivery, had more to do with our location relative to their shipping center...but their speedy order processing is what made it all happen so quick...)! Best service I can remember is a very long time! Even though the washer is older, looking at what is available on the market today (...with inflated prices and the terrible reviews, many of them often about unreliability and short lifespan...), we were hoping to get just a bit more use out of this one. Our old Maytag Atlantis washing machine had developed a sudden bad squeal and vibration. On initial external inspection we found quite a bit of light colored plastic type dust/shavings under the machine. While doing research we found what the likely issues are and came upon the Appliance Parts Pros instruction videos...super helpful. Even though the idea of totally dismantling the machine seemed like a big deal before starting...we also figured that we had nothing to loose since the machine couldn't be used as-is any longer. In the case of this Atlantis washer, once you do the repair you see that the dismantling is not as big a deal as it looks. The hardest part of this repair for me was getting the new springs attached on the back side of the washer. Unlike in the video, our model doesn't have a rear access so it required a stretch and a few tries along with more then a couple colorful expletives (...be sure to do the back or hardest to reach first...and if possible have a helper available to lean the basket to the side you are attaching the spring on..). Besides that, the repair itself was straight forward. Now, as a side note. Be sure to take a very close look at your water pump. Even though the snubber ring and springs needed to be replaced, in the end the real culprit on our machine was the water pump which we figured out after this repair. And after doing the snubber ring, the water pump replacement is super easy. Hope this helps. Save yourself some money and give this repair a try.

I removed the front of the cabinet and checked the springs to make sure all were attached. I did a quick look at the tub itself to make sure nothing was broken and noticed some fine debris beneath the tub were it rests on the cabinet bottom. Upon further investigation, I determined that the snubber ring had some wear on it so I decided to replace it and the entire spring set. I looked up and ordered the correct parts for my make and model and watched the video of a similar repair. Gathered together the tools needed and waited on the parts to arrive. Replacing the snubber ring was quick and easy but make sure you watch the video concerning the instructions about the braking mechanism spring and how to avoid issues with it. Springs are also simple but make sure you eat your Wheaties before trying to install them to the tub from the chassis! Them springs ain't no joke and most people will need two hands to stretch them out for attachment!

I followed the Appliance Parts Pro's advice videos for the Maytag MAV6451AWW Atlantis washer on replacing the snubber ring and the suspension springs. Everything went just fine except replacing the two rear most suspension springs. None of the videos illustrated REINSTALLING the REAR springs which is extremely difficult because you can't get enough leverage with your arm extended. Observing my frustration, my wife recommended taking off the back side. You can't simply take off the back, because the right and left sides and the back are one piece. LESSON LEARNED: Follow the video to remove the front, then use duct tape to secure the lid to the left and right sides, and then remove ALL the screws around the base after removing the pump, motor and all hoses including the small water level sensing hose attached to the left rear of the tub. Make sure the motor wiring harness is unhitched from the base clip. Put on gloves because the edges are sharp, and then get your wife to help lift the remainder of the frame up and off the base. This makes removing the suspension springs and replacing them a piece of cake. Doing this originally would have saved hours of frustration.

Thought it was a bad spring but found other with the same problem said it was a snubber ring. Ordered snubber ring and six springs. Replacement parts was $30.00. Replaced it myself and it works like new again.