Whirlpool Washing Machine Gearcase Hub Replacement

WhirlpoolWhirlpool Washing MachineModerate⏱ 2 - 3 hours

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If the washer won’t agitate, won’t spin out water, grinds during agitation, or errors out during spin (such as F7E1 or F0E2), a stripped plastic hub under the wash plate is a common cause. This guide shows how to confirm the hub is the issue and replace it with an all-metal hub (also called a drive hub, mounting hub, or drum hub) for a longer-lasting repair on Whirlpool-style top-load washers with an electronic control dial and indicator lights.

🧰 Tools

Work Gloves
Putty Knife
7/16 inch socket wrench
Precision Needle-nose Pliers
Phillips #2 Screwdriver
Spanner nut wrench
Large socket
Heat Gun
Medium-strength threadlocker
Washer cleaning solution
Rotary Tool
Mallet
Quarter Inch Nut Driver

⚙️ Parts

All-metal wash hub kit

ШагиSteps

Prepare for the repair

Unplug the washing machine before starting.
Wear work gloves to protect your hands from sharp edges and grime inside the tub.
Gather a mallet, a 1/4-inch hex driver, a Phillips screwdriver, a flat pry tool, a 7/16-inch socket wrench, needle-nose pliers, and a spanner nut wrench.
Keep towels or washcloths nearby to block the tub holes so screws cannot fall into the machine.

Confirm the hub is the problem

Spin the wash plate by hand to check for looseness.
If the wash plate turns without the drum spinning with it, and it feels loose and floppy, the hub under the plate is likely stripped.
Confirm the shift actuator can shift between agitate and spin modes before replacing parts.
Some washers may fail out during spin with codes like F7E1 or F0E2 when the drive system can’t move properly, so rule out shifting problems before focusing only on the hub.

Remove the wash plate cap and bolt

Use a putty knife or a flathead screwdriver to pry off the pulsator cap from the center of the wash plate.
Use a 7/16-inch socket wrench to remove the wash plate bolt by turning it counterclockwise.
Hold the wash plate with your free hand if the wash plate or gearcase tries to turn while you loosen the bolt.

Loosen a stuck wash plate

Lift the wash plate straight up and off the shaft.
If the wash plate is stuck, follow our stuck wash plate guide for more detailed removal steps.
One option is to add washer cleaning solution to the tub, fill it with hot water in manual mode, and let the wash plate soak for about 30 minutes.
Another option is to run a manual agitation test with the wash plate bolt removed and the tub mostly filled with water to help work the plate loose.
Keep hands, hair, and loose clothing away from moving parts during any test mode.

Remove the hub retaining pin and protect the tub holes

Inspect the plastic hub under the wash plate.
Use needle-nose pliers to pull out the U-pin that locks the hub in place.
Stuff towels or washcloths into the tub holes around the hub to catch dropped screws.

Remove the old plastic hub

Use a 1/4-inch hex driver to remove the six long screws securing the hub to the tub.
Look carefully for the screw hidden under the area where the U-pin was installed.
Pull the hub straight up and out after all screws are removed.
Use pliers for extra grip, or pry carefully from underneath with a flat screwdriver if the hub is stuck.
Remove the towels from the tub once the hub is out.

Inspect and clean the gearcase splines

Inspect the gearcase splines for damage where the hub rides.
Clean the splines using a rotary tool, a wire brush, or a drill with a wire pad to remove buildup and improve the fit.
Don’t gouge the splines, and keep debris out of the tub and drain openings as much as possible.

Install the drive block

Line up the metal drive block with the gearcase splines and press it down onto the shaft.
Verify the top teeth of the drive block sit flush against the gearcase block.
Use a large socket and a plastic hammer or mallet to gently tap the drive block down if it won’t fully seat by hand.

Install the metal hub and screws

Set the metal hub onto the tub and align it with the screw holes in the tub.
Lift up on the tub while positioning the hub so the screws thread in cleanly without stripping the tub.
Don’t use the screws to pull the tub upward, and only use them to secure the hub to the tub.
Cover the tub holes with towels again before starting the screws.
Start the first screw with a Phillips screwdriver and leave it loose so you can reposition the hub if needed.
Start a second screw directly opposite the first, then start the remaining four screws.
Tighten all six screws until secure, but don’t overtighten them or strip the tub.

Install and tighten the tub nut

Apply medium-strength threadlocker to the tub nut threads before installation.
Allow about 24 hours for the threadlocker to cure at room temperature, or speed curing with gentle heat if the product instructions allow it.
Thread the tub nut on, then use the spanner nut wrench to tighten it firmly by hand.
Strike the spanner nut wrench with a mallet to tighten the nut about three quarters of a turn more.
Do not go much farther than that or you can overtighten and strip the nut.

Reinstall the wash plate

Drop the wash plate back into place once its splines are lined up with the gearcase splines.
Apply medium-strength threadlocker to the wash plate bolt.
Drip the threadlocker vertically onto the bolt to avoid making a mess.
Use the socket wrench to tighten the wash plate bolt, then press the pulsator cap back into place.

Let the threadlocker cure and recalibrate the washer

Let the threadlocker cure before putting the washer back into normal service.
Unplug the washer for 30 seconds, then plug it back in.
Rotate the dial 360 degrees to the 12 o’clock position.
Turn the dial right three clicks, left one click, and right one click, using about half a second between clicks.
Turn the dial right four clicks to select recalibration, then press Start.

Run a quick cycle to confirm the washer agitates and spins normally, and recheck for looseness between the wash plate and drum. If the washer still won’t shift between agitation and spin, or keeps failing out with the same symptoms, troubleshoot the shift actuator and the condition of the gearcase splines before replacing additional parts. Repair didn't go as planned? Ask our Answers community for help.

«Whirlpool Washing Machine Gearcase Hub Replacement» — автор Ben Schlichter, iFixit, лицензия CC BY-NC-SA 3.0. Показано без изменений. Открыть оригинал и комментарии →