Monthly Archives: February 2009

Intrepid Apprentice Conquers a Whirlpool / Kenmore Direct Drive Washer with a Lazy Spin

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If you’ve been too intimidated to repair your own appliances, come read this exciting saga of how Tampa Patty replaced the clutch in her washing machine. Tampa Patty is a stouthearted Apprentice in the Samurai Appliance Repair Forum. She had never repaired her washer before and didn’t even know how to take it apart. But by reading the many pearls of Appliantology here at Fixitnow.com and getting a little help from her friends in the Laundry Forum, she replaced the clutch in her lazy-spinning Kenmore washer and fixed it! Her triumph over the forces of Entropy should inspire you to gird up your loins and engage the battle with your own appliances.

To help others along The Way, Tampa Patty made this talisman to summon the gods of Appliantology and assist you. May your hammer be mighty!


Apprentice Tampa Patty has demonstrated patience, perseverance, manual ability, and courage that is exemplary to other Apprentices. To recognize her achievement, the Samurai is pleased to present to Tampa Patty the coveted Samurai School of Appliantology Apprentice of Distinction Award.

apprentice-distinction-tampa-patty.jpg

You can do it, too! First, join the repair forum. Then become an Apprentice and you’ll be able to fully participate in the colossus of all thing appliantological, the Samurai Appliance Repair Forums.

OK, let us conclude this sermon with a mystical Haiku of Appliantology. For best results, this haiku, like all Haikus of Appliantology, should be read under soft lighting and while burning incense. Let the words penetrate your inner being and you will soon experience the profound peace of appliance satori.

Lethargic washer
refused to spin without help.
Replaced burned out clutch.

Now Playing: The All-New Screencast of How to Get Started in the Samurai Appliance Repair Forums

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Now playing on a monitor near you, the Director’s Cut edition of our award-winning screencast, “Getting Started in the Samurai Appliance Repair Forums.” With completely new footage all shot on location here at Samurai International Headquarters, you don’t want to miss it. And it’s “now playing” all the time! Watch the thrilling escapades of Pointy the Happy Mouse Arrow in his adventures in Samurai Land. You’ll gasp in amazement as he clicks the link to register! You’ll swoon when you see him navigate the forum with the effortless grace of a gazelle! And your heart will swell with pride when he becomes an Apprentice Appliantologist and learns to start new topics in the repair forum!

Yet Another Reason to Avoid GE Appliances: Ripoff Parts Prices

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Let’s list some of the reasons to avoid GE appliances:

But, let’s not pick nits. Here’s yet another reason to avoid GE appliances: ripoff pricing for replacement parts.

Here’s a good example. The coils on the gas valve are a common part to replace on any gas dryer. The coils are the same regardless of brand and, in most cases, are inexpensive. The exception, of course, is GE. Compare the difference in price: the gas valve coils in a GE bag retail for almost $70 whereas the same, exact coils sold by Whirlpool retail for around $20!

See, when you buy a GE appliance, the purchase is just the beginning of the milking that you’re in for.

GE milking its customers

Diagnosing a No-Spin Problem on a Maytag Performa or Atlantis Top-Loading Washing Machine

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So, you have a Maytag Performa or Atlantis washer that agitates the clothes fine, but just won’t spin. Ahh, Grasshoppah, strap yourself in and prepare to receive Total Appliance Enlightenment®.

First step in diagnosing this problem is to… oh, nevermind– I’ll just let Sublime Master Trying to Help explain:

Make sure belt is fine as well as pump spinning free and motor pivoting on it’s plate freely. After that, raise top like you are going to remove the tub cover and set unit into spin. With the motor running, and the tub just sitting there not spinning reach in and see if you can rotate the inner basket almost like a roulette wheel. If you can, that means your brake is released and your belt, motor, pump, brake and bearings are all fine, your trans is shot. If you can not, that means your brake is still holding or you have an article of clothing stuck between the tubs. If the brake is holding, you will just need a thrust bearing kit which is listed below.

http://www.repairclinic.com/referral.asp?R=154&N=1042142

To learn more about your washing machine, or to order parts, click here.