MAV8551AWQ Maytag Washer - Instructions

Turned off the water supply. Removed clothing and bailed out water fro tub. Removed back access panel. Turned washer over to access the bottom and removed drive belt by turning the large pulley attached the drum while pulling the belt over the pulley. Next remove the two hoses attached to the pump, remove the screws holding the pump on and remove the pump. Replace the pump by reversing the procedure, as for replacing the drive belt, place the belt on the motor and pump first and start it on the larger pulley and hold it on while you turn the pulley, it will pull the motor adjustment as you turn and when fully in the pulley it will be properly adjusted. Then replace the access panel, turn the washer upright, push back in place, turn on the water supply and replace the drain hose. Back in business. For me, while I was waiting for the new pump to arrive, I took the time to remove the agitator and tub and give it a good cleaning inside and out, but that's me.

I couldn't figure out how to open the machine to take out the old unit. I finally resorted to the internet, and found a good UTube video which showed how to use a putty knife to release a couple springs that allowed the top of the washer to raise up. The rest was easy. If you're a do-it-yourselfer, and get stuck, consider a UTube search. You might uncover a pearl that helps.

I first had to take the old part out to find out what the part number was. Then I went online and ordered the part. Once the part came in I attached to part and replaced the drive belt. I did not think it could be so easy.

Remove back compartment, remove belt disconnect two water rubber tubes from the drain pump, unscrew three screws securing the drain pump from the frame. Replace with a new drain pump, secure to frame with thee screws, reconnect rubber tubes, and replace belt.

Removed it from the package and placed it on the washer.

Removed top, valve and water hoses. Replaced valve then reversed the process. Easy change out. Saved $100 service call.

First I raised the top and took out the two screws that held the front on. Then I removed the back panel which were held by 4 screws. Then I turned the machine on it side and removed the belt. I then pulled the hose off from the tub to the water pump and the small hose on the back of the tub. I then removed the 6 springs that held the tube to the base and then I picked the tub up and turned it over on the floor. Then I backed off on the screws that held the snubber in place. I pulled the old snubber out, retighten the screws that held the snubber tight. Then I reversed my steps.

After taking the motor off (it looked loose to me!) and stripping out the bolts on it, then finding that the bolts holding the motor were permanently affixed to the motor (and they were an odd size not available at the hardware store), I drilled the bolts out and put in new ones (on the motor) and re-affixed the same. I still had a problem. I then went online and found that most people had problems with the water pump. I looked at the pulley on the water pump and found that the inner shims had slipped out on a permanent part (and could not be put back in with the basic tools I had on hand). I ordered the pump online, and replaced the same. Took about 30 minutes after I found the real problem and got the parts in. My pump had a permanent metal disc on the bottom which did not come with the new pump, but the new pump fit without it. Machine works fine now.

Removed the inner basket and outer tub to replace the gasket and rubber seal. just had to remove about a dozen screws to get it out.

Tipped the machine up to replace the belt.
The noise didn't go away at first. I decided to spray all the pulleys with some silicone spray, that did the trick.

Removing and installing the pump is theoretically easy, as everyone on this site has said so far. Just remove three hex-shaped screws, loosen drive belt and remove pump, then install new one using the same steps in reverse order. The trick is getting the screws off and on--they do not have slots for a screwdriver and there is not room around them for a socket wrench or pliers. I probable spent over an hour just on removing/replacing these screws and have many bruises to show for it. I ended up attaching a vice grips on the tips of the screws underneath the washing machine and screwing them out that way. And replacing the drive belt was horrifically difficult--that's where the other hour went. The devil was definitely in the details! If anyone had told me what I would have to go through to make this repair, I would have called a repairman. And I am an extremely handy person--I do stuff like repairs all the time, so it is unusual for me to say this. The good news is that the new pump works and the washer is back in commission.

As described in video; however, the video does not match the model I repaired. Most stuff is the same. Hardest thing to do was installing the new springs on the back of the tub (2 of them).

Brought unit out to garage so I would have room to work on it. Popped the top off, removed two screws to remove the front panel, removed back panel also, since there was no way I was going to the trouble of dis-assembly to get to the snubber without changing those 6 springs also - and you HAVE to remove the back cover to access all 6 springs.Removed belt and level and drain hoses- tub came right out. Loosened those 6 screws without removing them and pulled old snubber out- very straight-forward. Spent 10 minutes just comparing the old and new snubbers- I saw that there's a "ridge" around the inside of the new part that is gone on the old snubber. Sprinkled some corn starch at base of unit where the new snubber will fit (Great Idea someone had!) After everything was re-assmbled, I noticed the tub was now nice and tight when I grabbed it to move it. Before, it took no effort AT ALL to move it all around. Did a test load with some laundry the wife had stacked on the drier. Imagine my disappointment when I heard loud knocking inside when it started to agitate, but not while it spun!
Got all my tools back out and took the wet laundry out to take it all apart again- found the wife's heavy glass vase had been hidden in one of the towels. Re-tested- everything works GREAT!So far I've changed the drum seal (hardest) and the waterpump (easiest)- thi springs and snubber was alsmost as easy as the pump.
Above average shipping from Parts Select also- very helpful and efficient people on the phones.

I removed the old pump put the new one in its place. In twenty minutes i was ready to was clothes. It was so quite i thought something was wrong. I received the part in three days the timing was great.

Phil job can be done by a baby. Hardest part of the job is to open the top of the washing machine. I was an h. V,a. C. Tect for 46 years.

Repair was easy...The hardest part was manhandling the machine where I could work on it. I loosened the retaining bolts around the back, sprung the retaining clips, and slowly pried the top off the front of the washer to finally get the entire top off. After that, it was a matter of reverse engineering it and removing the bad part without breaking anything else! After about 20 minutes, I had removed the valve assembly, and the new one went on much faster. It took about half the time to put it all back together, and it worked beautifully! The best part was saving the exhorbitant amount of money that a service company would have charged me to install the part, while probably breaking something else in the process! My wife was so happy...