RTW4516FW2 Whirlpool Washer - Instructions

Once we put the washer on it's side noticed lots of oil on the floor and in the belt cover area. Replaced belt anyway but issue is the leaking transmission. Starting warranty process since Maytag carries a 10-year part warranty and machine is 6.5 years old. Wish me luck !!!

I removed the cap over the ratchet mechanism, removed the ut holding the agitator in place, removed the agitator and cleaned all the parts. The assembly for the ratchet dogs was a 3 piece assembly that was included in the kit I bought from Part Select. I also bought a new cap and gasket since my old gasket had broken too. A new gasket was already included in the kit, so I didn't need ot buy the cap. I liked that th ekit included everything I needed and good instructions. parts got to me in about 3 days. Very happy with my Parts Select experience and the fact I saved at least $100.

I popped of the fabric softner dispenser at the top auger by appling pressure with both thumbs rather than use the notch provided. This gives access to the agitator mounting bolt which was removed with a deep socket and extension on a ratchet handle. The agitator slipped right off the splined shaft by pulling upward at two points at the bottom. I ordered the complete agitator repair kit which included a part that improved the operation of the top auger, it may have been a factory upgrade at some point on this machine. I did use silicone grease where required and I feel that this is a must for longevity of the thrust washer. If you are ordering the complete kit, the o-ring seal for the inner cap is included. The machine washes like it was new.

I removed the cover for the softener dispenser on the top of the agitator. Then reached in and removed the cover of the nut and washer which was very sticky and sealed with an o-ring. This took a bit of pressure. Then used a socket wrench with an extension to loosen the bolt and took the whole agitator out of the machine. Then I set the agitator on the floor and with a fine 12 inch long screw driver released the catches while turning and pulling the agitatior with my other hand and holding the lower agitatior on the floor with my feet. I then turned the upper part over and removed the cogs and holding mechanism.
Then I reversed the process after replacing the cogs with the new part. 25 minutes total.

Removed two screws to remove guard. Two screws to remove another part with wires. Pulley nut was already missing. Component was twist locking tabs.

1. Removed the fabric softener dispenser

2. Removed Barrier Seal Cover

3. Removed bolt and seal

4. Removed and replaced CAM Agitator Assembly

5. Reversed the removal steps.

First removed the cap, took out the screw, pulled out old agitator and replaced it with the new one

Removed the attaching bolt and then removed the Upper Agitator Assembly. I removed the damaged parts and installed the Agitator Repair Kit and Re-installed the NEW Upper Agitator Assembly.

All of our wash was smelling like mildew. It was making us nauseas . After the repair everything smelled fresh and clean again. We received our parts within three days.

Thanks

Tip washer on its front removed belt guard and belt. Removed shift actuator. Put new actuator on, put belt and guard back on, put back panels on and it was fixed.

I ordered the new cogs but didn't want to wait the few days for them to arrive. So I decided to try and temporarily repair the old ones. After looking at the picture of the new ones on this site I realized that the teeth were just worn down. I took all four of them out and used a grinding disc to carve the teeth down deeper. They were not perfect. (I would recommend holding the teeth with a vise.) However, after reinstalling the cogs the machine worked perfect and that was two weeks ago. I'm not going to install the new ones until I have to.

Super easy. Watch the video on YouTube.

snapped off the softener dispenser, pulled out the plastic seal below and could see problem. Used socket with extension to remove agitator. ran machine to verify transmission was working.
Looked up parts on line and found Part Select. The repair stories insured me I had correctly identified problem. Ordered part on Sat. arrived Tues. Reversed disassembly process with new agitator. Success
Great source of information, fast delivery, very satisfied overall and will reccomend and use again

There are 4 tabs that come from the main agitator body through the center & lock into the centerpiece that holds the directional cogs. They have a tab similar to a cable tie that can only be put on once. They need to be clipped before it will dissassemble & reassembly is difficult because they need to be timed to reattach the round center cog plate. Maybe cut off 2 of them & taper the other 2 them for easier reassembly.

I ordered these parts for next day delivery. The next morning they were on my door step!

I pulled off the plastic cover inside the agitator, under the softener dispenser and replaced the old "O" rign with the new one. Next I used a 3/8" socket with a 6" extension to loosen the agitator nut and removed it. The one on our machine was on rather tightly - a bit too tight in my estimation.

The upper part of the agitator lifted easily. I lifted out the cog mechanism and studied it. I took the new parts, and assembled them, using the old parts for visual reference. All of this took about ten minutes. Be sure you push firmly on the retainer until it locks in place to keep the cogs in their slots.

Next I spent about 15 minutes cleaning up the agitator just because I like to put stuff back together in 'clean condition'.

Next I replaced the thrust bearing. The instruction specified a special grease to lubricate the thrust bearing - order this when you order the parts. The original one had no grease on it and was quite worn. I used food grade vaseline. You could probably also use silicone lube on this, the part is nylon.

After I cleaned the assembly and put in the new thrust bearing, I replaced the agitator. I had slight difficulty lining up two grooves on the cog holder for the guides in the main agitator mount but got them lined up on the third try - that took less than a minute. I put the new washer on the nut, inserted the nut and tightened it down - be careful not to over tighten, just make sure it is snugged down.

Over-all this is a fairly straight-forward repair job and is not difficult - anyone who can follow easy to read instructions and run a socket wrench can do this. I would only caution to make sure the new cogs are correctly oriented in their holder. Study how the original is assembled so you can duplicate it with the new parts. Just for the record, the nut is standard right hand thread - lefty loosey, righty tighty.

I think these parts are made to fail on purpose - if the machine gets over loaded and the agitator can't work it will chew up the cogs rather than break the agitator. Good thinking on some engineer's part!

I was lucky when I found Parts Select - I'll come here for my parts from now on!

I simply removed the bolt from the inside of the agitator and pull the whole the straight up. It came aloose pretty easily. I took the old clothes mover off and put the new one on. On the inside of the mover the dog ears and spacer easily comes out. I removed the spacer and replaced the dogs ears. I put everything back together the way it was when I took it apart. It works as good as it did when I first got it.