WTW500CMW1 Whirlpool Washer - Overview

DIY'er working on a Maytag Centennial type washing machine should be aware that replacing a a transmission or agitator due to worn out splines is only half a job done well. I originally replaced my transmission due to worn splines, only to discover later that the worn agitator splines caused the new transmission splines to wear out at an accelerated rate. Transmission and Agitator should be replaced together, along with a new Agitator mounting bolt. There are plenty of video's online of how to do this repair so I won't get into that here. Just wanted to drop the above sage advice. Transmissions for these washers aren't cheap.

As women, myself and my daughter completed this fairly simple repair. The replacement washer plate was top quality and included the washplate replacement screw. Additionally, we purchased a tube of lock tight to further secure bolt placement. The most difficult part of the repair is to disengage old screw and securely replace with new one. Very pleased with fast delivery Excellent customer service and top quality part.
Thanks

replaces all 4 suspension rods.
1. unplug machine.
Take a zip tie and attach the end to form a loop. Keep the loop as large as possible.
2. Remove 4 self tapping screws in back of machine top two are into the tabs, 1 in the washer top and 1 in the electrical cover.
3. Use plastic pry bar to elevate tabs under top on right and left sides. use the heel of your hand to tap the back of the top forward. Once it moves you will need to use the pry bar to help pop it up out of the tab. When both sides are loose and the top is free. It will tilt back. There are slots on the top that the tabs on the washer slide into to hold the top up. CAUTION: the lid is hinged and loose so either have it supported when it’s back or use tape to secure it shut.
4. At the 4 corners you will see where the suspension rods attach into the plastic cups. Use a screwdriver to pry up the hook until you can grab it with a pair of pliers. Lift the hook until it clears the plastic puck, remove the puck then let the hook fall into the hole.
5. If possible set a flashlight so you can see down to the bottom attach point of the suspension rods attach. Grab the rod about half way down the shaft, the push down. The assembly will break loose and drop to the bottom, then you can slide the rod out and remove it. NOTE: THE SPRING IS STRONG. WHEN YOU REMOVE THE ROD, THE TUB WILL NOT BE SUPPORTED AT THAT POINT, SO YOU WILL ALSO HAVE THE WEIGHT OF THE TUB TO CONTEND WITH WHEN YOU INSTALL THE NEW ROD.
6. Make sure the new rod assembly has the black retainer positioned on top of the spring and the white retainer is about 6” above.
7. Hold the new rod so you can put the bottom with the spring back into the plastic cup. Once it’s in, give the rod a tug to seat the spring in the holder. keep holding the rod. Grab the zip tie loop you made earlier. Place it on the top hook of the hook then hold the rod by the zip tie. Feed the tie through the top hole, insert the screwdriver through the zip tie and set over the hole to hold the rod in position. Get the holder cup assembly (outer ring and inner bracket).
8. Hold the zip tie, let it back through the hole, while holding it, position the outer cup, then pull the zip tie back through the hole, insert the center bracket watching the position so the stem clears the rod, then lift the zip tie and position the hook over the bracket. At this point you can either cut the zip tie and pull it out or pry up the hook on the rod until you can slip off the zip tie.
9. Let the rod seat into the cup bracket. I orient the hook so it faces outside. The first rod is in.
10. Repeat doing 1 rod at a time. Be prepared to bruise your arm reaching down into the washer as it’s close quarters. The spring is strong and the tub is heavy so you need some arm strength to do this with one arm. It isn’t difficult and you’ll do better on each successive rod.
11. When all the rods are in and set, ease the top back down, align the tabs, check the side tabs that they didn’t bend (if they did just bent them back in), make sure the top is out of the tabs, then shove the front to reset the top.
12. Reattach the 4 sheet metal screws to the top, plug it it and test.