Maytag washer screeching while running

A screech in the dark

Feeling good after diagnosing and fixing the shift actuator in my Maytag washing machine. Letting it fall out of my mind over the course of several weeks and just be a washing machine again. One day I was running a large load when it started a loud screeching sound. A screeching washer is never a welcome sound. Watching it run with the door open it seemed that the transmission was still intact. It was indeed still agitating properly, only with a very loud screeching at the same time.

Not inclined to give up on this machine just yet, I settled in for another diagnostic run to find and fix the source of the horrible squeal.

Trouble shooting the screeching washer

Remembering the last time when the machine was tipped back for access to the shift actuator, that both the drive belt and motor were exposed also. I followed the same procedure.

Safely disconnecting first the power and then the water lines.

Moving the machine away from the wall and tipping it back once again.

Removing the plastic cover from the motor and belt area.

Removing and inspecting the belt, and this is where the problem became apparent. As the drive pulley slipped off the main motor shaft and clattered to the floor.

Looking closely at the newly liberated part, it became clear that the internal diameter of the plastic pulley didn’t have any splines left at all.

It was easy to see how this would create the squeal I was hearing earlier, so I set out to find a replacement for this part.

Finding a replacement

Checking google and my usual appliance repair sites sourced many sources for a new motor for this machine, including the pulley. But none of the major ones seemed to offer the pulley by itself. Not wanting to spend $300 to fix a washer that I only paid $100 for, I persisted.

Eventually finding a seller on amazon.com that offered the pulley by itself for a reasonable sum.

W10677723 Washing Machine Motor Pulley Replacement

Saving the old pulley, I pulled the trigger and ordered the amazon part once again.

Installation and putting it back together

The next day after it had arrived, I compared the new part to what was left of my old part. Cautiously optimistic as the pulley was the same outside diameter, and the same inside diameter, with the right number of splines that were actually intact.

Returning to my machine the new part slid easily over the shaft and clicked in easily as the plastic retaining clips snapped over the shaft. Giving it a gentle tug to make sure it wasn’t going to fall off again.

Satisfied that it was securely mounted this time, I re-installed the belt. Next, I set about reassembling the machine and resetting it against the wall in its proper place.

Sound test

Testing it out with a moderate load, and this time happily greeted by a quiet and compliant machine. Dutifully carrying out its mundane task of scrubbing soils from my clothes. Hopefully for several more years without any additional attitude.