Over the course of a year’s time we have had to replace every working part in our washing machine. Sound expensive? It was. And yet, if we paid to have it fixed, well, with all the money we would have spent we could have afforded to buy a new washer and a dryer with all the bells and whistles! (Yes, I repaired that too) . So, I fixed whatever broke and got on with it. Of course, when it came time to replace the drive shaft I gladly let Bob take over, because it was hard work and required strength that I just don’t have…
As we set to work,
we began to wonder if the nut that holds the wash drum in place on the drive shaft would break loose…
Would we have to call the repairman after all?
I’m happy to say it did, and we proceeded to gut the works.
HINT: This is a very good opportunity to remove all the water deposits
and detergent residue that have built up on the drums!!! 😉
No job is complete until it has been inspected by the resident Kitty Inspector Number One!
He is always on the job when there is serious work to be done…
This was a very big job!
And so it was that last week, that the annoying loud hum which had become so familiar to my ear suddenly stopped. (I was washing new apron fabric) The spin cycle started and I could hear the water swooshing in the drum and not going out…
Uh-OH!
The water pump had failed. It finally just gave up and quit.
So, it was off to Parts Select again to buy the part I needed.
I ordered it that morning.
It was delivered next morning!
I fixed it in about an hour.
It was a very easy job.
Unplug the wiring, take out two bolts, and release two hose clamps.
Well, OK, those two blankety-blank hose clamps will be replaced with the screw tightening variety…
If I ever have to do this again.
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If you are new here, then you may be wondering why I am so partial to Parts Select.
Well it isn’t royalties or paid endorsement, I can tell you that!
It is because of fair pricing, ease of finding the parts I need,
and the how to do it videos!
Like this one! 😀
Thank you once again, Steve!
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So, are you a do-it-yourself kind’a person, or do you prefer to let the professionals do it for you?
Life on the Farmlet 
I’m afraid I don’t have your skills but I surely admire you. Now, I want to see a picture of the apron fabric (sewing happens to be one of my skills).
Thank you, Lillian! Aprons are coming up, albeit slowly, as I am catching up on housekeeping duties for a couple of days. 😉 I will post them as I finish them!
Good for you!!! LOL, pretty sure this where I came in (a few years back; ). And you mean they should use “real” hose/pipe clamps? Yeah, what a concept, eh?;P
Thanks, Deb! The spring steel clamps are a very useful and economic invention for use in a non-pressurized application. However, in tight places, I would still prefer the screw down clamp every time! 😀
Being terminally clumsy, and a champion bit-dropper and -loser, professionals every time! I’m lost in admiration….
Kate, we all have our own unique gifts. I am in awe of your ability to quilt and sew! Fabulous things are fashioned every day by your skilled hands. 🙂
we always try to repair ourselves first, and if that fails we call out the professionals. What is so annoying these days is that things (expecially kitchen/laundry room appliances) don’t seem to be made to last like they used to. Obviously it’s great for the economy – machine breaks down, it’s usually cheaper to go buy a new one – but then that is just encouraging people to fill up the local tip with tons of broken machines which could have been repaired.
I just complained of this very thing, Claire. Things are not made as sturdily as they used to be. It is nice when you can find the older versions and make them run and hum again, don’t you agree? 🙂
And yes, we are a throwaway society! I really detest that. 😦
well not everyone throws away. You’re a fine example and I try my best. Just spent an afternoon reparing 2 pairs of my husbands jeans so they will live to see more work around the garden/house.
Good for you, Claire! mending clothes is a time honored and almost forgotten task! I too repair Bob’s jeans when they need a hole sewn up.
Making the mend invisible is a challenge, but not out of the realm of possibility. (Psst… I do this with towels too!) 😉
Oh, forgot to mention…
If you have hardwater/lime buildup in your kettle, coffee maker, dish or clothes washer; some plain white vinegar in the rinse cycle will keep things sparkly clean: ).
For the kettle: add 1/8 (2TBSP) vinegar to water. Bring to a boil, then let stand for a few hours or overnight before rinsing thoroughly. (The coffee tastes pretty nasty, if you forget; )
Coffee Makers: 1/2c into reservoir with a potful of water. For DRIP machines: run with a potfull of water through machine. Turn off midway and allow to soak 1/2 – 2 hours. Same for POD-type BUT be sure to dump, clean and rinse out your reservoir thoroughly FIRST.
A large scale buildup may take more than one time, so better to go easy on the concentration of vinegar solution and do this several times to get things cleaned out. I have been forced to take everything apart, drain and then literally shake the machine upside down over the sink to “burp” it and dislodge bits of scale that had become lodged inside…
Then, when your machine starts making complaining noises again, you’ll know its time: )
For clothes’ washers, I suggest running a load of old wipe up towels in the machine on a hot load – with NO soap – for the first time… (You may be surprised how much soap has been lurking inside the guts of your machine and again, depending on the buildup, this may take more than one go…
This was lengthy Lynda, with apologies… ):
Yes, I use the vinegar trick often!
I prefer to let Mrs Tootlepedal do this kind of thing,
Tom, I believe you have mentioned this before! Tell her I’m glad she keeps things running about the house. 🙂
I will.
😀
Well, it depends. Since I rent, and since I have a terrific management and maintenance crew, many things simply aren’t problems. The AC doesn’t cool, the dryer overheats — whatever — I call the nice people and within 24 hours they appear and take care of it. They even re-laid kitchen tile for me when the old ones started loosening.
Small things, I often do myself: like rewiring a lamp or a tool. So far, I’ve even been able to keep up with the computer, except when the hard drive crashed.
Some things I used to do, I don’t any more, like changing the car’s oil myself. It’s much easier to take it to the dealer every 5,000 and have them do the multi-point-check along with the oil change. Besides, they don’t allow us to work on cars here at my complex. 😉
Linda, anything we can do ourselves these days is a step in the right direction. It is a shame that most items we really rely on are not made as sturdily as they were back in the day. Don’t you agree? I’m impressed that you can rewire a lamp. Most would just chuck it and get a new one. 🙂
Lynda! I am so darn impressed! Wow.
I replaced the heating element in my dryer a couple years ago but that was nothing like this. Good for you!
Laurie, sometimes you gotta do what you gotta do! 😉 I’m impressed with you too, but be careful, that’s how it starts… 😀
I’m a do-it-yourself girl, and if I can’t then FD will. Very seldom do we call a repairman for anything. There’s some pride in learning the job and accomplishing it on your own! Great work, Lynda! I love those DIY videos too.
There certainly is, Lori! And, yes, Steve is such a good teacher isn’t he? So calm, collected, and not at all like me when I hit a snag… You didn’t want to know me when I was trying to hold those clamps and trying to pull everything back into position.
Yikes, should I be blushing?
I think so! 😉
Lynda, I am so proud of you, you are mechanically inclined.
HA! Blame that one on Dad! LOL! Thanks, Alison. 😀