How to make the Maytag Neptune bearings easier to replace

How to make the Maytag Neptune bearings easier to replace...


I just improved the Maytag washer bearing tool kit rental by adding a piece of emery cloth to it. After using the included 2” wire wheel to clean the front bearing seat area I would recommend using the emery cloth to smooth and even take down the bearing seat a smidgen. It turns out that the Neptune bearing hub is aluminum and when the rusted front bearing comes out it can distort the aluminum and make it difficult for the replacement bearing to go in. This is just one of the reasons why I recommend that the bearings be replaced as a preventative measure after the machine has reached 10 years or so. See Neptune Bearing Tip For more reasons to proactively replace the bearings and 12002022 seal.


When was your Maytag Neptune born you ask? See Neptune Born on Date



There have been situations when performing the Maytag Neptune bearing replacement where there have been ripples or ridges in the aluminum bearing seat area and these will surely stop the new bearing from fully seating or perhaps even starting in the case of a ridge on the front edge of bearing seat. I would carefully inspect the bearing seat before attempting to insert the new bearings and use the emery cloth to take them down.

The Neptune rear bearing does not have this issue in most cases because it does not get wet like the front bearing does. I’ve had extreme cases where the washer was operated for a long period of time before the bearings were replaced and the rear bearing was rusted and actually fell apart when using the tony tool to pull them out. These Neptune washer repairs are more difficult but can be corrected by using a rotary cutting tool with cutting wheels to cut a slot in the bearing race and then use a drift or chisel to knock it out. Typically, the rear still bearing looks new but you should replace it anyway.

For more information on the Maytag washer repair see Neptune Bearing Repair


Until next time…