Maytag Neptune Front Loader tub bearing replacement tip

Maytag Neptune Front Loader tub bearing replacement tip

If your Maytag Neptune front loader is at least 10 years old I am highly recommending that you replace your tub bearings and seal proactively and let me explain why.


Eliminate the #1 Tony Tool challenge which is getting the rusted front bearing out…
As you know… I rent the specially designed Tony Tool to Neptune owners to assist them when changing their bearings and seal and I will tell you the number one challenge when changing the bearings is getting the front bearing out. In the past, Neptuner’s only replaced their bearings after the machine sounds like a jet taking off because the seal has leaked water into the bearings. What happens next is that rust forms between the front bearing outer race and the aluminum bearing housing making the front bearing difficult to extract. If you replace the bearings before they rust… the front bearing will come much easier with less stress to the machine. The tool kit rental comes with a pair of snap ring pliers, 2" wire wheel, extra bearing spacer and emery cloth as well as the bearings and 12002022 seal kit. A DVD is included that shows you how to disassemble your Neptune, swap bearings and install the seal kit. You can order the tool kit rental at Neptune Bearing.  Go down about half way and click where is says " Click HERE to read the tool rental agreement & order. Once the tool rental agreement opens up then there will be an Add to Cart button on the left side. Click on the Add to Cart button and you will be taken into PayPal's secure server to complete the payment.

Prevent spinner support (shaft) damage…
In some Neptune bearing failure cases the spinner support shaft was damaged because a bearing hung up and that caused a groove in the shaft so it had to be replaced at $89.00. The upfront cost for a new spinner support is $129 delivered via UPS Ground but I allow you to send the 12002022 seal kit back with the tool kit rental for an additional $40 refund because the spinner support arrives with a revised lip seal so you won’t need the 12002022 seal kit I sent you with the tool kit. The $40 seal kit refund takes the $129 down to $89. See Spinner Support to order a new spinner support.

The tool rental queue is lower than usual so you will get it quicker…
I will admit that the Neptune bearing tool kit rental queue is low right now which means that you will get a tool kit quicker than usual and that is a good thing. In the past I would have anywhere from 8 to 15 people in the queue with all of the tool kits out in the field. However, it is less critical in your case because your machine is not down and you are being proactive.

You can control washer downtime by replacing your bearings proactively…
Another benefit being proactive is that you control the washer downtime. You can do all of the laundry before you start the disassembly so there is less pressure to complete the bearing swap out. If your bearings fail and there are a large number of Neptuner’s in the queue that will delay you receiving the tool kit and then that would mean visits to the Laundromat or relative’s houses to do your laundry.

Take the time to really clean your Neptune while you have it apart…
Does your Neptune smell funky? I get lots of feedback from Neptuner’s and they tell me that they took extra time to really clean out their Neptune while they had it apart to freshen it up. There are simply areas that you cannot get to and properly clean until you disassemble the machine. From there, you can start a regimen of using the Affresh tablets or other front load cleaning product to help prevent the buildup of smelly gunk and keep your machine smelling better. You may also consider replacing the door boot while you change your bearings and seal. You can order one for $49.00 when your rent the tool kit.

Other parts you may want to replace while your Neptune is disassembled…
To wrap it up... Don’t forget that you can also get the new Neptune belt for $26.00 and the new door boot for $49.00 from the Neptune Bearing order form. If you take machine apart and decide your belt still looks good then just send it back with the tool kit unopened for a $26 refund. If you have a timer knob then you will want to make sure that you replace your door latch wax motor before it fails. Order extra wax motors for only $12 when you rent the tool kit!

Top 5 reasons to proactively change your Neptune front loader bearings.
1. #1 tool kit rental challenge is eliminated as the front bearing will come right out

2. Prevent potential damage to the spinner support

3. The Neptune bearing rental queue is very low right now

4. Totally prevent unexpected downtime and Laundromat visits

5. Funky Smelling Neptune’s can be really cleaned out when they are disassembled

Again, here is that link to order the Neptune bearing tool kit rental...  Neptune Bearing.


Until next time...

My Maytag Neptune shuts down on the rinse cycles

I would check the water inlet screens for debris. Shut the water supply off, remove the hoses, use a flashlight and take a look up into the water inlets on rear of your machine, remove any buildup with tweezers or needle nose pliers. The screens are to keep any crap from getting into your water valves which could cause them not to close all the way and let water slowly trickle into your machine when it is off.


What causes this particular shutdown is that the Neptune will shutoff after a certain filling time to prevent an overfill condition. The water inlet screen restriction will cause machine to take longer to fill. Low water pressure can also cause this issue. See Neptune Washer for more Neptune information.

Until next time...

My Maytag Neptune washer is growling at me

My Maytag Neptune washer is growling at me...

If your Maytag Neptune front load washer is growling at you then maybe you are working it too hard…

Or it could be that the motor control board (MCB) is failing.

The Neptune MCB is located on the right side down by the floor on the solid door panel Neptune’s including the 2000 stackers. The MCB generates 3 phase power to drive the motor and if one of the phases fails then the motor will sound like it is growling and it will not produce the full torque required to spin the clothes out.

See http://www.12002039.com/ and/or http://www.22004473.com/ for the two common Neptune MCB assemblies.

The 12002039 kit includes a new motor, wiring harness and the MCB that work together. Maytag provided this new 12002039 design because they were having failures on the original motor drive system and decided to use a different technology. The original motor is not compatible with the new MCB. When the motor drive fails your machine will usually turn off a few seconds after you try to start the washer up and on the digital machines you will get an LR error code.

This picture shows a common failure on the MCB. Another failure is when the 10 amp fuse opens.







You will need your model number and the first 2 digits of your serial number to determine which kit you will need.

For more Maytag Neptune help see NeptuneWasher and NeptuneDryer.

Until next time...

Maytag Neptune Drum Bearing Replacement Tip

Hello Neptuner,

When replacing your Maytag Neptune Drum Bearings make sure you clean the bearing housing really good and inspect it closely. Especially the front bearing seat.

What are we looking for? You want to make sure that the front bearing seat is smooth and that there are no ridges or ripples in the aluminum. If there is you will want to take some emery cloth or a small grinding wheel and take them down.

Any ridges or ripples can cause the front bearing go in crooked and it will make it even tighter to get in.

Don't forget that you can also use a heat gun to heat the bearing housing to help the bearings go in easier as the aluminum will expand more then the steel bearing will. Just don't overheat it...

Until next time...

Maytag Neptune Dryer Repair - how to

Maytag Neptune Dryer Repair - How to

Loretta is at it again... She recently contacted me about her MDE4000 dryer that was starting to get louder when it was running. You might recall that I came to her aid in 2006 when her Q6 triac and R11 resistor was damaged when the door latch wax motor failed on her MAH4000AWW. That repair created the Maytag Neptune Q6 R11 repair kit with wax motor.

In addition, I replaced her bearings and seal last year and it is still running smoothly. See Neptune Bearing and 12002022 Seal Kit for more information on replacing your Neptune bearings and saving a bundle.

I decided to create a video for you Neptuners on how to change the dryer rollers and belt. I was surprised how easy the machine was to take apart...

To order any other appliance parts you can visit www.washerbearings.com/parts to order replacement parts other than tub bearings and seal. Have your model number close by and you can look up any parts you need whether it is for your fridge, range, dishwasher and of course your washer and dryer.

Here is the video for you...



Let me know if this video helped you by leaving a comment below. I also put up a new site at Neptune Dryer to show the Neptune Dryer repair video and to offer the replacement roller and belt kit.

Until next time...

8540347 Seal For Whirlpool Duet Sport Front Load Washer

8540347 Seal For Whirlpool Duet Sport Front Load Washer (8400 & 8500 models)

8540347 – approx. 3 5/8” o.d. X 1 13/16” i.d. X .5” thick

It turns out that the seal is not available so I created a custom double lip seal made that replaces the original 8540347 seal. This way you can save lots of money by replacing your Duet Sport bearings and seal verses purchasing a new rear tub. This 8540347 seal should also fit the Kenmore Elite HE2 front load washers…

Models are:
MHWZ600TB00
MHWZ600TK00
MHWZ600TW00
MWFW8500SR01
MWFW8500SR02
WFW8400TB00
WFW8400TB01
WFW8400TE00
WFW8400TW00
WFW8400TW01
WFW8400TW02
WFW8500SR01
WFW8500SR02
WFW8500SR0

See Duet Bearing to order these bearing and seal kits. I will also offer the seals separate in case you prefer to source your own bearings locally and will provide bulk seal purchases for appliance repair centers, laundromats, etc. Send me an email if you would like bulk 8540091 or 8540347 seals in packs of (10) or more.

In addition, I've offered Maytag Neptune bearing and seal kits over three years now and have saved Neptune owners a bundle because that service is usually quoted at about $900! If you know someone who owns a Maytag Neptune front loader send them to Neptune Bearing for replacement bearings and seals.

Until next time…

Neptune Bearings - airplane or jet sound while spinning

Neptune Bearings - airplane or jet sound while spinning

Ok, you thought you bought a Maytag Neptune front load washer... but now it has morphed into an airplane!

Below is a nice video to show you what to listen for so you can repair your Neptune and get another 5 - 10 years out of it.




See www.neptunebearing.com for the replacement bearings and you can rent a special tool kit that will save you time and effort plus comes with a instructional DVD for the home owner!

If you bother ol' Lonely be prepared to receive a $900 quote to replace the large outer tub plus labor, etc. Why replace the $500 outer tub when you can replace the bearings?

If you catch the bearing failure early then you don't have to replace spinner support but just in case, you can order the Spinner Support. Keep in mind that the spinner support comes with a seal kit so you can return the 12002022 seal kit for a $40 refund which almost cuts the spinner support cost in half when you purchase kit at Neptune Bearing!

One last thing... Other front loaders have the same morphing issue, too! If you're the proud owner of a:

• Whirlpool Duet, see www.duetbearing.com


• Whirlpool Duet Sport, see www.duetbearing.com


• Kenmore Elite, See www.elitebearing.com


• Maytag Epic, See www.epicbearing.com

Note: The tool kit rental is not used on the Duets, Elites and Epic front load washers. There is a link to a video that shows you how to change the Duet, Elite and Epic bearings which is actually easier than the Neptune's due to the way the Neptune is designed.

Until next time...