Tuesday, October 9, 2012

Maytag Neptune Bearing Replacement Tip

Maytag Neptune Bearing Replacement Tip

I received this email from a Tony Tool renter after replacing his Maytag Neptune bearings... Obviously, WD was watching the instructional DVD that comes with the Neptune bearing tool kit rental.

"Hey Jeff Your tool was mailed this morning. Let me know if you need a tracking #. What a great tool. I took longer to get the grease off the DVD player remote control, then fixing the Maytag............wd"

Tip: Place your remote control in a plastic bag to keep the grease off of it  :)

You can save time and effort by renting the Neptune bearing tool kit HERE.

If you own a Laundromat you can purchase your own Tony Tool at www.neptunekits.com as well as bulk bearing and seal kits. Heck, why not start your own side business replacing bearings for Neptune owners in your area? After you do... make sure you take some wax motors with you in your tool box and change those out as well as I am still selling plenty of my STAGE 1 Q6 R11 repair kits with wax motor to repair the MAH3000, MAH4000, MAH5500A and the 2000 stacker's which all have a timer knob. The digital Neptune's do not have the faulty wax motor issue.



Until next time...

Wednesday, August 8, 2012

How to survive a workplace or public shooting video

Here is an interesting video released from the city of Houston titled: "Run. Hide. Fight" and I thought it would be good to spread the word so you are better informed and prepared. Share it with your family and friends, too!




I  specialize in washing machine bearing and seal kits and well as the Maytag Neptune washing machines. See Washer Bearings for your washer repair needs and Neptune Washer for help with Maytag Neptune washers.

Until next time...

Tuesday, July 31, 2012

Color Changing Doorbell Button Testimonial

Color Changing Doorbell Button Testimonial


Here is a testimonial I recevied from Steve R. in regards to the Color changing doorbell he purchased:


"Thank you for having such a great product, LED lights are the way to go, they’re strong and last so much longer than the old filament bulb type. I would have been happy with just one white LED, The smooth color changing LED is a step above that and is just beautiful to watch. It will keep my friends intrigued as it takes me time to get to the door."



Steve R.
 
 
Check out Lighted Doorbell Button to get your Color changing doorbell button!
 
 
Until next time!
 
 
P.S.  Look for new cool solid colored doorbell buttons soon!

Sunday, July 8, 2012

Color Changing Doorbell

Color Changing Doorbell



A few years ago I started a project where I was interested in modifying my doorbell button. It seemed to me that the light bulb in the lighted doorbell buttons burned out too often and I desired to utilize an RGB LED because they last much longer than a bulb. I played with a circuit board design that would fit into the standard rectangle shaped doorbell button. But I put the project aside due to the Maytag Neptune business that I was running was taking off. By the way, if you have a Maytag Neptune washer then see http://www.neptunehelp.com/ to see if you have the faulty door latch wax motor.

I dragged the project back out recently since surface mount technology is so popular in the electronics industry I decided to incorporate some into the new doorbell design. I also decided to make the color changing doorbell button a kit that anyone with a soldering iron can put together to learn about surface mount electronics. Lighted doorbells are a way to add a cool look to your home and the color changing ones are even cooler.

I now have the color changing LED incorporated into the doorbell as a kit and as a complete assembly.

See lighted doorbell button for more information.

I’m also working on developing lighted doorbell buttons that will have a solid color as well.In the future I'll create some new posts rergarding the requirements of the unique doorbell buttons. The general rule is... if you already have a lighted doorbell button then you can replace it with the color change doorbell. Another requirement is that it has to run on an electric doorbell... not a battery/wireless one because it would drain the battery rather quickly.

Friday, July 6, 2012

Neptune Washer Bearing – Special tool saves time and effort

Neptune Washer Bearing – Special tool saves time and effort




Maytag Neptune bearing noise

It is obvious that your Neptune’s bearings are failing because your Maytag Neptune sounds like jet taking off when entering the spin cycle. Where do you start? Should you get a quote to have the Neptune repaired? Can you complete the repair yourself and save money? Should you purchase a new washer and dryer? How long will the washer be down? Etc…


Maytag Neptune washer bearing replacement

Let’s start with what a technician will quote you and why you will experience sticker shock. The quote to repair the bearings will run from $800 to $1,000 and the reason is that 99.4% of the repair techs will replace the large outer tub which runs about $500 alone plus labor and maybe a new spinner support in case yours is damaged. The truth is that you cannot tell if the spinner support shaft is damaged until you get in there but from my experience in most cases the spinner support is reusable. You can just replace the bearings and seal and get many more years of life from your Neptune front loader. There are a number of technicians using the Tony Tool to save Neptuner’s money so they won’t suggest that you replace the $500 outer tub.

I do recommend if you’re reading this and your bearings are still functioning that you proactively replace your Neptune bearings if your machine is 10 years old or more.


Maytag Neptune bearing kit

If you’re handy with tools you can replace your Neptune bearings without the special tool kit rental. There are a few things you need to know about how the bearings are installed in the machine. The front bearing is slightly larger than the rear bearing and there is a 1 ¾” pipe (bearing spacer) that is sandwiched between the bearings. When you remove the front tub seal you will see the front bearing and when you look at the front bearing’s ID you will see a tunnel because of the bearing spacer. Then you will see the rear bearing’s inner race where you have about 1/8” lip to grab onto to push or pull it out. The tool kit has a machined round nut that glides through the front bearing and spacer and will catch the rear bearing’s inner race and uses the leverage from the t handle to draw it out. Once the rear bearing comes out the spacer falls out, too.

Upon installation you install the rear bearing first using the tool. Next you place the bearing spacer on the PVC spacer holder and then start to draw the front bearing in. The tool kit makes this a breeze since it keeps the spacer centered while the front bearing is being drawn in and finally clamps the bearing spacer. If you don’t have the tool kit you have to come up with a way to hold the spacer when you install the bearings. So the tool kit rental saves you time and effort.


How to replace your Neptune bearings

The Neptune bearing tool kit rental includes bearings, 12002022 seal kit, a pair of snap ring pliers, 2” wire wheel, emery cloth, step by step DVD and an extra bearing spacer in case yours is cracked or corroded. Note: The earlier Neptune’s have a snap ring that you need to remove before pulling it. The wire wheel is to clean out the bearing housing after bearings are removed and the emery cloth is to smooth the front bearing seat in case of any ridges or ripples that may have developed due to the failed front bearing. The kit is shipped Priority Mail to you so you will receive it within 2 – 3 days typically. The http://www.neptunebearing.com/ site displays the estimated to ship days based on when tool kits return.


The Neptune 12002022 Seal kit

The 12002022 seal kit includes 2 seals. The earlier lip seal and the revised lip seal. You need to use the same one that you removed since they require different shaft machining. I have had some Neptuner’s decide to replace the spinner support so they could install the revised lip seal when their machine originally had the earlier lip seal but it is not necessary.


Maytag Neptune Washer MAH5500BWW bearings

I personally replaced the bearings and seal on a MAH5500BWW washer in 1.5 hours and it was my 2nd time of using the tool kit. I would also recommend having an 8 – 10 pound sledge hammer available when changing the bearings.

If you decide to use the to neptune bearing tool or go it alone you can get everything you will need at Neptune Bearing.

Until next time...
















Saturday, June 30, 2012

Maytag Neptune Bearing Tool Rental FAQ

Maytag Neptune Bearing Tool Rental FAQ


1. Why is the Tony Tool Rental deposit so much?




1A: I have to request the large deposit since the Tony Tool costs $425 to purchase otherwise I may not get the tool kits back.





2. Does the Tony Tool Rental kit include the bearings and 12002022 seal kit?



2A: Yes, the bearings and 12002022 seal kit are included as well as a Neptune bearing spacer in case yours is cracked.





3. Will the Tony Tool work on my 2000 Stacker model?



3A: Yes, although the DVD will show the standalone Neptune disassembly process... I include a link so you can download the Stacker service manual and it will show you how to disassemble the Stacker. Once inside, they are the same parts where the bearings are concerned. The Neptune bearing and 12002022 seal kit (along with Tony Tool ) work on all solid door panel Neptune front loaders.





4. How long will it take to replace the bearings?



4A: I’ve personally used the Tony Tool and the first bearing job was on a MAH4000 and it took me about 3.5 hours but I was video taping the process. The 2nd bearing replacement was on an MAH5500BWW and it took me 1.5 hours from start to testing machine. One variable is the front bearing and how much rust is in there and that is why it is best to catch the bearing failure as early as possible.





5. Should I replace my door latch wax motor and belt?



5A: If you have a timer knob (non digital) Neptune and it has the original wax motor with brownish color actuator tip I would highly recommend you replace it before it fails. See Neptune Help Song. If you order it and find out you already have the newer black tipped wax motor then just send it back for a refund with the tool. Same with the belt. If you order it and find out your belt is still useable just send it back unopened for a refund.





6. Can I use the revised lip seal if my machine had the earlier lip seal installed?



6A: Not directly. The spinner support shafts are machined differently. If you really want the newer revised lip seal then you would have to order the new spinner support which includes the new revised lip seal then you can send back the 12002022 seal kit for a $40 refund to help offset the new spinner support purchase.


For more information on saving time and effort when replacing your Maytag Neptune bearings see Neptune Bearing.


Until next time...

Thursday, June 14, 2012

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…