Need a new washing machine???

JD Seller

Well-known Member
Well the wife's Maytag Bravos washer bit the dirt over the weekend.

It had started making some noise when it spin dried last week. She tried a load of cloths today and it would not do anything but handle water in and out. Zero spin or agitate.

I looked at it this evening. The transmission or gear box is stripped. The top bearing and seal also are bad.

This washer is just 3 years old and we may do 2-3 loads a week. So it has not had a real hard life.

The parts are going to be around $300. The whole washer only was around $700-800 when new.

I looked online and this model seems to have a lot of complaints. I am leaning towards just replacing it with a new one. If I do the new one sure will NOT BE a Maytag.

My question is this. What brand or model is a good one these days???? I know Whirlpool and Maytag are the same units.

This is tractor related as I wash my shop rags and work cloths in it. LOL
 
My Whirlpool is going strong at 24 years of age. I have replaced those plastic pawls that run the agitator twice. And it went to the WM Hospital fo some surgery about 10 years ago.
 
My wife's Kenmore front loader lasted about eight yrs. with three kids in high school. We went to buy a new one at da local hardware store and da owner told me only Bosch and Speed Queen were still made in da US of A. So we bought da Bosch I think made in NC? She likes it and has been in service 5 yrs wit no problems.
 
we bought a set of front loading high efficiency Kenmore ones 2 years ago and I can't say enough bad things about them. from the glitching flashing computer problems to the never ending stink of mold from between someplace that won't completely drain. I sold them for super cheap and bought a GE toploading set from home depot this spring. it is the only model still made with a plain timer and knob. NO COMPUTER AT ALL. I don't need a computer on my washer or dryer. the ge set works great and the clothes smell clean. I love it.
 
Look for an OLD Maytag front loader. Found some other brand, just rebuilt, at a farm sale in "72 when we started farming. Never worked right. Scrounged enough to buy a new Maytag about "75, had it rebuilt 22 years later. Lonesome guy said it"s good for another 22 years. With 6 kids, it got used a lot! Nothing but horror stories about the new front loaders.
 
(quoted from post at 00:01:36 09/17/14) Well the wife's Maytag Bravos washer bit the dirt over the weekend.

My question is this. What brand or model is a good one these days???? I know Whirlpool and Maytag are the same units.

This is tractor related as I wash my shop rags and work cloths in it. LOL
Our Kenmore/Whirlpool washer had a similar failure a couple months ago. We chose a LG WT1101CW. It's a top load high efficiency Energy Star model. Most important, SWMBO likes it! I can't comment on longevity yet, but the motor has a 10 year warranty. We do have a couple of LG window AC units and a Kenmore/LG french door fridge that are several years old and are doing fine, so far (knock on wood). So, I have some confidence in the brand.

Whirlpool owns Admiral, Amana, Jenn-Air, Kitchen Aid, Maytag, and Roper, and makes Crosley top load washer and some of the Kenmore models. Brands NOT OWNED and NOT MADE by Whirlpool are Speed Queen, GE, Frigidaire, Fisher&Paykel, Samsung, Electrolux, and LG.

P.S. It gets my greasy clothes clean, in cold water.[/b]
 
I had a Maytag front loader that gave troubles since new. Computer went out twice while under warrantee. Started going out again after the warrantee expired but the bearings went out first. Decided it wasn't worth fixing and needed to go away in the worst way. Just to keep it from being to much off topic I set it on the step and picked it up with the skid steer and grapple. I exacted a little revenge before it went to the scrap yard. I then bought an LG front loader. I've had it for about 4 years now. It's been a much better machine so far. Only problem I've had so far is the knobs are right above the door and all the settings wore off. I had to write them down on a piece of paper and tape it to a cabinet beside the machine. I have 3 women in the house so it gets used daily believe me. I'm not a big fan of front loaders but that's all you can find around here anymore.
 
Our Whirlpool Cabrio didn't last very long. Repairman said to get Speed Queen. We did and have not had any problems with it. He said the Speed Queen have less problems that the other brands. Most other brands are owned by Whirlpool.
 
Maytag changed to a different style transmission about 15 years ago. The newer style has the upper seal below the water level in the tub so when it fails water enters the transmission. If they get bad enough they will also leak water unto the floor.
 

Whatever brand you get, A front loader typically uses 1/3 the water and agitates way better than a top loader. front loaders are sensitive to light loads. it is difficult for them to balance light loads before going into extract, then the wobbly motion puts stress on the seal.
 
we have the maytag neptune washer & dryer-been great but have to leave washer door open because mold developed around door seals.
 
Avoid Maycorp products completely. Appliance repair people push 'em. Rightfully so....Maytag keeps them in business. Kenmore is only a shadow of what they once were. LG and Bosch are your best bets now days.
 
Wife and I bought an LG front load combo. It works great and no problems. She kept them in the divorce 2 years ago. I bought new ones for myself. They are great. Uses 1/3 the water and gallon of soap lasts over a year.
 
My whirlpool top loader didn't last 2 years, lost
bearing in tranny. I had a Lowes extended waranty
got a full refund, but it cost me $99 for the
extended.

I replaced it with a simple old shcool GE, Old
school, I set the water level. Lid doesn't lock,
so if I add clothes that hide under bed anything.

We aren't a fan of bending over to take clothes
out of a front loader, leaving door open, drying
gasket, bleaching gasket to keep the smell down.
 
I guess I am partial because I used to repair laundromat machines, but I wouldn't own anything but a Speed Queen, and only with the steel tub.

I also would never won a front loader. They are difficult to balance right and consequently are hard on the mechanical parts. I also like to be able to open the lid and toss in that stray shirt I forgot to put in at first - can't do that with a front loader.
 
I bought a new Maytag and it was to of been like the old style before they changed them. Well it didn't last either seal leaked water into the transmission and onto the floor.
I have had better luck with whatever used cheap ones I buy at yard sales or auctions.
Appliances are so expensive and yet built so cheaply and do not last anymore.
 
Keep your eyes open for a Maytag wringer washer with the kick start gas engine. Then when you or the wife are not washing clothes, you can take it to tractor shows and demonstrate how Maytag worked in the old days.
 
Your Maytag is a Whirlpool. Whirlpool owns Maytag.

Now I have a genuine Maytag from 12 years ago. Still going strong.
 
We've always had Whirlpools, on our 3rd one, got at least 15 years out of the 1st two raising 3 girls. Latest is a front loader, wife loves it. I'm not crazy about all the computer console stuff, figure it will be "expensive" if/when it breaks down. LG seems to be the big global brand nowadays.
 
Maytag, Jenn Aire, Whirlpool and Kitchen Aid are all owned by Whirlpool.

I bought a Maytag front load five years ago. The bearing went bad the first year and local dealer replaced washer under warranty. This one has been going on 4 years now.

Buddy had an LG, same thing happened to him. He bought it from Best Buy, he had to replace the bearing himself.

I think LG is a step up from Maytag, but not a big step.
 
I have no experience with the newer machines other than our long-time dealer told us they won't last like they did 20 years ago no matter what brand you get. We have a Maytag now that works great after 24 years. Wife wants new appliances in our new house so I guess we'll find out. Dealer said to stay away from front loaders.
 
Johnwayne mentioned Speed Queen. I have heard Speed Queen is the only one to buy if you want a machine that will last like the old ones did.
 
What ever you get I would avoid a front loader. Ever person I know that has bought one has regretted it - no matter what brand.

The last washer I bought bought was the biggest and cheapest "traditional" Westinghouse I could find. With 4 kids it get 6-10 loads a week run through it. It sounds like its getting to the end of its life but I got 10 years out of it.

A site that tells you who makes what brands:

http://www.appliance411.com/purchase/make.shtml
 
Maytag has become Whirlpool's "El Cheapo" line and the quality is not as good as Whirlpool. We have Whirlpool top loader, no problems with it.

I hear lots of complaints on LD and GE washers. Had an appliance dealer tell me that the only GE appliance that he would sell was a stove.

Just read that GE was sold to some other company (think it was an English company).
 
New ones are in the $350 range at most big box retailers. If you don't need a whole bunch of bells and whistles. Major manufacturer makes almost idemtical models under several labels. We bought an Amana only to find it was made by Whirlpool.
 
Replaced the electronic computerized junk with this old school Speed Queen.
Wife likes it. All that is important.
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I bought a new Kenmore (Whirlpool) about 4 years ago.

Just out of warranty, a $75 Chinese made sensor failed, which was out of stock and back-ordered for over two months. Installed it myself when it arrived. (I hate working on appliances.)

About 6 weeks ago the same sensor failed again. Less expensive this time at around $50, and readily available. Again, I installed it myself and am back in business but I expect this to be a recurring problem.

FWIW, If not for federal meddling, this sensor would not be necessary.

Dean
 
L G front loader we bought 5 yrs ago still going strong (Knock on wood) uses less water, detergent, does a good job. have the matching dryer stacked on top. works out for the space we have although the washer door is pretty low had it to do over would probably put them on pedistals but would have to revamp the utility room
 
We have a Kitchen Aide washer and dryer that are over 20 years old and still going strong. I have no idea who actually made them.

Only problem with the washer was the pump started making a whining noise several years ago. My wife pitched a fit and wanted to buy a new one. I called a repairman. The repairman found a toothpick stuck in the impeller.

I never put toothpicks in my pockets, my wife does.
 
As others said the speed queen as they use them in hotels and laundry mats. Whatever you buy buy from a company that services them. The box stores don't!!!!
 
JD, IMHO....The era of a washing machine lasting 10,15,20 yrs is a thing of the past. These outfits cost way too much for what you get!
When My wife and I got married we needed a machine about a yr afterward, being a Broke Day working Cowboy back them I opened up a Thrifty Nickel Ad paper and found a Washer/Dryer combo for $200 It Lasted about 5 yrs before It crapped out. I have done this even through Present and still believe I an waayyy ahead as apposed to buying new. We have run 3 to 4 loads a week on average.
I have always used the most current cost of going to the local Laundromat to figure a B-E-P! (Break-Even-Point! and this is my point!
example It takes $14.00 in quarters to Wash & Dry your laundry for 1 week at the local washiteria.
A (Gently Used)* set of Washer/Dry cost $400.
$400 ./. $1400= 28 weeks to Break Even!
* Being near an US Army Post many, many young people move in, get deployed, Divorced, Retire out many, many reasons a set is gotten rid of shortly after the original purchaser bought them!
After 28 weeks in my example You are making Money/
Do what You want!, a Washer/Dryer is a Wear Item at my house. Never had a set go less than 4yrs, Ever!
Later,
John A.
 
We bought our first front loader in 1955 a few months after I was discharged from the Army. It was a Bendix. We now have a Kenmore we bought in 2008. Had one service call on it. Hal
 
Take a look at Fisher&Paykel . We have had one for six years and no trouble with it so far . It uses a 1/3 less water per wash than others. I can replace the control panel myself( 5 plugs on back of panel and each plug is differant so you can't mix them up) and panel is less than 1/2 thr price of other companies.
 
We found an "old style" (regular water usage, tall agitator, top loader) with a stainless drum at Lowes late last year, on sale (Black Friday) for $399. Not deluxe but not a stripped down model either. They brought it out and took the old one away, it was having transmission problems. We've had pretty good luck with GE washers, been married 38 years and this new one is only our third one.
 
We've been married 61 years and we've had 4 front loaders since 1955 when we bought the Bendix. Hal
PS: My wife bought a Kenmore wringer machine in 1953 when I was in the Army. She worked at Sears.
 
We just bought a Whirlpool Cabrio Platinum top loader two weeks ago.
The 11yr old Sears front loader wasn't worth repairing. Some kid left jewelry in a pocket. Jammed the pump impeller , burned the pump motor out and burned the contacts out of the timer/controller.
We had thought Sears was a high capacity unit. The 5.2cuft Whirlpool is larger and takes any quilts and large coats etc no problem.
Added bonous is the clear lid. One evening when watching 500 channels with nothing on worth watching. The view through the lid was about as worthwhile as the TV screen.
The sound effects are good too. The Whirlpool is direct drive. Not very loud but..... Sometimes it sounds like an asthmatic pigeon. Other times like the Star Ship Enterprise going into Warp.
Price at the local mom and pop shop in town was identical to the nearest big box store.
 
We have had two Kenmore washers in 47 years. Bought the first one in downstate Illinois. It moved with us to the Chicago area, and then on to CA. It finally quit and was replaced by another Kenmore about 20 years ago. It's still running fine. We still run the 47 year old Kenmore dryer. Replaced the drive belt and the heating element once each. Fortunately neither unit is computerized.
 
We've always had Kenmore Heavy Duty washers here and they have generally given very little trouble. They were made by Whirlpool although I don't know if they still are... this one is definitely different than Maytag... and a lot better too.
That said, IIRC I changed a finger coupler on the drive of this one a few years back. Not that big of a deal or that expensive. Also... I think pretty well all of them have the same transmissions today so it's probably a matter of just picking your poison and living with it.

Rod
 

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