The following advice is for replacing the “Agitator Dogs” on Kenmore and Whirlpool TOP LOADER style washing machines.This simple repair can save you a fortune in repair costs as the replacement parts are very inexpensive at a cost of less than $10.The replacement kit part number is 80040.You can order on line at various appliance parts websites, or use this part number and go to your nearest appliance parts retailer. What are “Agitator Dogs”?These are small plastic pieces (usually 4) that are located under the agitator center cap that grip the agitator and turn it during the wash cycle.They can (and do) wear out dependent upon the use of the washer.If you are in the habit of doing large load sizes frequently, or wash large items such blankets or afghans, this can wear the teeth off and reduce the life of the agitator dogs. SYMPTOMS REQURING REPLACEMENT:The agitator fails to turn during the wash cycle, or will not turn with a heavy load.The timer will run normally through all cycles, and you will be able to hear the gearcase (transmission) engage and run.The washer will also drain normally.The only indication that something is wrong will be the agitator slipping or not turning at all.The result will be clothes that do not wash properly and will sit on the bottom of the wash tub. To replace the Agitator Dogs, follow these steps:
Remove the agitator center cap by either pulling straight up or gently placing a flat blade screwdriver into a slot located in the cap.
If the agitator is equipped with an inner cap with a handle, remove this as well by pulling straight up.
Remove the center bolt of the agitator.You will have either a 7/16” hex bolt or a recessed square plastic nut.If you have the square recessed type, use a 3/8” to ½” ratchet adapter to remove.
Remove the agitator by grasping the bottom flange and carefully pulling straight up.Try to keep all the parts assembled while doing this, so do not pull too hard.This will make this repair much easier.
Place your hand over the top of the agitator and separate the upper portion of the agitator from the lower portion and turn the top half over in your hand.The agitator dog assembly will come out in your hand.
With the agitator dog assembly in your hand, lay the rest of the agitator aside.Pay careful attention to how the dogs are installed.Remove the worn dogs and reinstall new ones.It’s that simple.
With all the dogs replaced and the assembly still in your hand, place the upper part of the agitator over the top of it, upside down, ensuring the inner assembly tabs align correctly.
Now keep your hand over the agitator top to hold all the pieces together and turn the entire assembly over (upright position).
Carefully align and reinsert the upper portion of the agitator to the lower portion.Again, making sure the two pieces align correctly.
Place the entire agitator assembly back on the gearcase shaft and reinstall center nut.NOTE: DO NOT over tighten the nut, or the agitator will not spin correctly.Just make the nut snug.Reinstall center cap and inner cap (if equipped).
These instructions should give you the basics on how to perform this repair.Since there are various agitator types in use by Whirlpool and Kenmore, assembly can vary.If you get confused and require further assistance, please refer to my profile at http://www.fixya.com/users/jsrock516 and use the “Ask Me” feature.For excellent diagrams to assist in reassembly you can also refer to the searspartsdirect.com website.Just type in your COMPLETE washer model number and look under the Agitator Parts heading.I hope this information is found to be helpful.
Your instructions were dead on for me. Having no experience in small appliance repair I was a little apprehensive in trying it on my own. I reviewed the instructions and figured I'd at least try. If all failed I could call in the repair guy. I stopped on the way home and they sold me part 80040 for $12. + tax. I took my time and the only place I had a small hang up was steps 7 thru 9. It finally went together and a test load showed I was succesful with the repair. The agitator is not working correctly.
Another easy to follow guide from jsrock516. I was replacing the Drive Coupling and the parts guy suggested these as well. For less than $5, I thought why not. It was easy and could have been done in about 15 minutes.
I have a Roper RAS8245EQ1 washer it uses the same kit number 80040 for the 4 dogs.
Thank you jsrock516! If my dad is not sure, I come looking for you!
Good instructions, thanks. Adding to it: (for a Whirlpool)
Another test of whether the dogs are broken, is that when the washer is off, you can grab the top portion of the agitator and spin it both ways freely. When the dogs are engaging correctly, it spins clockwise freely, but counterclockwise the dogs "grab" like a ratchet.
The step "Carefully align and reinsert the upper portion of the agitator to the lower portion" was the trickiest. Two small white plastic tabs in the lower portion need to slip into two square holes in the upper portion, and those tabs were bent so didn't align correctly. Don't push harder to make it work... that just bends the tabs more. Look carefully through the upper portion when doing this, to make sure they are lining up correctly.
Any handyman worth the name won't be able to put this all back together without cleaning the years of accumulated grime off the parts... allow time for that. :)
PS: Hey, Whirlpool, could you have possibly come up with a worse design than this? 4 dumb little plastic parts that carry all the stresses of agitating a large load?
This was a HUGE help! I got the new agitator dogs at an appliance parts supply store for $8 and it took me less than 30 minutes to change them, including cleaning the pieces. The only difficult part was separating the top and bottom part of the agitator, but after stepping on the bottom piece, the top piece came right off. Thank you so much!
Great tip. The dogs were almost disintegrated to nothing. The only problem I had was separating the agitator housing from the base. The washer is 10 years old and still going. Thanks a lot!
I was able to figure out most of what I need to do, the agitator is out
and everything. My problem is I can't get the top half of the agitator
off. Pulling hard and/or tapping has no effect.
This is a LSQ7030LQ0 Type III Top loading Ultimate Care II washer.
Thanks!
Comment by pdubois, posted on Oct 23, 2008
Upon further reflection - and a hammer - I've discovered the hitch.
On my particular model, there are 4 hook-posts that hold the dog assembly to the lower agitator post, pinning the upper agitator in place. In my case, they were melted flat against the dog assembly. I'm assuming this was done at the factory as there is no way this could have happened during regular use. There is no real chance of simply pulling the two agitators apart because of these hook posts.
Using a hammer to knock the upper agitator up against the posts showed they would come loose with a bit of effort. The top of the posts are now tooth-less as the melted tops came right off the posts but everything went right back into place and can not come loose - the center bolt holds everything nicely.
Awesome ... thank you for this information! Paid $5 for the dogs at a parts store and I had the machine fixed in 10 minutes! Clothes are agitating as I type!
Thanks for this! When I called Sears here in Canada, the part (called "Clutch Dogs") turned out to be $5.99. I would have paid $69 for a service call, + parts + labour @ $80/hr so your tip saved me nearly $200. Brilliant! -- Tim
Great advice. I was able to replace my dog ears today with your help. Mine was a recessed square plastic nut and all I needed was a 1/2" ratchet adapter. Once I was told what kind of tool I needed it didn't take but minutes to fix it. Thanks for the great advice and I will be using this site more often. Thanks again for your help because you saved me some MONEY!! I didn't need a service call to get my washer working right. Greatly appreciative!! godukeblu
