Top portion of agitator does not work. Is this repairable?

1.Remove the agitator center cap by either pulling straight up or gently placing a flat blade screwdriver into a slot located in the cap.
2.If the agitator is equipped with an inner cap with a handle, remove this as well by pulling straight up.
3.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.
4.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.
5.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.
6.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.
7.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.
8.Now keep your hand over the agitator top to hold all the pieces together and turn the entire assembly over (upright position).
9.Carefully align and reinsert the upper portion of the agitator to the lower portion. Again, making sure the two pieces align correctly.
10.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.

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If the bottom agitates and not the top, the problem is likely the 4 "agitator dogs" designed to allow the top agitator to turn only one way.

This assumes that you have a basic Kenmore / Whirlpool top load, direct drive, neutral drain (it doesn't spin until the pump removes most of the water) machine.

First, see the Sears parts site for your washer:


http://www.searspartsdirect.com/partsdirect/getModel!retrieve.pd?modelNumber=110.27812692

and you'll see a list of major sub-components with diagrams and parts.

Look at the section on the Sears site for Agitator, basket and tub.

See the part "Dog, agitator "

Remove the fabric softener unit, lift the top agitator cap (use a screwdriver) and you should see a plastic part in the center of the top agitator with a 1/2" square drive.

Remove the drive and lift off the top agitator. Turning it over you should see the 4 "dogs", replace these and the top agitator should turn in one direction only.

Replace the 1/2" drive, the cap and fabric softener unit and the top agitator should work.

Also see the following illustrated description of the above.

http://www.american-appliance.com/catalog/newsdesk_info.php?newsPath=16&newsdesk_id=136&osCsid=0da65cea0e338fe930b1fde153a243f0

you can replace them ,they are called dog ears, can get from your nearest appliance shop or you can order from Repairclinic.com, not a hard job to replace ,repair kit is about 15.00 bucks

you have to replace the dog's in the top ov the agitator.the part# ror this part is WPL80040462.the cost is $4.62.to replace the dog's you nead to remove the fabrick sofeiner assembly from the top of the agitator.next you nead to remove the top cap.now you nead to use a 7/16 socket to remove the bolt in the agitator.now you nead to grab the agitator at the bottom and pull it up.now yopu nead to seperate the top from the bottom.place the agitator on the floor,put a foot on both side's of the bottom of the agitator and pull up.now you the top portion of the agitator.turn top portion upside down and remove the cam.you will see the rubber dog's.replace the dog's and reverise the prossess.

This problem is generally caused both by by overloading the machine and time. The kit to repair it is called an "Agitator dog kit" and can be purchased at any parts outlet for likely less than $10.

To replace the Agitator Dogs, follow these steps:

1. Remove the agitator center cap by either pulling straight up or gently placing a flat blade screwdriver into a slot located in the cap.
2. If the agitator is equipped with an inner cap with a handle, remove this as well by pulling straight up.
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. 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.
6. 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.
7. 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.
8. Now keep your hand over the agitator top to hold all the pieces together and turn the entire assembly over (upright position).
9. Carefully align and reinsert the upper portion of the agitator to the lower portion. Again, making sure the two pieces align correctly.
10. 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).

Good Luck

This is commonly attributed to worn agitator dogs. The following link explains:

http://www.fixya.com/support/r823955-replacing_agitator_dogs

The part number is included in the instructions I provided for you. You can find replacements at appliancepartspros.com for about $5.

If you have questions, please let me know. I hope this helps you.

NOTE: When re-installing the agitator, do not over tighten. This may damage the agitator and/or restrict its movement. Tighten until snug.

Pry the agitator top off with a screwdriver (in the little slot provided)and remove the part with a 7/16" socket. Lift out the top part of the agitator and replace the four plastic dogs with parts from RepairClinic.com http://www.repairclinic.com/Appliance-Parts?s=t-110.82870820-%3d%3dc201 for $4.95 plus shipping.
I am replacing mine for the second time in 18 years. John

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:


1.Remove the agitator center cap by either pulling straight up or gently placing a flat blade screwdriver into a slot located in the cap.
2.If the agitator is equipped with an inner cap with a handle, remove this as well by pulling straight up.
3.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.
4.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.
5.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.
6.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.
7.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.
8.Now keep your hand over the agitator top to hold all the pieces together and turn the entire assembly over (upright position).
9.Carefully align and reinsert the upper portion of the agitator to the lower portion. Again, making sure the two pieces align correctly.
10.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.

Thanks for using FixYa - a 4 THUMBS rating is appreciated for answering your FREE question.

This problem is generally caused by worn agitator dogs which are part of the agitator cam under the top portion. The dogs act as a clutch to drive the upper portion of the agitator. The do wear out with age and require periodic replacement. The following link explains:

http://www.fixya.com/support/r823955-replacing_agitator_dogs

This is a very simple problem that can easily be repaired by the average do-it-yourselfer for very little money. Replacement parts can be purchased on line at searpspartsdirect.com. Just type in your model number and look under the "Agitator, Basket and Tub Parts" heading for item number 10. For a little more, the entire cam replacement kit (which includes the dogs) can be purchased as item number 9. If you do not wish to purchase on line, take the part numbers listed on the website and go to your nearest appliance parts retailer. These parts are commonly part of their in store inventory.

Read through the link thoroughly and let me know if you have any questions. I hope this helps you.

it just needs an agitator repair kit <$20.