How to remove the agitator on a Kenmore 70 series

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/index.action

Enter your model number (###.######) and you'll see a list of major sub-components with diagrams and parts.

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.

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

First, see the Sears parts site for your washer:
http://www.searspartsdirect.com/partsdirect/index.action

Enter your model number (###.######) and you'll see a list of major sub-components with diagrams and parts.


It sounds as if your "Agitator Dogs" are damaged or broken. These are plastic pieces that allow the top agitator to turn only one way.

Please see the following for how to access and replace them if necessary.


http://www.american-appliance.com/catalog/newsdesk_info.php?newsPath=16&newsdesk_id=136&osCsid=39649e541343127154c647348d1156d9

Basically,

1. Remove the fabric softener dispenser.

2. Using a short flat blade screwdriver, remove the cap.

3. You may see a 1/2" square plastic nut.

I've used a 1/2" extension for a socket set to remove the nut.

4. Pull the top agitator off and turn it over carefully.

You should see the agitator dogs (per the illustrations).

Replace them if necessary and re-mount the agitator, tighten the bolt carefully, put the cap and fabric softener dispenser back on and the top part of the agitator should only turn one way.

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.

Hi, Remove the cap on the agitator and then remove the inside cover. There is a 7/16" bolt under the inside cover. Remove the bolt and the agitator will lift out. Seperate the 2 pieces of the agitator and replace the dogs. You might have to use a flat blade screw drive and punch out the 4 tabs around the bolt hole in the agitator if this applies.
I hope this helps you. Please let me know if I can assist you further.

Vic

Remove the center cap, or fabric softener dispenser (if installed) from the agitator center post. There should be another cap (used as an air gap) under the center post cap. Remove the cap and locate the agitator bolt. Using a socket and ratchet, hold the agitator still with one hand and loosen with other. The upper portion (called the auger) should lift off, first. Then, grasp the agitator by the flanges at the bottom of the wash tub and lift straight up. This will reveal the gearcase (transmission) shaft.

Now...is the entire agitator slipping? Or, is it just the auger? If the auger is slipping, you may just need to replace the agitator dogs. The following link explains:

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

Read through the link provided and let me know if you still need assistance. I hope this helps you.

NOTE: If the dogs are worn and need replaced, you only need to remove the auger and not the entire agitator.

It sounds like the agitator dogs are worn.
To remove the agitator, pry off the agitator cap and remove the bolt that holds down the agitator. With the bolt out pull up on the top section of the agitator (auger) to remove it. Underneath the auger you should see 4 small white or beige plastic gears (dogs). . Replace those and it should be ok.

The part number is 80040

Let me know if you need more assistance.
Good luck!

The agitator dogs are worn and need to be replaced. Remove the agitator cap and the bolt that holds down the agitator. With the bolt out you can remove the top section of the agitator (auger) where you should see 4 small white or beige plastic gears (dogs). Replace those and it should be ok.

Part number is 80040

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.

ok take the top off the agitator there is a cap carefully remove this cap and then some have a inner cap with a handle remove that also in side the agitator it has a 1/2" or 7/16" head bolt remove the bolt and then pull up really ******* the agitator. to replace dogs you have to break the taps holding them in not the agitator be careful
'

the agitator dogs are problably remove agitator cap remove bolt holding agitator in ..dogs are part #80040