I have an old Amana ALW480DLW washing machine. How do I get the agitator out?

SOURCE: washing machine agitates, but does not spin

my amana washing machine does not agitate, but it does spin

SOURCE: old model rca washer machine...will not agitate/wash the clothes,does spin.

If the washer fills up with water and you hear the motor running but the agitator doesn’t move, the agitator coupling is the most likely problem. First pump the water out by turning the timer to spin. Once the water is out, turn the washer off. Now pull up on the agitator until it comes off (it may be hard to pull off). Now that the agitator is off, you can see the agitator coupling, reach down and try to turn the coupling. If the coupling turns freely, it is striped out and needs to be replaced.

SOURCE: I need to remove the agitator from my washing machine.

On most Amana washers you pull on the agitator with brute force. It "snaps" on. It helps if you fill the washer with hot water and let it set for a few minutes... drain and then try pulling it out. When i last took apart my Amana it took me and a friend to pull the agitator off.

SOURCE: Amana washing machine makes loud noice when trying to spin

sounds like you are dealing with the same problem as me .
take off the front panel (after unplugging power) take a flash lite and look at the large pulley at the back just below the pulley is the helix check to see if they are worn .

http://fixitnow.com/wp/2008/10/21/amana-washer-makes-loud-ratcheting-noise-during-spin-but-doesnt-actually-spin/

SOURCE: amana washing machine will not spin. it agitates

If your washer does not drain you need to check this parts.

1. Inspect the drain hose for kinks
2. Test the timer control
3. Test the lid switch(some models)
4. Inspect the water pump
5. Inspect the drive belt(belt drive only)
6. Inspect the motor coupler