1-18 Squeaky Agitator Roller

[Jons1077]

OK guys! Time for a repair question. I have a 1976 1-18 washer that
is in wonderful condition but one issue. It has a rather noisey
bearing inside the agitation roller (the very front roller when
looking inside the front panel). Is there a way to lubricate just the
bearing without messing up the rollers themselves OR is there a way to
replace the bearings in that one roller without having to tear down
the whole darn machine? Any manuals, pictures, etc would be so
helpful!

Jon

[Fixit]

Hi Jon,

Frigidaire never made those bearings available separately to my
knowledge; we always replaced the roller assys.

If we can find one, the rollers are very simple to change, especially
the agitate roller, which is up front as opposed to the spin roller
(in
back and much harder to see its mounting bolt).

Original part # was 634723, and I'm pretty sure I still have a new
one
rattling around here somewhere; will check on that in the morning.

You prob already know that the front panel comes right off of these
machines, and the ag roller's held on with a single long screw. A
ratcheting box-end wrench is the tool for the job. Early version
screws
had 5/16" hex heads, later changed to 3/8".

Btw, the much more common cause of roller noise was the *spin*
roller, and the 'rattling' noise from it was worse in agitate than
during
spin. They added a 'wiper' type spring to later spin roller versions
to
increase pressure on the roller, which helped a lot.

Hope that's helpful. I'll get back to you on availability tomorrow
via
email.

Thanks, and God bless,

Dave Harnish
Dave's Repair Service
New Albany, PA
www.DavesRepair.com
http://DavesRepair.partsquik.com (Parts lookup, and more!)
http://blog.DavesRepair.com
drs[at]sosbbs.com

Wise Men Still Seek Him
John 14:6

[sfr...@cox.net]

I think you just replace the whole damned roller. I have never tried to lubricate one. I suppose you could try but it would need to be a light coating of some VERY HEAVY grease----so it does not sling it around onto the rollers. Anyway----I'll look into it and get back to you.
-Steve

[Jons1077]

That is very good information. I haven't even been able to get the
agitator out of this machine so I'm delighted to know that to replace
this one roller I just ratchet the screw out. Sounds like a very easy
job since that roller is front and center. I'm very much aware of the
front panel coming off. This machine was a terribly smelly mess when
I got. All kinds of mouse nests and droppings inside. I dismantled
the entire cabinet and did a deep cleaning. All of the cabinet screws
got replaced so the front panel is easily removed now. I've contacted
another friend of mine to see if they have the roller available as
well. I'm sure the spin on my machine is not the quietest but it's
not nearly as loud as some others I've heard. It's just the squeaky
agitation that is the glaring issue. I really appreciate the info and
help. I'm really excited to get this machine back to a quiet
purr. :-)

Jon

> New Albany, PAwww.DavesRepair.comhttp://DavesRepair.partsquik.com(Parts lookup, and more!)http://blog.DavesRepair.com

> drs[at]sosbbs.com
>
> Wise Men Still Seek Him
> John 14:6
>
> On Dec 22, 7:23 pm, Jons1077 <selc...@hotmail.com> wrote:
>
>
>
> > OK guys!  Time for a repair question.  I have a 1976 1-18 washer that
> > is in wonderful condition but one issue.  It has a rather noisey
> > bearing inside the agitation roller (the very front roller when
> > looking inside the front panel).  Is there a way to lubricate just the
> > bearing without messing up the rollers themselves OR is there a way to
> > replace the bearings in that one roller without having to tear down
> > the whole darn machine?  Any manuals, pictures, etc would be so
> > helpful!
>

> > Jon- Hide quoted text -
>
> - Show quoted text -

[Jons1077]

You do have a way with words Steve. :-) Thank you so much!!! hehe

[Fixit]

'Morning Jon,

I do have just one of those agitate rollers left here, new old stock.
Thought
I did ('have a warehouse full of uncataloged vintage parts that
recently arrived
here, as well as a truckload that *should* have gotten cataloged long
ago ;-) ).
'Have to get $49.50 plus $5 Priority for the critter, though, bc it's
long been
discontinued and they're very hard to find, kind of like inner bellows
seals
these days.

Hope that's helpful. Let me know if you'd like it, or just Paypal
$54.50
($57.77 if you're in PA) to to d...@sosbbs.com and I'll get one headed
your way ASAP.

If you prefer, I can email a Paypal 'invoice' for that. Makes it
easier if you
don't have a Paypal account yet (You can securely use a credit card
via
Paypal without having an account with them that way). Just let me
know
if you happen to live in PA first. I have to charge sales tax to PA
residents.

Btw, far more secure than speaking your credit card number over an
open
phone line, Paypal's military-grade encryption won't be broken, so
your
data's safe. I've used them daily for nearly a decade now with no
problems
whatsoever.

PS - Be sure to clean the rollers and both wheels well when done,
using
lighter fluid; forgot to mention that earlier. GM was very particular
about
even the/brand quality of lighter fluid we used back in the day, but
regular
old naphtha works OK on them, in my experience. The rule is 'squeaky'
clean, no oils or grease residues at all.

Hope that's helpful.

Thanks again, and have a terrific CHRISTmas, one and all!

Dave Harnish
Dave's Repair Service

New Albany, PA
www.DavesRepair.com
http://DavesRepair.partsquik.com (Parts lookup, and more!)
http://blog.DavesRepair.com

d...@sosbbs.com

Wise Men Still Seek Him
John 14:6

> > New Albany, PAwww.DavesRepair.comhttp://DavesRepair.partsquik.com(Partslookup, and more!)http://blog.DavesRepair.com

> > drs[at]sosbbs.com
>
> > Wise Men Still Seek Him
> > John 14:6
>
> > On Dec 22, 7:23 pm, Jons1077 <selc...@hotmail.com> wrote:
>
> > > OK guys!  Time for a repair question.  I have a 1976 1-18 washer that
> > > is in wonderful condition but one issue.  It has a rather noisey
> > > bearing inside the agitation roller (the very front roller when
> > > looking inside the front panel).  Is there a way to lubricate just the
> > > bearing without messing up the rollers themselves OR is there a way to
> > > replace the bearings in that one roller without having to tear down
> > > the whole darn machine?  Any manuals, pictures, etc would be so
> > > helpful!
>
> > > Jon- Hide quoted text -
>

> > - Show quoted text -- Hide quoted text -

[Jons1077]

Dave,

Thanks so much! Let me do a little searching of my own here. I only
paid $25 for this machine a couple of years ago. Have to decide if
investing $50 into it is something I am willing or able to do. I
don't doubt that you are offering a fair price. It's just a big chunk
for me while I'm a student again. I should know something by tomorrow
though so I'll definitely let you know if I can swing it or not.
Thanks so much again for checking for me and at least now I know one
of these puppies is out there.

Jon

> New Albany, PAwww.DavesRepair.comhttp://DavesRepair.partsquik.com(Parts lookup, and more!)http://blog.DavesRepair.com

[OnlybyGM]

Hey Jon,

Now that I have the part number, I'll look and see if I can find that
when we go through and divide the stash on Tuesday. Almost positive
there's an agitate roller or two in there, I know there was one that
included the agitate arm and shaft. As soon as I can get it located,
I'll send it your way.

Merry Christmas,
Austin

> > New Albany, PAwww.DavesRepair.comhttp://DavesRepair.partsquik.com(Partslookup, and more!)http://blog.DavesRepair.com

[peter leaf]

i have lubricated my rollers on my 1-18 and rollermatics by applying a drop or two of wd40 to the inside of the roller. there is no real bearing. they float around a small shaft. you can take roller completely apart but i don't suggest it as you risk breaking the plastic peices that hold them together, and if they break your roller is shot. and there are no replacements out there.

just add a drop of wd40 or even 3 in one oil, that should do it. if any gets on the roller it can be cleaned off with rubbing alcohol, i clean mine all the time. rubbing alcohol and a paper towel work great.

--- On Thu, 12/23/10, sfr...@cox.net <sfr...@cox.net> wrote:

[peter leaf]

and also, my motto is the less you fool with those rollers the better, besides cleaning them off with alcohol. once i lube them as said i put em back on the transmission frame and then leave em alone! as said they have very fragile plastic parts that hold them together.

--- On Thu, 12/23/10, sfr...@cox.net <sfr...@cox.net> wrote:

> From: sfr...@cox.net <sfr...@cox.net>
> Subject: Re: 1-18 Squeaky Agitator Roller
> To: gm-frigidair...@googlegroups.com
> Cc: "Jons1077" <sel...@hotmail.com>
> Date: Thursday, December 23, 2010, 6:09 AM

[Jons1077]

Peter,

That sounds like a pretty good plan for now. I know I may end up
getting a replacement roller from someone but I was kind of thinking a
drop of WD40 couldn't hurt. I have a feeling it's just really dirty
inside and that's causing the friction. No doubt that some mouse
stuff might have got down in there or something like that. I take a
look at it tonight though and see what happens. Thanks again!

Jon

On Dec 26, 9:51 pm, peter leaf <soberl...@yahoo.com> wrote:
> and also, my motto is the less you fool with those rollers the better, besides cleaning them off with alcohol. once i lube them as said i put em back on the transmission frame and then leave em alone! as said they have very fragile plastic parts that hold them together.
>

> --- On Thu, 12/23/10, sfr2...@cox.net <sfr2...@cox.net> wrote:

>
>
>
> > From: sfr2...@cox.net <sfr2...@cox.net>
> > Subject: Re: 1-18 Squeaky Agitator Roller
> > To: gm-frigidair...@googlegroups.com
> > Cc: "Jons1077" <selc...@hotmail.com>
> > Date: Thursday, December 23, 2010, 6:09 AM
> > I think you just replace the whole
> > damned roller. I have never tried to lubricate one. I
> > suppose you could try but it would need to be a light
> > coating of some VERY HEAVY grease----so it does not sling it
> > around onto the rollers. Anyway----I'll look into it and get
> > back to you.
> > -Steve
>

> > ---- Jons1077 <selc...@hotmail.com>

> > wrote:
> > > OK guys!  Time for a repair question.  I
> > have a 1976 1-18 washer that
> > > is in wonderful condition but one issue.  It has
> > a rather noisey
> > > bearing inside the agitation roller (the very front
> > roller when
> > > looking inside the front panel).  Is there a way
> > to lubricate just the
> > > bearing without messing up the rollers themselves OR
> > is there a way to
> > > replace the bearings in that one roller without having
> > to tear down
> > > the whole darn machine?  Any manuals, pictures,
> > etc would be so
> > > helpful!
>

[JC]

Never encountered that condition before, I've seen split pulleys on the motor cause this , loose belts etc.

Must think on it, those rollers do float, I'll try and scan a manual tomorrow, they can be taken out without taking the whole tranny apart.

--- On Mon, 12/27/10, Jons1077 <sel...@hotmail.com> wrote:

[Jons1077]

FYI...I managed to get the squeaky 1-18 out and in a place where I
could put some water in and let it agitate. Last night I tried the
WD-40 trick and placed the nozzle right up to the top and center of
the roller. Let it sit overnight. This morning I put water in the
machine and let it agitate for several minutes. From what I can tell
the WD-40 has done the trick. Agitation was much more quiet and the
speakiness was absent. It seemed to even speed agitation up a little
bit. I kicked it into spin and all was well there too so no rollers
got messy in the process. I'm going to let this recent 1-18 find get
some use as it's still cleaning itself out and eventually I'll swap
them so the other one gets some wash time with the lubrication in
place. I'll keep you updated and thanks again to everyone for the
pointers!

Jon

On Dec 27 2010, 11:10 pm, JC <jetc...@yahoo.com> wrote:
> Never encountered that condition before, I've seen split pulleys on the motor cause this , loose belts etc.
>
> Must think on it, those rollers do float, I'll try and scan a manual tomorrow, they can be taken out without taking the whole tranny apart.
>

> --- On Mon, 12/27/10, Jons1077 <selc...@hotmail.com> wrote:

> > > - Show quoted text -- Hide quoted text -