How to Replace the Tub Bearings on a Maytag LAT8600 Washer

Disconnect the Maytag LAT8600 washer at the wall outlet. Remove the two screws near the bottom of the front panel. Pull the bottom of the front panel from the washer cabinet. The top of the panel will release from the top of the washer.

Remove the hex-head screws from the top front corners of the washing machine cabinet to release the top panel. Rotate the top panel up and back from the bottom cabinet.

Loosen the two screws on each side of the metal clamp holding the tub cover to the inner and outer tubs. Remove the clamp to release the tub cover. Lift the tub cover off the tubs.

Find the 1/4-inch screw toward the bottom of the agitator. Remove this screw, and then pull the agitator from the washtub.

Thread a spanning wrench over the agitator shaft, and fit it onto the retaining nut. Hit the spanning wrench with a hammer to loosen the retaining nut, turning it clockwise. Remove the retaining nut holding the inner washtub in the Maytag washer.

Lift the base cap off the base of the inner tub and shaft. Lift the inner washtub from the outer tub to expose the mounting stem.

Remove the set screw from the side of the mounting stem. Place the spanning wrench over the mounting stem. Hit the wrench with the hammer to turn the mounting stem clockwise.

Lift the stem off the agitator shaft. Grab the tub seal with your hand, and pull it from the washer.

Loosen the 1/2-inch hex head bolt from the inner front of the exterior washtub with a socket wrench. The bolt holds the washtub to the tub support strut.

Remove the left and right bolts from the support struts on the left and right side of the exterior washtub. Finish removing the front bolt. The bolts are held to the strut with a lock washer and nut. Discard the fiber washers that were between the tub and the strut.

Squeeze the two ends of the wire hose clamp holding the small hose to the side of the exterior tub. Wiggle the hose off the tub. Loosen the screw on the screw hose clamp that secures the drain hose to the bottom of the tub. Pull this hose from the tub to expose the metal collar around the agitator shaft.

Pull the exterior tub from the washer and turn it upside down. Use your foot to force the tub bearing housing from the shaft opening in the exterior tub.

Turn the exterior washtub back over. Insert the new tub bearing housing into the opening. Use your foot to force it into the washtub. Ensure the housing sits flush with the floor of the exterior tub.

Pull the original metal collar off the agitator shaft. Slip the new collar over the shaft. Place the exterior wash tub back onto the shaft.

Replace the hoses on the exterior of the tub. Insert a new fiber washer between the front support strut and the bolt hole in the side of the tub. Secure the bolt loosely with the washer and nut. Attach the tub to the left and right struts with the 1/2-inch bolts. Do not forget to install the new fiber washers between the struts and tub.

Tighten the left and right bolts, and then tighten the front bolt. Reassemble the rest of the Maytag LAT8600 washer by reversing the disassembly steps.