How to Fit Retainers Back Onto a Washing Machine Motor

Washing machine motors drive the transmission to run the appliance through the different cycles. On many models, the motor also supplies power to the pump for draining the tub. Heavy metal retainer clips hold the motor securely to minimize vibrations and prevent the part from working itself loose. If the motor has been removed for repair or maintenance, there's a simple trick to fitting the part back in the retainers that takes only a few minutes.

Nut driver

Instructions

- 1
  Unplug the power cord from the appliance. If you are in the process of replacing the motor in the retainer brackets, the washer should already be unplugged.
- 2
  Loosen the two bolts on the top of each retainer, using a nut driver, but do not remove the hardware.
- 3
  Set the motor in its original position inside the washer. The short rods on the sides of the motor each fit into a tube on a retainer.
- 4
  Remove the two bolts on the last retainer and push the tube on this retainer onto the remaining rod on the motor as far as it will slide on the motor rod.
- 5
  Hold the motor in place with one hand as you replace the two bolts on the final retainer. Tighten all bolts on all retainers with the nut driver. The motor is now secure and you can proceed with completing your repairs or reconnecting the wiring harness to the matching plug on the motor.

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