[How do I?] Advice to Make or repair this (pix)?

Is the gear teeth area a separate piece ???
I see 5 or 6 little indents on the side, almost looks like pin holes or could be places used for holding from the original manufacturing.
Even if not, I wonder if one could machine a piece with new teeth, mill out the old teeth (depending on thickness) and key, pin, or screw the new teeth to the old piece. The two outside teeth seem untouched so might be able to leave those in place for added support and strength for the new material.
If possible, this would seem an easier, cheaper solution.
 
@JPigg55 . The whole piece is one piece. It is cast, so the indents you see are the cast release pin indents. Thanks for the rest of your reply. I believe that is something we are going to try.
 
Can you buy a new part? Sometime the replacement part(s) are made better realizing their mistakes. How about buying a new washing machine that does not have that kind of transmission?
 
Certainly looks like a limited-lifetime design. Could you mention the brand and/or model?
If it's Maytag I'll choke
Mark
 
He has 30 and no new parts, so my guess is a commercial washing operation.

I would remake the whole piece that has the teeth, cut off the old piece and bolt/ pin in the new one from the back (countersink the bolt heads obviously). You'd need to make sure the new piece forms the side of the channel properly, but that shouldn't be too hard.

I'd make it out of bronze or cast iron, ie. a dissimilar metal to the presumably steel gear. Definitely wouldn't make it out of alu, you'll just have the same problem all over again.
 
If you have 30 of these awaiting repair, it is definitely a poor design. A stronger rack is in order. The problem would be how to integrate it with the part so it works in the assembly. This is difficult to work out without a three view sketch but it appears that the cylindrical bar provides a guide surface as well as backing.
There is not enough material between the root of the rack teeth and the cylindrical guide surface for a partial removal of the existing rack. I would machine enough material to provide a stable mounting surface, install a steel rack, and run securing fasteners into the body. Because of the forces involved, I would also use dowel pins to prevent sideways movement of the rack. Finally, because the backside of the rack would also be sliding on the cylindrical bar, I would add a bearing surface.
Here is my concept of your part. I would mill out the rack to the dashed line and run horizontal fasteners to secure the rack. Counter sink the fastener to bring them below the pinion teeth.
WM.JPG
 
chips&more said:
Can you buy a new part? Sometime the replacement part(s) are made better realizing their mistakes. How about buying a new washing machine that does not have that kind of transmission?
Click to expand...
The part is discontinued and out of stock, no new replacement, unless you buy the whole transmission. The new transmission does not fair much better. These are commercial washers, about 30 of them have this problem. Eventually, they will all be replaced. We need a solution in the interim.
 
GenesisOfMoY said:
This is my problem:
View attachment 258112
My local machinist says he does not have the means to fix or duplicate this, particularly the blind corner.
It is aluminium. I need to fix about 30 of them with the same problem. The original part is discontinued and out of stock.
I have a few ideas, if you kind folks would indulge me in the pros and cons of each, or just tell me how. heh heh.
1. build a mold, recast it.
2. fabricate a new one from a block of aluminium. ....
Click to expand...

It looks like there's a sliding U, a sliding ], and a rack.
Wear in the sliding U causes the rack to loosen and lose teeth.
So, it's not clear that measurement on the worn units will give you the
right dimensions.

(1) sounds good, but it looks complex
(2) is a problem, because it's NOT aluminum, it's some kind of light alloy that self-lubricates
against steel ( Zincaloy? Zamak?). It'll cast dandy, but could machine funny.

If there's a market for rebuilt transmissions, you might want to consider making a mold,
and selling the part to rebuilders (or become a rebuilder). Seek mold-maker
talent in your neighborhood, sit down and talk with them. Any surface except the
gear teeth would be easy to machine into a rough casting.
 
I was just at my local laundromat doing a comforter that doesn't fit in my machine- many of their machines were out of service- now I know why
Mark
ps you haven't mentioned cost yet- I suspect that this is a money-losing proposition no matter which way you approach it- sorry to be so negative
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top