Top Agitator is not moving

Many toploading Whirlpool (and Kenmore -- they're made by Whirlpool) washing machines have a ratcheting agitator. The agitator moves only one direction instead of back and forth. There are small pieces (called agitator dogs) that allow this to happen. However, since they are mad out of rather soft plastic, they tend to wear out. The result is a ratcheting or growling noise during agitation (wash cycle) Luckily, they are reasonably cheap (usually under $20) and relatively easy to fix. Try to turn the agitator by hand. It should turn freely one direction and not the other. If it goes both ways freely or clicks and slips one way, you need new agitator dogs. Pull the cap off of the top of the agitator (there are usually two tabs on the side that must be depressed to do this) Remove the bolt in the center of the agitator. Pull out the plastic plate that is on top of the dogs (again, you may have to move two tabs to pull this out.) You should see dogs that look just like the new ones except with no teeth on them. Pull the old ones out and put the new ones in the same way. Reassembly is the same as disassembly except in reverse. It should be quieter and wash better now, as the agitator was barely turning before, if at all.