Whirlpool: How to replace the dog kit of direct drive washers

Thes units have litlle plastic dogs that make the agitator agitate, and when they break it will stop.
Remove the agitator and inside there are 3 to 4 plastic dogs or ears and these are more than likely bad.
Pry the agitator cap off by inserting a screwdriver into the cap's notch

2) Pull the inner cap (if present) off - many Whirlpool machines use this inner cap, with a handle, to gain access to the center bolt

3) Remove the bolt in the center of the agitator (earlier models used a 7/16" hex-head steel bolt)
On older models, grasp the bottom portion of the agitator and pull the entire assembly out of the washer. (Some recent models allow just the top portion's removal to access these 'dogs')

5) Older models - place the agitator on the floor, and, standing carefully on the bottom portion, pull the top half off. Turn it over, and the dogs will be accessible for replacement.

6) Newer model dogs can be replaced once just the ratchet ***'y is removed. There are several versions currently in use, but most can be replaced without removing the bottom agitator half. All '4-dog' versions use the 285770 (or #80040) kit, regardless of the cam ***'y style. (Really old agitators, rarely seen now, used a pair of 2 larger dogs, which are a different part number)

7) On older versions, be careful to align the two tabs when inserting the upper ***'y back onto the agitator bottom half. When these are aligned, they will friction-fit the two halves together, making it easier to reinstall the ***'y. Handle it only by the bottom half to prevent pulling the top half off when reinstalling.

8) Lightly lubricate the agitator cap's rubber gasket using a bit of dishwasher detergent, and push it back into place. (On the Whirlpools with an inner cap, lube that cap's o-ring too - makes it easier to snap into place)

This problem is generally caused both by by overloading the machine and time. The kit to repair it is called an "Agitator dog kit" and can be purchased at any parts outlet for likely less than $10.

To replace the Agitator Dogs, follow these steps:

1. Remove the agitator center cap by either pulling straight up or gently placing a flat blade screwdriver into a slot located in the cap.
2. If the agitator is equipped with an inner cap with a handle, remove this as well by pulling straight up.
3. Remove the center bolt of the agitator. You will have either a 7/16” hex bolt or a recessed square plastic nut. If you have the square recessed type, use a 3/8” to ½” ratchet adapter to remove.
4. Remove the agitator by grasping the bottom flange and carefully pulling straight up. Try to keep all the parts assembled while doing this, so do not pull too hard. This will make this repair much easier.
5. Place your hand over the top of the agitator and separate the upper portion of the agitator from the lower portion and turn the top half over in your hand. The agitator dog assembly will come out in your hand.
6. With the agitator dog assembly in your hand, lay the rest of the agitator aside. Pay careful attention to how the dogs are installed. Remove the worn dogs and reinstall new ones. It’s that simple.
7. With all the dogs replaced and the assembly still in your hand, place the upper part of the agitator over the top of it, upside down, ensuring the inner assembly tabs align correctly.
8. Now keep your hand over the agitator top to hold all the pieces together and turn the entire assembly over (upright position).
9. Carefully align and reinsert the upper portion of the agitator to the lower portion. Again, making sure the two pieces align correctly.
10. Place the entire agitator assembly back on the gearcase shaft and reinstall center nut. NOTE: DO NOT over tighten the nut, or the agitator will not spin correctly. Just make the nut snug. Reinstall center cap and inner cap (if equipped).

Good Luck

Hi, The dog kit is bad inside the agitator. Here is how to change them.
To replace the dog kit in the agitator, remove the top cap/rinse dispenser and the inner bolt cover. Remove the 7/16” bolt and lift the agitator out of the washer. Separate the 2 halfs of the agitator and replace the dog kit inside the upper part of the agitator.
Please let me know if this helps you or if I can assist you further.

Thanks
Vic

Hi, If the washer spins properly but the agitator does not work, it could be the dog kit needs replaced. If the washer does not agitate or spin, it is probably the coupler.
Put the washer in wash cycle with no laundry in it and see if the lower prt of the agitator moves. If the agitator moves, try and hold the upper half of the agitator and see if it will only move one direction.The agitaor dog kit is designed to only let the top part of the agiator to grab one way. When they go bad, they can make some noise.
To replace the dog kit in the agitator, remove the top cap/rinse dispenser and the inner bolt cover. Remove the 7/16” bolt and lift the agitator out of the washer. Separate the 2 halfs of the agitator and replace the dog kit inside the upper part of the agitator.
Please let me know if this helps you or if I can assist you further.

Thanks
Vic

Two-Piece Agitator: Bottom Works, Top Does Not - Whirlpool brands

Some Whirlpool brands washing machines employ a two piece agitator. The bottom is call the agitator and the top is usually referred to a 'Mover'. A multi-piece cam and bearing assembly connects the two and allows the top portion to index.

If the bearing or cams become stripped or damaged, the mover will often not work. Fortunately, Whirlpool produces a cost effective agitator repair kit that replaces all of the critical components in this cam assembly. There are three different repair kits. They differ in the height of the cam.


Agitator Removal Instructions:


Remove Dispenser or Cap:
Some models of washing machines utilize a fabric softener dispenser that resides on top of the agitator. This dispenser simply snaps onto the top of the agitator. Other styles utilize a decorative cap. To remove the dispenser, simply grab it and firmly pull up. To remove the agitator cap, insert a small flat-head screw driver into the seam between the agitator cap and the upper agitator (mover). Use a twisting or prying action to pop the cap off of the agitator.

Remove Internal Debris Cap:
Inside the agitator you will see a cap with a raised handle, much like that of your automobile. Simply reach into the agitator and twist the cap while pulling up. This will remove the cap and its o-ring.

Remove Agitator Stud:
When looking into the agitator assembly, you will notice a single nut in the center of the agitator. Use a socket kit or nut driver to remove this bolt (agitator stud).

Remove the Upper Agitator (Mover):
With the bolt removed you should be able to remove the upper half of the agitator (mover) by simply pulling up. Sometimes pulling up will actually remove the whole agitator assembly. If this happens, place the Lower Agitator on the floor and stand on the flat lip. Then Pull up to separate the Upper Agitator (mover) from the Lower Agitator.

Remove the Cam and Clutch Dogs:
When you remove the upper agitator (mover) it contains the cam and clutch dogs. Tun the assembly upside down. The cam and dogs should then come out.

-- Stop Here if Replacing Cam Kit --

Remove O-ring:
The lower agitator remains on the transmission shaft. On the top of the agitator, there is an o-ring. Remove this o-ring.

Pull the Lower Agitator:
All that remains is the lower agitator. This can be removed by simply pulling straight up on the agitator.


Agitator Installation Instructions:

Set Lower Agitator:
Slide the lower agitator onto the transmission shaft. Rotate the lower agitator until the splines in the shaft match those in the agitator. Once aligned press the agitator down. Install the o-ring into the top of the lower agitator.

-- Start Here if Replacing Cam Kit --

Assemble Cam and Dogs:
Turn the cam upside down. Place the small round ear of the dog into the corresponding slot on the cam. Repeat this for each of the four cams.

Install Cam and Dogs into Upper Agitator:
Invert the Upper Agitator (mover) and slide the cam/dog assembly inside. The cam should be pushed into the mover until it shoulders. Then rotate the whole assembly upright.

Install the Upper Agitator (Mover) on the Lower Agitator:
The lower agitator has two tabs that stick up that are 180 degrees apart. These tabs fit into two slots on the bottom of the cam. Align the matching tabs and slots and place the Upper Agitator (mover) and cam assembly onto the lower agitator. Push down until the cam snaps onto the Lower Agitator. If the dogs fall out during this step it is necessary to return to the 'Assemble Cam and Dogs' section above and start over.

Install the Agitator Stud:
Place the bolt (agitator stud) into the hole in the bottom center of the cam. Use a socket kit or nut driver to tighten the bolt .

Install Internal Debris Cap:
Install the o-ring into the groove on the OD of the debris cap. With the o-ring in place, push the cap into the Upper Agitator (mover). It is important that the cap is pushed past the ports in the Upper Agitator (mover) so that the wash water can enter and exit as designed.

Install the Dispenser or Cap:
The final step is to replace the top cap. Both the cap and the dispenser simply snap into place. Just make sure they are installed as far down a they will go and are firmly in place.