Kenmore Series 80 Agitator Top Half Slipping

Kenmore Series 80 Agitator Top Half Slipping

Dan -- Wednesday, 10 October 2001, at 12:50 p.m.

I just bought a house that came with a Kenmore Heavy Duty 80 Series washer with a "Dual Action" agitator. The top half of the agitator doesn't seem to move much during any wash cycles, and I can spin it faily freely by hand. I don't know much about the design of it, though, so can someone tell me how it's supposed to behave? If it's not supposed to be slipping like this, can you let me know what what gear or part is likely to be worn out?

Re: Kenmore Series 80 Agitator Top Half Slipping

Dan O. -- Wednesday, 10 October 2001, at 7:05 p.m.

: The top half of the agitator doesn't seem to move
: much during any wash cycles, and I can spin
: it fairly freely by hand.

Hi,

Sounds like you have a Whirlpool built Kenmore 'direct drive' washer where the agitator dogs may be worn out. Those are responsible for working the top part of the dual (2-piece) agitator.

The following link has info on these that should help:

LINK > Whirlpool / Kenmore / Roper / KitchenAid Washer, Agitator Dog Replacement

You can either just replace the 'dogs' themselves or they also come in a kit with their cam which can also wear and cause new dogs to wear out prematurely if not replaced together.

LINK > Agitator Dogs Only
LINK > Agitator Cam and Dogs Kit

JFYI

Dan O.

Re: Kenmore Series 80 Agitator Top Half Slipping

Dan -- Thursday, 11 October 2001, at 12:29 a.m.

Yes, I took it apart and they look worn - thanks!

One more question. The parts list shows an optional fabric softener dispenser as part of the agitator assembly. My machine doesn't have one of those right now. Is it possible to add that part onto my assembly if I buy it when I get the dogs, or does that dispenser only fit specific machines? And does it actually do anything useful, beyond what can be accomplished by dumping fabric softener in by hand when the rinse cycle starts?

Mine is a Kenmore 110.82881800, made by Whirlpool.

Re: Kenmore Series 80 Agitator Top Half Slipping *LINK* *PIC*

Dan O. -- Thursday, 11 October 2001, at 7:19 p.m.

: Yes, I took it apart and they look worn - thanks!

I told you so! ;)

: One more question. The parts list shows an
: optional fabric softener dispenser as part
: of the agitator assembly. My machine doesn't
: have one of those right now. Is it possible
: to add that part onto my assembly if I buy
: it when I get the dogs, or does that
: dispenser only fit specific machines?

: Mine is a Kenmore 110.82881800, made by Whirlpool.

The fabric softener that comes up for your model should fit.

: And does it actually do anything useful, beyond
: what can be accomplished by dumping fabric
: softener in by hand when the rinse cycle starts?

To use it, you place it on the top of the agitator and fill it up with the appropriate amount of softener. After the first spin/drain, the dispenser lets it out into the rinse water. It works using the centrifugal force of the spin cycle itself, no mechanics involved. No intervention by you is needed (other than filling the dispenser each load).

You can see the dispenser for yours and other Whirlpool built direct drive washers linked below.

JFYI

Dan O.
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Kenmore by Whirlpool Fabric Softener Dispenser