Genuine Appliance Parts
Welcome to Your Washing Machine Parts Resource
RepairClinic.com Help Video - Motor Coupling Replacement Video
- How to Find Genuine Washing Machine Parts
- Different Types of Washing Machines
- How Washers Work
- Tub
- Central Agitator
- Motor & Pump
- Fill Valve
- Timer & Selector Switches
- Clutch & Brake Mechanism
- Motor Coupler &/or Belt
- Keeping your Washing Machine Well-Maintained
- Maintenance Calendar
How to Find Genuine Washing Machine Parts
If your washing machine is not performing its task of washing the laundry as well as it should, or if it is broken, you will have no problem finding the right part for the particular type and brand of your machine.
All you need to do is visit RepairClinic.com.
RepairClinic experts can assist you in properly diagnosing your washing machine for electrical, plumbing, hardware, or other problems. The vast majority of parts can be shipped to you overnight. Rare and hard-to-find parts for older machines can be special ordered and will be sent to you as soon as possible.
Detailed washer illustrations (for most brands and types) are available to help you in troubleshooting your appliance problem and fixing your washer on your own.
Our partners also provide a wide selection of useful and helpful washer repair, maintenance and part testing videos. Visit and find out.
Different Types of Genuine Washers
Genuine washing machines come in three different styles.
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| Front-Load Washer | Top-Load Washer | Washer/Dryer Combination |
How Washing Machines Work
Washing machines come in 2 major styles: front loaders and top loaders. The two styles have some common characteristics, but there are also a number of differences in the way they operate.
Tub or Inner Tub
Central Agitator
The agitator, on top loading washers, pivots clockwise and counterclockwise, plunging the clothes through the water again and again, so they can be washed. The clothes move from the top of the tub to the bottom and then back again. This motion allows the detergent and the water to reach every part of clothing and to loosen the dirt. On front load washers, there are no agitators.
Motor & Pump
The motor drives the agitator in top loading washers. In front loading machines, the motor is what creates the movement during the wash cycle and spins then the clothes during the damp dry or spin cycle. The pump removes the water from the tub and lifts it out to the drain, in both kinds of washers
Fill Valve
The fill valve is a part the size of a coffee cup; it is also called a "water inlet valve." The fill or inlet valve is what controls the entry of hot and cold water into the machine. The fill valve has 3 major components: hot-water solenoid, cold-water solenoid, and mixing valve body. The valve is located at the place where the hot and cold water from the house are hooked up to the washing machine..
Timer & Selector Switches
Timer switch is usually the largest dial on your unit's main control panel. Some switches are mechanical devices no unlike a simple clock. Others are electronic devices and have a digital readout. The timer runs in a pre-determined pattern - by providing electricity to all the components of the washing machine at the correct time and for the correct length of time.The Start switch is frequently part of the timer knob; when you set the timer to the proper cycle, you pull or push the knob to start the cycle. Selector switches or knobs have different designs from one washer to another. Genuine selector switches let you adjust to a number of different settings. For example, you can adjust the water temperature, spin speed, timer cycle, etc. For the most part, though, the washing machine completes the cycle selected on the timer, regardless of how these switches and knobs have been set.
Clutch & Brake Mechanism
Washing machine motors can start up and reach full speed in less than a second. This is much too fast for many of the components the motor drives and for this reason, most washers use an automatic clutch to dampen the effect of the motor starting up.
On some washers, the clutch is a combination of the drive belt slipping temporarily on a pulley and gradually tightening. On other machines, the clutch uses a drum-and-pad combination of components, similar to something you would find in a car. When the lid is raised on a top-loading unit, some functions cease to operate. On all machines, The spin cycle stops, because the drum is brought to a rapid halt.
Motor Coupler &/or Belt
Some washers connect the motor directly to the transmission by using a coupler - connection without a need for a belt. The coupler is a rubber disc 1 1/2 inches in diameter, and it is sandwiched between two plastic sprockets. Other washers use belts to connect the motor to the transmission or to the pump. A belt is a black, rubber, rope-like component; it is usually a loop of about 24-30 inches long. The belt provides a desirable 'weak link' in a washer. If the tub or agitator were to become stuck or jammed, the belt would be more likely to fail, in which case, the transmission and other critical components would be spared.
Keeping your Washing Machine Well Maintained
Water-Fill Hoses
The water hoses, made out of rubber, that came with your new washing machine may leak or burst as they get older. It is recommended preventive maintenance to check these hoses periodically for any sign of wear or weakness. Frequently, a small blister forms in the rubber, and this could make the hose rupture. Most manufacturers recommend replacing these hoses every 5 years or so. A safer alternative is to replace the rubber hoses with high quality stainless steel fill hoses, which are more rugged and longer-lasting.
Stainless steel water supply hoses
Leveling
When your washer is not perfectly level (and this means that all four legs need to be touching the floor) it can rock back and forth, bang loudly, and even start moving across the room. This is not good for your washer or stuff around it as the machine can cause damage to anything in its proximity. To fix this problem, use the adjustable front and back leveling legs to adjust the machine to its proper height. After that, tighten the lock nut up against the body of the machine to keep the leg from rotating.
Most washers have "self-adjusting" rear legs. You set these legs by tilting your entire machine unit forward onto its front legs and then setting the machine back down. The legs will adjust automatically in most cases. If they don't adjust, you may need to tilt your washer forward again and hit on the rear legs with the handle of a hammer to loosen them up. This procedure is quiet a bit easier to accomplish with a helper.
Surface Cleaning
Your washing machine has either a painted steel or a porcelain-coated steel cabinet. It is perfectly safe to use a little dish detergent and a damp rag to clean its surface. For more stubborn stains, if the surface is porcelain, you can safely use some non-abrasive cleanser.
Washing Machine Cleaner
Maintenance Calendar
RepairClinic technicians recommend that you check your washer water fill hoses for cracks, blisters, corroded fittings and leaks.
Washer Fill Tube
Cracks are a sign of a breakdown of the rubber material due to usage and aging. Blisters signal ruptures in the inner lining of the hose, and this means the hose may burst at any time. This can cause major flooding damage. Corroded fittings mean the hose has leaked sometimes in the past or is leaking at the present moment. If you don't replace the hose immediately, you may find the corroded fitting is almost impossible to remove due to rusting.
It is highly recommended that you replace the hoses if they have any of these conditions.
Washing machine water fill hoses need to be replaced every three to five years on the average, regardless of whether there is a visible defect. For even more peace of mind, use stainless steel fill hoses.
Also, check that your washer is level and sitting on a well-supported sub-floor. One of the leading causes of washer failure and customer complaints, is a unit that bangs around after being unbalanced by many loads.
Another good advice is to check your washer to be sure that no water is dripping into it when it's turned off. If even just a bit of water is dripping in, it's a sign the water inlet valve is defective and should be replaced.
