[eslocum]

Our washing machine agitator is not turning.
We noticed that during a wash cycle, the machine sounded normal but the agitator wasn't turning.

Can anyone offer a best guess on where the problem lies, and for this particular model what should be my first step in determining the source of the problem.

Thanks in advance.

[PS Staff - Sheila]

Check and see if the drum will spin.

If it does not spin or agitate then it is probably what is called the drive coupler.

Here is a link to your washer model LST7233DQ0.

Here is what the drive coupler looks like.

[eslocum]

I finally took apart the drive assembly (someone should have told me to work from the bottom).
Anyway i was expecting the "Drive Coupler" to be torn or damaged, it seems to be ok.

Once again, the drum does spin on the rinse cycle. During the wash cycle, the agitator was sitting idle. I only noticed because I happened to open the washer because otherwise it sounded normal.
Any other suggestions ?

[PS Staff - Sheila]

It could be a problem with the agitator itself.

You will have to take the agitator of to see.

Go to the breakdown of the washer and look at the agitator assembly.

[eslocum]

Once again, back into the fray...
I put everything back together again, to make additional observations.
Initially the agitator seemed to work, when I had a minimal amount of water for a test load.

On a medium load, the agitator is weak. It seems turns only in one direction (clockwise) when assisted by hand.

I removed the agitator as suggested and the gears did not appear to be worn. What could I be missing ?

[eslocum]

I found a broken piece of one of the "tub wear pads".
What do these do? Could this have anything to do with my agitator problem?

Is it possible that the drive coupling can be in tact but weak?
None of the holes are broken, but some of them are slightly elongated.
Thanks

[PS Staff - Sheila]

Your problem may be in the transmission.

[eslocum]

I've removed the GearCase (this is the home of the transmission i assume)
When I manually spin the drive coupler spindle clockwise the shaft moves
in a manner that indicates spin, when I spin it counter-clockwise the drive
shaft moves in an agitate fashion.
I try to hold the shaft to retard the agitate but cannot.
(When the machine is running the agitation is weak)

If it is a tranmission problem, how do I confirm this?
And if confirmed, do I replace or repair ?

If the latter, I've also introduced a secondary problem.
After leaving the washer on it's side over night, the gear case oil has seeped
out of the little hold on the top of the gear case.
How do I replace this oil and with what type ?

[PS Staff - Sheila]

Look on the transmission and you will see the agitator actuator number 28.

In order to verify that you will have to take the transmission apart.

I will have to look up the number for the fluid.