Kenmore 400 Washer clutch band Replacement

Written By: oldturkey03

Comments: 18

Kenmore 400 Washer clutch band Replacement

Difficulty

Moderate

Steps

Time Required

45 minutes - 1 hour

Introduction

Here is a Kenmore 400 model 11029422801 with a clutch that was slipping. The washer went through all the programs but left the laundry soaking wet after the spin cycle. It sounded like it was spinning, but when we checked the drum while spinning, we noticed that it was not achieving full spinning speed. This was most evident on heavy loads.

Tools

Parts

Clutch band kit Part #: 3951308

Step 1

Kenmore 400 washer that has difficulty spinning. It runs through the cycle but does not spin properly.
Open the lid
Remove cap from the agitator by using a flat tip screwdriver or similar.

Step 2

With the cap removed, a 7/16 hex bolt becomes visible.
Use a socket wrench with 4 inch extension to remove the bolt.
The agitator bolt measures 5/16 X 1 inches, 24 thread size

Step 3

With the bolt removed, pull the agitator of the shaft.
View of the drum with agitator removed
For ease of working on the bottom parts, lay the washer on its side.

Step 4

Main parts of the assembly include
Drain pump
Motor
Transmission
This is a direct drive model. No belts but a motor coupler connects the motor to transmission. Check for any cracks etc.
Remove the wiring harness from the motor

Step 5

Remove the wiring harness from the clip on the transmission
Drain lines from the drum and drain hose are connected to the pump with spring clamps.
Using a pair of pliers and squeezinge the opposite ends of the clamps together will loosen the clamp.

Step 6

Pull the drain hose of the pump
Remove the tub-to-pump hose the same way
Remove the three 1/2inch bolts.

Step 7

Here are the three bolts. They are 5/16 by 11/16 with a 1/2 inch hex head.
With the three bolts removed, pull the complete assembly out of the drum
With the assembly removed, the clutch is now completely visible.

Step 8

It is not necessary to replace the whole clutch. For this repair only the clutch band needs to be replaced
Using a pair of pliers to compress the spring will loosen the clutch band.
Lift the clutch band out of the clutch housing
Clutch band removed. Replace with model specific part.

our Kenmore 400 sometimes makes a loud humming noise and doesn’t spin. If I wiggle the agitator, it will resume spinning. Would you recommend changing out the clutch band?

thank you for your insight!

Bill

Bill Kipp -

Conclusion

To reassemble your device, follow these instructions in reverse order.

Author

oldturkey03

Member since: 29/09/10

796669 Reputation

17 comments

Would this repair fix a 80 series Kenmore washer with same problem of no high-speed spinning

Larry Simonetta -

Possibly but it depends on what is going on with it. This one spun just sluggish and not „forcefull“ enough. It pretty much stopped spinning with a full load because of the weak clutch

oldturkey03 - 06/11/21

How much do it cost to repair it

Ralph Lingelbach -

The complete repair kit was somewhere between USD $30-$40

oldturkey03 -

I'm a jack of all if I can get it out I can rebuild it im a maintenance man at chicken proscenium plant we got to fixs all of it

Ralph Lingelbach -

I have had the parts to complete this repair for about a week now. Problem is, I cannot seem to get the transmission and shaft assembly to pull out and give me access to the clutch assembly for replacement. Any advice? Everything else is removed including the blots, wiring, motor, pump, everything… just can't get the transmission removed.

Kristina Lillie -

You removed the bolts holding the transmission to the chassis? Check to make sure you got all of them. If everything on the bottom is removed, make sure that there is no issues on the top with the agitator etc.

oldturkey03 -

Wow after hours of searching and already completely disassembled so I could relate to each step this video showed me the problem was the cluch band. This allowes me to repair TWO washer demonstrating the same problems, both my sacrificial unit and my " good" washer. VERY, VERY HELPFULL!!

RRD -

I have a200 series and have replaced the agitator twice and it still won’t agitate. When I wash a load it does everything but agitates and I have noticed that after I washed the first load the bolt was loose enough to where I could twist it with my fingers I think it’s the part the bolt screws into? Do you have any

Suggestions of what it my be?

Tasha -

@tasha9030 which bolt? The one under the agitator?

oldturkey03 -

The one under the fabric softener top.

That bolts into the agitator

Tasha -

@tasha9030 there is a lot of torque on an agitator. It is possible that it a. is just not tighten to spec or b. that it does come loose because of the torque. It is not uncommon for washers to have something like a threadlocker, like Loctite Red,on the threads of the bolt. Red is pretty strong so if you think you may have to loosen the bolt in the near future again, use Loctite Blue first. There should also be a washer on the bolt. That washer helps the bolt to stay tight as well. The common torque for an agitator bolt is around 15-inch pounds of torque

oldturkey03 -

Ok there is only a rubber washer on it so I should put a loctite Washer on it?

Tasha -

@tasha9030 sorry for not making myself clear. Happens a lot :-) Anyhow, Loctite is a liquid that you apply to the thread of the bolt. The washer is a separate item. Take a look at the Agitator bolt in step 2 (last image) you can still make out the blue color on the thread. that is where the Loctite goes.

oldturkey03 - 25/04/24

Ok I see thank you for your help. Wish me luck..

Tasha -

My 400 Kenmore Machine is leaking transmission oil, how do I fix that?

Eldon -

you.ll have to tear the transmission apart and replace gasket and seals. If you are up for it, we can try and see if we have information available.

oldturkey03 - 05/08/24