Should The Agitator Spin Freely In A Washing Machine? (Solved) -

When a washing machine is running through the spin cycle, it’s important to understand how the various mechanisms function.

This is important as the washer might not go through the spin cycle properly or won’t clean the clothes because the agitator is malfunctioning.

This is when you will want to ask, should the agitator spin freely?

Yes, the agitator should spin freely in a washing machine. This is to make sure the clothes are washed thoroughly. To fix the agitator, start by unplugging the machine, unscrewing the agitator cap, pulling the agitator out with the base, and then loosening the locknut.

This is how you are going to make sure the washing machine’s agitator does work as it should.

This guide is going to show you how to fix a washing machine agitator that is too rigid.

Table of Contents

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How To Fix Rigid Washing Machine Agitator

1. Unplug The Washer

It’s best to start by disconnecting the washer from the outlet.

The reason for doing this is to make sure you don’t turn on the washing machine while fixing it or damage it due to power running through the appliance.

This happens more often than it should.

You will want to take the time to see if the power is going to that part of the property and also ensure the washing machine has been fully disconnected before getting started.

This is a must.

You will want to take a look at the machine from the inside, which means taking the agitator out.

This can only happen when it is disconnected. You might also have to pull the machine away from the wall to make sure you can access the agitator from the top.

2. Unscrew The Agitator Cap

The agitator is going to be sitting in the middle of the washing machine drum when you open the door.

It is the first thing you are going to see looking in.

This is why you will also notice the agitator cap that sits on top. This is going to be your focus when you begin to take out the washing machine’s agitator to ensure it is not rigid in the future.

The goal here is to work on loosening the agitator cap.

To do this, you should be able to spin it with your hand. In some models, you will need to use a screwdriver to pull it out. This will also include the inner cap sitting underneath the agitator cap.

3. Pull Out The Agitator With The Base

You are now going to have the caps in your hand.

You are going to put both the agitator and inner caps to the side for later. You will need them to re-install the agitator when you have worked on fixing it.

The goal now is to pull out the washing machine’s agitator as soon as you can. You are going to need to apply a bit of force to yank it out.

In some models, you might have to loosen the agitator with a screwdriver to get it out.

You should hear it click out as soon as you pull it. This is a sign the agitator will come out as you keep pulling at it.

4. Loosen The Locknut

Now, it is time to look at what was causing the washing machine’s agitator to remain rigid.

In general, the reason has a lot to do with the locknut that sits between the agitator and the base. You are going to have a situation where this locknut is simply too tight.

You will need to loosen it.

You are going to require a wrench to work on the locknut. Do this as patiently as possible and make sure you are not loosening it to the point where it falls off.

Just loosen it a little and then re-install the agitator the same way you took it off.

This is a must.

Final Thoughts

Should the agitator spin freely?

The agitator should spin freely in a washing machine. To fix this issue, unplug the washer, pull it forward, remove the agitator cap using a screwdriver, pull out the agitator with its base, and loosen the locknut using a wrench.

This is the only way to fix the issue.

If you feel the agitator is damaged, it is best to replace it with a compatible alternative. This is the only option as the agitator is not going to spin as it needs to. This will cause the washing machine to become useless.

Go through these steps and make sure to re-install the agitator properly once you are done.

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