The name “agitator” is given specifically to this component in the washing machine. It is designed to illustrate the purpose of the part inside the washing machine drum.
In essence, the washing machine agitator is supposed to agitate the drum to cause it to move while going through a cycle.
It looks like a screw and is supposed to push the clothes around inside the drum. You will see it as soon as you take a look into the drum.
However, what if the washing machine agitator broke off?
If the washing machine agitator broke off, start by unplugging the machine. Next, remove the top agitator cap, take off the inner cap, and use a wrench to remove the agitator bolt. After this, take out the agitator, separate it from the bolt, and replace it. Put everything back and plug the machine in.
In some cases, you might be dealing with a loose agitator bolt.
This means you can look to tighten the bolt if it is already loose when you get to that step. This is rare but it is something to look into.
In that case, the washing machine agitator might not be as broken as you think it is.
This article is going to look at what to do if the washing machine agitator broke off.
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How To Fix Broken Washing Machine Agitator
1. Disconnect The Washing Machine
To get started with the washing machine agitator removal, you will need to make sure the power is off.
Do not attempt to fix this part of the washing machine without turning off the power supply running into the appliance.
This is dangerous and it is a risk you don’t want to take.
It is also recommended to have full access to the washing machine agitator while attempting to take it out.
To do this, you are going to pull the washing machine out to make sure you can work on it from different angles based on how you reach into the drum.
2. Remove The Agitator And Inner Caps
Now, you are going to begin working on the removal process.
To do this, you are going to want to take off the cap sitting at the top of the washing machine agitator.
This is known as the agitator cap.
You can likely pull it off with your hand. Otherwise, use a screwdriver to wedge it into the gap and then pull upwards to get it off.
Once done, you are going to do the same for the inner cap sitting on top. This should come off easily.
3. Remove The Agitator Bolt Using Wrench
At this point, you are going to have full access to what is known as the agitator bolt.
This is the bolt that is holding the agitator into place within the washing machine drum. You are going to look to use a wrench to loosen it.
If it is already loose, try tightening it to see if that was the reason for it not working. Sometimes, this is the real issue rather than a completely broken washing machine agitator.
If it is not loose, use the wrench to take out the bolt and then pull the agitator.
It should come out as soon as the bolt is off.
This is key if the washing machine agitator is loose or damaged.
4. Disconnect Agitator From The Base And Replace It
The agitator will now come out.
You are going to set it on the floor and look at the base. This is going to be the second part connected to the agitator on top.
You are going to want to separate these two parts from each other.
To do this, you can simply pull on the agitator and it will come out.
Once done, you are going to take a compatible agitator and insert it into the base. If it is a good fit, you will now go back and re-install the base to the washing machine drum.
Final Thoughts
These are the most important things to consider if the washing machine agitator broke off.
If the washing machine agitator broke off, start by unplugging the appliance from the socket. Next, remove both the agitator and inner caps using a screwdriver. Once done, use a wrench to loosen the agitator bolt, take out the agitator, and separate it from the base. Now, insert the new agitator into the base.
This is going to make sure the washing machine agitator is fully replaced and ready to go.
Once you are done, you can put it all back together and re-test how the agitator works.
In most situations, it should work well and turn out the way you want it to.
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