Maytag washer - Agitator spins, drum does not

I have a Maytag mav2755aww washer that has problems. I ran a load a couple days ago… after it filled, it had a loud banging sound when it was agitating. After that, it spun, but did not spin very well - left the clothes very wet. I tried to re-run the spin cycle, but the drum stopped spinning, just drained the water out (pump works), and the agitator spins instead.

I’ve checked the belt - OK - the motor - OK - the pump - OK - and checked the thrust bearing - think it’s bad. I can’t get the alignment arrow to come up between the min and max indicators - it’s below the min indicator. Spinning the pulley clockwise turns the agitator; counter-clockwise it also spins the agitator.

I’ve ordered a thrust bearing kit, hoping that getting the thrust bearing where it needs to be will resolve the issue, but I have a sneaking suspicion the transmission or the brake assembly is toast. Is there a definitive way to test this before the thrust bearing kit goes in?

It doesn’t sound good. It sounds like a broken part inside the transmission.

Kind of expensive.

http://cdn.appliancepartspros.com/images/product/cache/whirlpool-socket-w-light-wpw10454648-ap6021675_03_l.jpg