My Whirlpool $399 WTW5550SQ0 top loader was 1 year old in January. It is now April, 3 months after the warranty expired, and the transmission just blew. A service technician came today and says I need a new Gearcase AP3096209 made by WHIRLPOOL $172.77 - $285 installed.
Q 1 -How hard is it to replace the gearcase? I can order the part online at Applicance Parts Pro for $143.75. If it’s just a few screws, can I do it? I have no washing machine repair experience but can follow diagrams.
Q 2 - If I can’t repair it, is it worth having it repaired at this cost? I can buy a new machine for that. This machine has been a lemon from the start. I really hate to invest any more cash into it!
Thanks!
FixItFreak
Hi Sidfink43,
I bought this Whirlpool at our local ABC Warehouse. It was delivered and installed by their personnel on January 9, 2008. The warranty expired January 9, 2009. I do wash for my son and I - so 2 people. Usually small to medium size loads, about every other day.
Last Saturday I was doing a medium size load and during the spin cycle heard a terrible noise coming from the laundry room. It’s like metal scraping, and sounds like a flat tire somewhat. So I called for service.
I called our local appliance repair man who’s been doing service for us for 20 years. He has 35 years experience in appliance repair and does Whirlpool top loaders. He was here today, took off the cabinet, and diagnosed the trouble as a bad transmission. He thought it was very bad news too.
I am heartbroken because this was a gift from my dad who just had a stroke. I’m not gonna tell him what happened. We can’t afford a new machine, that’s why my dad bought us this one. My son is disabled so we have to do laundry almost daily. I need to replace or repair this week.
Let me know if you need more info - thanks!
Hi FixIt
Thanks for the reply. Based in what you have said I feel a lot better about the conclusion that it was your transmission that failed. I think richappy’s analysis is probably correct, that a towel or something caused a jam during high spin, which eventually led to the failure.
His suggestion to inspect the coupling is a good one, and you will have to do it anyway on the way to replacing the transmission. Before you start you should read his article, then view this video,
[Clutch Replacement on Whirlpool and Kenmore Washers](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WLPGs2UMUJc"]YouTube - Direct Drive Washing Machine Repair Video Tutorial Watch in HIGH Quality![/URL]
and then read this article which talks about replacing the clutch, but tells you how to remove the transmission along the way and has good photos.
[URL="http://repair2000.com/wp_clutch.htm)
After you have confirmed it is the transmission, order the parts, put the machine back together and you are set to go.
I think (hope) that this was just a freak event and that your machine will work well from here on out. On the plus side once you have done this repair you will be able to fix about anything else on the machine yourself, and have only the cost of the parts.
Good luck and let us know how it turns out.
Right on, very good comments.
Hi all - The appliance man hauled away the broken Whirlpool WTW5550SQ0 for the $50 I owed him in service fees.
Well, assuming the GE works it sounds like this turned out about as well as could be expected.
When you get the machine post a reply with the serial number (found next to the model number) and we can tell you when the machine was manufactured.
I’m thinking I will shop around 
I was very impressed with the YouTube video from Appliance Mike:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WLPGs2UMUJc&feature=related
Makes me wish it was the coupler so I could go after it! If he’d released the one for the gearcase kit I might have tried it! I guess so much for my short lived career in DIY washer repair - LOL!