Chat with us
Open today 9am-6pm CT
0GE Washer Won’t Agitate – Air Bell Coupler
Some GE built washing machines use a piece called a air bell coupling to connect the agitator to the transmission. To access this part you need to remove the agitator, to do this you need to grab the base of the agitator and firmly pull up on it. There are no bolts/nuts holding it down. Once the agitator has been removed you will see the air bell coupler, there is a single bolt on the top of it to remove it. With the air bell coupling removed take a close look at the splines on the inside of it, the splines should go ALL the way through. If any of it is stripped out, then it needs to be replaced.
Notice in the picture above that the splines only go for about 1/8″ before it strips out. Past that it is all rounded out on the inside. That is what will cause the agitator not to move.
this process is so easy to follow, all you need is a little manpower.
I have a GE washer Mod# S5100D1WW. I am trying to remove the air bell coupler. After removing the softener basket and agitator I took out the 7/16″ bolt and tried to remover the coupler. It is stuck. I have used a small pry bar and block of wood, and have shaken the tub rather violently but to no avail. I have tapped on the couple with a small ball peen hammer and also the side of the coupler; this has not been successful either.
If it is stuck, you might have to break it off.
Use a 3-jaw gear puller to get underneath while exerting force in the middle with the center bolt. They sell pullers like these at Harbor freight.