The Whirlpool washer coupler takes the place of the belt that is used on the older style washers. If your washer does not agitate or spin, there is a good chance the coupler is broke. The best way to change the coupler is to remove the cabinet. This is easier then it sounds. The first thing you need to do (after disconnecting the power) is to loosen the control panel. There are four different designs. The most common control panel is held in place to the cabinet with two screws at the base of the panel, on the right and left edge. The next common style is there are two screws on the backside of the panel on the right and left side. The third design is there are trim pieces attached to the control panel on each end. These trim pieces will pop off with a simple tug at the top After you remove the trim, you will find two screws in the front corners. The newest design is that there are spring style clip under the end caps of air accessories kits the control panel. You can release these clips with a butter knife or scrapper. You need to push the tool under the end caps and raise the control panel.

Tools you will need are: 1/4" or 5/16" socket or nut driver, standard screw driver, small hammer, 1/2" socket with extension, pliers.

After you have loosened the panel, all you do is lift it upward and let it rest over the back panel of the washer. Now we need to disconnect the lid switch harness and remove the cabinet from the frame. To do this, you need to locate a spring clip on the outer edge of the top of the cabinet. You can release these clips by using a screw driver or sharp tool. Once you get the clips released, grab the cabinet and pull it toward you. The cabinet should hinge at the bottom front. Now you can pull the cabinet away from the frame and set it off to the side. Now you will need to release the clips that hold the pump to the motor. Take the clips completely off the motor. Next you need to take the screws out of the clips that hold the motor to the transmission and remove the clips using a standard screw driver. After these clips are removed, the motor should just fall toward the floor. Next you will need to unplug the motor wire harness from the motor and set the motor off to the side. At this point, you should be able to see all three parts to the coupler. Remove all three parts from the transmission and motor with a standard screw driver and inspect them for any cracks or broken parts. If the coupler is not broke in any way, there will probably be a problem with the transmission.

Now you are ready to install the new coupler. First put one piece (white plastic piece) on the transmission shaft. This is where you need the 1/2" socket and extension. Line up the coupler to the shaft of the transmission and tap it on the rest of the way with the 1/2" socket. You will not need to use much force. Repeat this process when putting the coupler on the motor. The third part of the coupler actually connects the motor and transmission together. You need to line up the post on the coupler with the holes in the rubber piece. Once this is done, put the clips back on the motor and reinsert the screws. Now you can plug the harness to the motor and reinstall the clips that hold the pump to the motor.

You are almost there. The cabinet is next to be put back on the frame. Push the front on the cabinet under the front edge of the frame and then let the cabinet fall towars the back panel. The side panels of the cabinet should rest on the frame tightly. If the side are bowing out, one side at a time you need to push the rear edge of the panel inward and lock on the frame. Reinstall the spring clips at the top and plug in the lid switch. Roll the control panel back over the cabinet and reinstall the screws or clips.