How to Replace the Thrust Spacer in Your Roper Washing Machine

The thrust spacer, which is also referred to as a retainer ring, sits between the top half and lower half of your washer’s agitator. Due to normal wear and tear, the small plastic ring can wear out. When this occurs, your Roper washer model RTW4516F will exhibit certain symptoms, such as, the upper agitator not agitating enough, or your machine may emit a chattering noise during agitation. Taking the agitator assembly apart and replacing the thrust spacer will resolve both symptoms. 

How to Replace the Thrust Spacer in Your Roper Washing Machine

Before you start taking your washer apart, make sure you unplug it from the wall or turn it off at the circuit breaker; otherwise, you risk electrocution. Work gloves and safety goggles are also necessary, and should be worn throughout the repair.

1. Open the washer lid, and pry the fabric softener dispenser off the top of the agitator. Now that you’ve gained access to the agitator bolt, use a socket wrench and extension, to unthread it. Once the bolt is loose, reach into the washer tub and grab the bottom of the agitator to pull it out of your washing machine.
2. Before you can replace the worn thrust spacer, you need to separate the top half and bottom half of the agitator. To do so, simply step on the lower half of the component and pull up on the upper half. Once the two sections come apart, you should find the thrust spacer sitting on top of the agitator’s lower half.
3. Take the worn thrust spacer off the agitator and get rid of it. Before installing the new thrust spacer, rub a small amount of grease on the top of the component Then, set the part down on top of the bottom half of the agitator.
4. With the new thrust spacer installed, you can start reassembling your appliance. First, put the top and bottom halves of the agitator back together. Then, slide the agitator back on your washer’s transmission shaft. Once it’s situated, secure the agitator with the bolt you removed earlier. After you’ve tightened the bolt, put the fabric softener dispenser back on the agitator.
5. Close your washer lid, and plug-in your appliance. With the new thrust spacer installed, your appliance should no longer have issues agitating during a wash cycle.

If a worn thrust spacer isn’t the cause of your washer’s malfunction, and you can’t pinpoint the problem, please contact us today to schedule an appliance repair appointment.