repairwashing-machine
I'm attempting to disassemble a GE Hotpoint washer (model# htw200ask2ww) in order to check (and likely replace) the suspension rod.
Every video, guide, and manual online says that to open all top-loading GE washers, you remove the front-panel and unlatch the lid using a putty knife. However, this washer doesn't have a front-panel, and there don't seem to be any latches!
(I shoved a putty knife under the lid every which way, with no luck)
How the hell do you open this thing?
I found this doing a web search and think it will be helpful:
“5-5 AGITATOR Most GE-designed washing machine agitators are not fastened to the shaft by any screws or bolts. To remove, simply tug upwards on the bottom of the agitator. There are exceptions; see "handwash" agitators below.
If you find that you cannot remove the agitator by pulling on it, try tapping the top of the agitator gently with a rubber or wooden mallet. If you still cannot remove the agitator, pry off the plastic cap in the center. Then cut out the little piece of plastic in the center of the hub with a knife; this will expose the top of the agitator shaft. (Figure GE-6)Hit it with a little WD-40 to loosen it.
GE-designed agitators have a removable rubber spline insert that connects the agitator to the transmission shaft splines (Figure GE-6.) If the splines are stripped, you can replace the whole agitator, or just the rubber spline insert.
Figure GE-6: Agitator Hub
To remove the insert, remove the plastic cap and cut out the center plastic piece as described above. Push out the old spline insert (it can be difficult.) To replace, put the new insert onto the top of the transmission shaft and push the agitator down onto it.
Hotpoint and JC Penney have a "handwash" agitator on some designs. The "handwash" agitator is actually a small agitator that fits inside the larger, main agitator. The "handwash" agitator has a small screw underneath the metal disc on top of the agitator; make sure you remove it before trying to pull up on the "handwash" agitator. There are locking tabs that you must twist to remove the larger agitator from the smaller one.
Once the screw is removed, the "handwash" agitator should lift out easily. If not, tap with a rubber mallet a described above, or shoot some WD-40 into the screw hole.”
Source: http://www.appliancerepair.net/washing-machine-repair-5.html
After letting it sit overnight unplugged, the manual release worked. Problem solved...now on to figuring out what's wrong with it.
Best Answer
I'm not certain what part you're referring to replacing, but PartSelect has diagrams of all the component parts (and sells some of them). If you need to get completely into the cabinet, it doesn't look like there's a panel to remove & may need to be accessed from above. It appears the top panel is held in place by spring clips (328) and a couple screws (570)? But it looks like you may have to take off the controls to get to those screws.
I'm not an appliance repair technician, so take my ideas as you would any other from a stranger on the internet.
HTW200ASK2WW General Electric Washer - Overview