Product review (5 stars): A challenging job but worth it
I'm not a newcomer to this repair, I had done it a few years ago on a similar machine, so knew just what to expect.

You'll know you need a new tranny when your machine sounds like a freight train roaring thru your house when it goes into spin cycle.  And from my previous research, there's no way to replace the worn bearing in this unit, and once it goes bad enough to make the racket, it'll only get worse and probably eventually self-destruct.

Your first problem could be pulling the agitator out, it does come out without any fasteners or the like, just some sharp upward yanks.  That wasn't working, so inserted some shims under the base from side to side until it popped free.  Some folks have used a rope to help with that.

Next, as many folks discover, you'll find removing the hub nut is, well, a tough nut. You can buy a special wrench, but that doesn't mean the nut will yield. It's an 1 11/16" size, good luck finding a deep socket that'll fit at a reasonable price.  After using various tools and hammers, I gave up and drilled, chiseled the old one out, it is aluminum so will break up, just try not to damage the tub hub itself.  Of course, you'll need a new nut so be sure to order that.

The next steps aren't so bad, this unit does come with a new seal (rubber) so you won't need that.

As far as the unit I got from Amazon (actually Amazon Warehousedeals), I selected what they called 'used', I thought long and hard about that, after all I wouldn't want a really used unit where the bearing is about to go anyway.  But read what Amazon means by that, and to confirm, the actual unit looked totally unused, the packaging was very secure, so saved a few bucks going that way.  And a whole lot versus an appliance store.

Before you go thru the expense and trouble of this job, you should evaluate the overall condition of your machine, if it's worth the investment or buying new.  That's always a risk but if you can do it yourself it's probably worth it.  I cringe to think what a professional repair would cost between list price and labor, that can't be cost effective.

Now what to do with the old unit...?...Boat anchor?