What is a vmw platform?

The VMW platform underpins an enormous number of American top-load washers sold under Whirlpool, Maytag, Amana, Roper and Kenmore badges. Its service characteristics are extremely well documented: the shift actuator is the signature failure, followed by the lid lock, the splutch kit and the drain pump. Because so many machines share it, parts are cheap and universally available — which makes these among the most economical washers to repair.