Rank: Member
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Joined: 3/30/2011(UTC)
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Whirlpool Duet Front loading washer (GHW9200LW) which is about 7 years old now.
The problem started a couple of months ago - we would hear a loud thumping sound as if the load was not balancing out properly. It used to happen very rarely but not it happens on just about every load. Also I notice that it is very easy to push the inner basket away from the front door seal and in fact some smaller articles of clothing have been caught in the seal area. I am thinking something is going wrong with the "suspension" of the tub - perhaps springs or something???
The only thing I can think of is a couple of months ago I built a shelf across the top of the washer and dryer so that things could not fall in between or behind them. The shelf rest directly on top of the washer and dryer - could this be preventing the washer from moving around slightly which contributed to the problem?
Any Ideas?
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Rank: Advanced Member
Groups: Senior Expert
Joined: 3/29/2009(UTC)
Posts: 11,699
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I don't think you damaged it with the shelf. It is more likely the support strut is broken. Take off the top and back and check out the supports and the springs.
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Rank: Member
Groups: Registered
Joined: 3/30/2011(UTC)
Posts: 2
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Thanks for the reply
Actually I took it a part this morning > all four of the shock absorbers are broken off where they mount to the tub. So the tub is just hanging from the 3 springs.
New parts on order, looks to be around $20 per shock x4.
I am kind of surprised that they broke off like that. Is there an easy way to remove the plastic piece where it attaches to the tub? It looks like you need to pry up on two little plastic tabs while you rotate the piece 90 degrees?
Also, what would cause these to break?
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Rank: Advanced Member
Groups: Senior Expert
Joined: 3/29/2009(UTC)
Posts: 11,699
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Well you beat us to the punch and found the problem, good going. Yes you are correct on removing the shocks. Here is the description from the service manual. REMOVING THE SHOCK ABSORBERS
The tub is held in position by four shock absorbers,
two in front and two at the back.
Each shock absorber can be disconnected from
the tub by turning the top of the shock mount
counter clockwise, 90°. The shock can be removed
from the washer by turning the bottom
shock mount counterclockwise, 90°.
These supports are a weak spot in these models. Probably one broke and the lack of support caused the others to fail. This is one reason I do not like front loaders, the pressure is vertical to the horizontal axis of the machine. But if you need or want a front loader, that's what it has to be.
Good luck on your repair.
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Rank: Member
Groups: Registered
Joined: 7/7/2012(UTC)
Posts: 2
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Originally Posted by: sidfink43  Well you beat us to the punch and found the problem, good going. Yes you are correct on removing the shocks. Here is the description from the service manual. REMOVING THE SHOCK ABSORBERS
The tub is held in position by four shock absorbers, two in front and two at the back.
Each shock absorber can be disconnected from
the tub by turning the top of the shock mount
counter clockwise, 90°. The shock can be removed
from the washer by turning the bottom
shock mount counterclockwise, 90°.
These supports are a weak spot in these models. Probably one broke and the lack of support caused the others to fail. This is one reason I do not like front loaders, the pressure is vertical to the horizontal axis of the machine. But if you need or want a front loader, that's what it has to be.
Good luck on your repair.
I'm having the same problem and my shock absorbers are not broken but they seem very weak and move very freely. Are these shock absorbers supposed to be replaced? My machine is almost 10 years old now.
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Rank: Advanced Member
Groups: Senior Expert
Joined: 3/29/2009(UTC)
Posts: 11,699
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Yes, after that period of time replacing them is probably warranted.
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