After ordering a new tub seal, bearing, etc. including the transmission and shaft assembly, the new assembly was not tapped for threads. Conversation with customer service revealed that manufacturer has changed the part to be non-threaded for some stupid reason. Supposed to receive self-tapping bolts to cut my own threads. Lady said she'd get those to me overnight. What I received was bolts identical to old ones, not self-tapping. Therefore, I will go to Lowe's, purchase a tap and die set for $20 and tap the holes myself, then use the bolts the way intended in the first place. This is one glaring example of why we are losing jobs to China. Really dumb decision on someone's part which causes major frustration to the customer. I will never purchase a GE appliance again.

The original part appears to have been tapped. Close inspection of the bolts reveals that they are not self-tapping (don't have the "notch" down the length. I bought a tap, threaded the housing. Machine back together and working fine. Still, GE is on my avoidance list, done with them. Putting the machine back together, I know why the seal leaked...nothing to hold it in place except friction of it pushed into the plastic tub. No nut, washer, etc. to hold it there as there is space between the squared portion of the shaft and the round part. When the washer, split ring assemble, there's almost 1/4" between them and the seal. So the seal can just back out over time, I suppose. Anyway, the nightmare is over and life resumes until the next time the washer conks, then it will be shot and sent to the metal recyclers and I get a Maytag or Whirlpool.

Well, maybe so, but it's still a horror to have to perform all the work I did for a three dollar seal failure. No more GE for me. And to think I flew an Air Force fighter equipped with two GE J-79 engines for a few years.....