[jemsw]

My whirlpool washer has worked perfectly for the past 11 1/2 years. About 8 days ago I noticed the spin cycle had not removed as much water from my denims as it usually did. I moved the clothes around and ran the spin cycle again. The jeans were fine.
Then, a couple of days ago, the washer began shuddering, and making a tremendous amount of noise - just as it does when it's off balance. I redistributed the clothes more evenly in the basket, noticing my jean pant legs were all twisted and knotted up.
I restarted the machine, but within a few seconds it began shuddering and making the same noice again. Thinking I hadn't redistributed the clothes properly, I started to move the clothes around and realized the basket was moving very easily from side to side and back to front. Enough that it would hit the sides of the outer tub.
The denim jeans are not big and bulky, they made with that light-weight stretchy stuff.
Just prior to this load I had run a load of nighthirts and PJs. I did notice that a couple of the cotton items were heavier with remaining water but it didn't really register until I washed the jeans.

[ApplianceJunk]

The drive block maybe stripped out. If it is then the drive block will need to be replaced.