[Red.Jimbo]

My washer needed a new gearcase. I ordered a replacement, and installed it. Everything went as expected until I tested the spin cycle.

After reassembly, I ran the washer through a test cycle without any clothes. Fill was good, agitation was good, draining cycle was good, but the Spin cycle was all wrong. Now, during the spin cyle, the tub shakes excessivly, even with no clothes in the washer.

I've checked the agitator, it seems to be on and tight. All of the springs holding up the tank assembly underneath look like they are in the right place (I never moved or removed any of them either). The motor is secure to the gearcase and there is no play between the motor and the gearcase. The three bolts holding the gearcase on are all tight and secure.

What did I miss? Why is the spin cycle all cattywampus?

[Red.Jimbo]

After further investigation, I was able to discover the balance problem. The triangular suspension plate was out of place under the tub.

In the process of laying down the washer to complete the gearcase replacement, the suspension plate got it self wedged in between the tub and the base assembly. This suspension plate is supposed to be free to wiggle slightly.

For those who travel down this dark path behind me: Between the bottom of the tub and the legs on the base assembly, there is a triangular plate they call the suspension plate. It should be free to move. It will only be limited by six plastic feet underneath the tub. It should be able to move about a half inch in all directions.

One other thing to note, once the washer is upright, the tank should be able to move back and forth and side to side freely, but then should easily center itself softly by the use of the springs underneath the tub. If the tub tries to find a position out of center, or does not move smoothly side to side, you may be experiencing the same problem I had.

In my case, this plate had got itself wedged between one of the plastic feet on the bottom of the tub and the base Assembly support frame. it would not move at all in any direction. A few light taps with a hammer, and it came free. When it was wedged out of place, the tub was out of place, and it did not seem to want to center itself properly. It wanted to lean to one side, and the centering action did not seem smooth. Rather it was more clunky and the machine made popping sounds as I moved the tub around.