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I have a front loading Kenmore washer that has always been noisy during the spin cycle, but yesterday during the final spin it sounded like a helicopter was landing in the house.
Any help would be greatly appreciated.
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Although we really need to be there to hear the noise, this is probably a failure of the rear bearing, which fails consistently in these machines. Unfortunately you need to replace the whole rear assembly as the bearing itself is not a separate repair. Here is the part, but given the cost my recommendation is to get a new machine. For a little more than the cost of the rear assembly you can get a nice, no frills top loader which will do just fine and probably last longer than a front loader. Part number: AP2578105
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Originally Posted by: sidfink43  Although we really need to be there to hear the noise, this is probably a failure of the rear bearing, which fails consistently in these machines. Unfortunately you need to replace the whole rear assembly as the bearing itself is not a separate repair. Here is the part, but given the cost my recommendation is to get a new machine. For a little more than the cost of the rear assembly you can get a nice, no frills top loader which will do just fine and probably last longer than a front loader. Part number: AP2578105
Hello, Thank you for the advise. Due to job loss a new washer is not in the budget (I sure wish it was). Also I have limited laundry space and need a washer I can stack the exsisting dryer on and have not seen one that will work. Today we took the whole thing apart and found that the spider is broken in several places and very corroded. Could this have been the cause of the noise, or could the bearing also be bad? Is there a way to know if the bearings are bad? Everything looks clean, no discoloration as I have seen in photos of bad bearings). Since the spider is not available by itself, shouldn't it be covered by the stainless steel tub warranty? Has anyone had any luck getting Sears to cover it? I talked to Sears today and they want to send out a tech for a minimum of 139.00 to varify that the spider is bad. The machine is completely apart and all they would have to do look at the part. Any and all help is welcome, Sue
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I would replace the washer, just parts are more expensive than a good used Whirlpool direct drive washer, maybe $150 in your area. Just make sure it has an agitator.
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Originally Posted by: richappy I would replace the washer, just parts are more expensive than a good used Whirlpool direct drive washer, maybe $150 in your area. Just make sure it has an agitator. My problem is I need a washer I can stack the dryer on due to very limited laundry space. Any suggestions? Thank you, Sue
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Hi Sue
If you did not have the space restrictions Richappy's comment is correct.
In your situation the part may be covered but you will have to pay labor costs. The best you can hope for is that the $139 will cover the cost of labor and that the rear bearing is ok. Unfortunately, the rear bearing and spider usually fail together, and even if the tech would agree that the labor covers both the inner tub and rear outer tub, the cost of the rear outer tub from Sears is going to be well north of $200.00.
The problem you face is a problem of front loaders. The axis is horizontal and the weight pressure is vertical, and that is just not good combination. I don't think any manufacturer has been able to solve that problem in a way that produces a machine at a reasonable cost. That is one reason (microprocessor controls on most machines is another) that I don't think anyone who works on washers would recommend a used front loader.
I am afraid that at the end of the day your choices are to repair this one and hope that the rear bearing has not failed and will not fail, or purchase a new, low cost front loader (with 5 year service agreement, these machines are one of the few cases where that makes economic sense). If at all possible financially I would go with the second option.
Good luck, let us know what you do and how it turns out.
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Hello again, Due to my lack of income I have to go with the repair. Sears was of no help at all. The parts arrived today and the only problem I am having is how to get the boot spring back on. Any advise? Sue Originally Posted by: sidfink43 Hi Sue
If you did not have the space restrictions Richappy's comment is correct.
In your situation the part may be covered but you will have to pay labor costs. The best you can hope for is that the $139 will cover the cost of labor and that the rear bearing is ok. Unfortunately, the rear bearing and spider usually fail together, and even if the tech would agree that the labor covers both the inner tub and rear outer tub, the cost of the rear outer tub from Sears is going to be well north of $200.00.
The problem you face is a problem of front loaders. The axis is horizontal and the weight pressure is vertical, and that is just not good combination. I don't think any manufacturer has been able to solve that problem in a way that produces a machine at a reasonable cost. That is one reason (microprocessor controls on most machines is another) that I don't think anyone who works on washers would recommend a used front loader.
I am afraid that at the end of the day your choices are to repair this one and hope that the rear bearing has not failed and will not fail, or purchase a new, low cost front loader (with 5 year service agreement, these machines are one of the few cases where that makes economic sense). If at all possible financially I would go with the second option.
Good luck, let us know what you do and how it turns out.
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Thank you for the link.
I forgot to ask about greasing the new parts.
What type of grease should I use and how much? Grease the shaft and the bearings?
I don't want to end up like so many posters that have grease stains on their clothes.
Sue
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Solved the grease questions.
Now need to know what is best to reglue the boot on?
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