Brand: GE
Model Number: GFW650SPN4SN
Main Symptom: knocks itself out of balance on spin cycle
What happens & when: Machine runs fine on any wash cycle selected…no ‘grinding’ no ‘squealing’. Machine seems to drain just fine as well. When it starts to spin for the spin cycle, there begins a forward to backward motion that will escalate and cause the drum to hit the sides if allowed. (note: I stop the cycle before that happens)
Error Code (if any): no new codes seen
Parts or tests already tried: We managed to almost destroy this machine by overloading. Had repair guy in to diagnose. Result, as repair was more than original cost of machine, I replaced 4 new suspension dampers ( shocks ) and replaced also the gasket, dispenser fill hose, & nozzle (had water leak, too). Verified machine level.
At this point, I get conflicting remedies to these symptoms, so I humbly ask (only after watching countless videos of you guys and many others) how do you determine if it’s the suspensions springs, or the spider arm? I was under the impression when the spider arm goes, there is a ‘metal-on-metal’ sound that gets progressively worse. I do not hear that. Also, would you not hear that sound any time the drum turned? Regardless of speed? My washer works like normal on the wash cycles and only acts up when the drum starts spinning faster. Also, repair guy never implicated spider arm in his diagnosis (which may not mean much, but still)
I’ve been searching for how to tell if springs are bad, but videos are a bit vague on specific diagnoses & nobody has been able to give me a direct answer. When a new spring is suspending the drum, should there be any spaces between the coils? Is that a consideration as to the health of the spring?
Thank you!!
Photos / video link:
The spider arm or basket support has a shaft the runs through a bearing in the back of the rear outer tub. If that bearing starts to fail, it can allow movement of the basket, especially during a spin cycle. They don’t always make a noise when they fail. Other than proper load size, there is not much left to replace other than the basket and outer tub. The springs at the top usually don’t factor in with a rough spin. If they break, you would know it, the whole basket and tub would drop down.
Hello!
So, the spider arm & bearing are part of the rear tub (outer wash tub) assembly (#315 on the schematic), right?
How do I confirm that this is the issue? (the springs really looked distended to me, but what you say makes sense as well) If I remove the pulley and the belt, what will indicate a failed bearing?
Open the front door, take the basket in one hand and the outer tub in the other. You should not have any movement between the two, no wobble. The basket should also spin freely without any restriction.
Hi, David!
The basket spins freely…no restrictions, no noises. I’ve got both front and back panels off the machine for access to the outer tub. The outer tub (back of machine, right?) is solid. Spinning the basket does not affect the outer tub in terms of movement or “wobbles.” When the outer tub moves, it moves in tandem with the basket and the front tub within the confines of the cabinet. I can push the entire inner assembly forward (about an inch or so), backward (not as much), and a side to side (most play of an inch or two)
Is this what you were trying to check?
…so….if there is no movement between the basket and the outer tub ( i.e. no “wobbles” between each other) and the basket spins freely with no restrictions…..could the springs be the problem?
If the springs look stretched or deformed, then yes, I would replace them. That is pretty rare, though.
Yeah….that replacing springs are unusual is the one consistent thing I’ve been told… :-))
I’ve already ordered the springs from you guys and I will compare a new one with one that I take out of the washer ‘cuz I’m very curious to see. I’m still hopeful we can resuscitate this machine!!!
Usually this is caused by a broken suspension spring located at the back of frame connected to tub
Good Morning!
It’s taken some time, but have successfully replaced both suspension springs on this washer. They do not make this easy, especially on the left side, as the soap dispenser assembly is clearly in the way! On the GFW 650 series, these springs are located on each side of the tub, in the middle (a bit toward the front) of the machine. Craig52, are these the springs you were referring to in your reply? Or is there another…
Side-by-side comparison showed no visual difference between new & old springs. I almost got discouraged as it did not seem the springs were the issue after all. My question regarding spacing between coils was answered…yes, there is a space between coils of a new spring when installed. Although, the old spring seemed to have just a bit larger gap between coils…
In our case, a spring did not actually break, but when testing newly installed springs, using a light load of kitchen terry hand towels/wash cloths, there was definite improvement, as tub no longer hits sides of machine on faster spins. However, there is still a forward/backward movement that will eventually start shakin’ it all up again. The sound is not metal-on-metal, but more of a squeaking, as involving rubber/plastic. If allowed, the exterior shaking and internal forward/backward motion intensifies and would likely cause an out-of-balance error code, but I pause the cycle before it gets to that point…
Is it possible the machine could be leaning forward a bit to cause this forward/backward motion on spin? I will revisit levelling the washer again today. Any insight you guys may provide would be greatly appreciated!
Warm Regards!