Brand: Maytag Model Number: MVW7232HW0 Main Symptom: Unbalanced load / Shaking What happens & when: Intermittent violent shaking due to “unbalanced load”
We were having some severe unbalanced load issues with our Maytag Direct Drive washer (MVW7232HW0) so I replaced the suspension rods, finding one to be bent. Culprit found, right? So I thought… The issues went away for a few weeks, then steadily worsened. As I had replaced the suspension rods before with cheap, aftermarket rods off that jungle-named retail website, I decided to go with OEM. This took care of the issue for a while, but it has steadily gotten worse again.
I’m at the point where I am thinking it has to be some other issue that is appearing after the new suspension rods have a chance to get broken in. What is truly odd is that the issue is seemingly intermittent: it will run through a load just fine, then struggle with the next load (same size and type of clothing). It will get up to full speed on the spin, then halfway through the cycle suddenly go violently off-balance as if by some magic hand.
My thought is that it could be the balance ring. However, when I’ve done the recommended “check” for the balance ring, I have found no apparent leaks, and when I spin the tub by hand ,and then stop it suddenly, I do hear the “slushing water” sound you’re supposed to hear. Since its direct drive, there’s a smaller list of other potential culprits for this issue, but I’m open to the idea that the motor, clutch or stator have come loose, and is throwing things off balance. I don’t believe it to be the drive assembly, as when I’ve removed the wash plate and wiggled the spindle, it was as it should be expected: firm, no play.
Should I look closer at the balance ring, or go ahead and put the machine on its side and double-check the motor and clutch area?
Error Code (if any): None
Parts or tests already tried: Suspension rods replaced (twice, including aftermarket & OEM)
Photos / video link:
It definitely sounds like the unbalanced issue is still active, even with new OEM suspension rods, so you’re right to check deeper—especially the balance ring and motor/clutch area. Since it’s intermittent, something is shifting under load. Will be perfectly guided when the video of shaking pattern will be shared.I hope you find this message helpful.
The intermittent portion of this failure makes it difficult to pin down what might be causing this issue. When the suspension rods were replaced, were the front two bushings missing under the suspension rod bearing?
Thank you, and apologies for the delay in replying as it took me some time to be able to get video, especially when the wife was doing laundry while I was away.
I think the video I’ve attached via my Google Drive demonstrates the issue fairly well. You see a bit of wobble, and hear some creaking as it spins, but its almost like it catches itself and settles back down. But at some point, eventually, it will violently fall out and knock around until the sensors realize its out of balance and goes into the balancing mode. It may do this several times, and it may have me move some things in the drum before trying again (with mixed success). Eventually, though, the load WILL complete… it just takes a long time and the banging does get tiresome.
In the meantime, I am wondering if the balance ring IS the culprit. When I initially replaced the suspension rods, I reported there definitely was one that was an issue. I am wondering if the shaking and unbalanced issues that occured prior to that rod being bent (or the damage to the rod happened because of) came from the balance ring having issues or whatever culprit it ultimately ends up being. For fun, I’ve included a picture of those rods from back when I replaced them.
There is definitely a mechanical failure going on and the clacking noise would suggest it is something other than the balance ring. If you check the clutch area, does it look like anything is loose or damaged? Also, if you remove the spin basket, does the gearcase spin basket drive shaft wiggle around?
Washplate was removed, and the drive shaft did not have any play/wiggle. Did not remove the entire wash basket.
Next step would be to put the machine on its side to inspect the clutch area. The squeaking is coming from high up the basket as if the suspension rods are creaking on their bearings, so I was leaning away from that.
I am hoping its NOT the wash basket itself and its balance ring as that’s an expensive part to replace. I did find some chewed up plastic on the washer tub ring, so have one of those on order.
It may be a while before I’m able to get the machine out and on its side to inspect the motor and clutch.
With the hustle and bustle of the holidays, the balance ring had little positve effect, although the old balance ring did have some cracks in it. I got it on its side and could find no issues with the motor or clutch. In the meantime, my wife decided to do the end around and without my okay went ahead and ordered a new washer. However, between the advice from you folks, and the fact that I had pretty well thrown all other parts at it, gearcase was about the only issue left that it could be.
Once I got it on its side and determined the motor, stator, and clutch to be fine, getting a new washer does seem like it was a better move. Sadly, it seems like Maytag just “aint what they used to be” in that their warranty is worthless and their machines don’t last very long.
