Single Spring with Insulators 134144700

Removed the back and lower panel in the front of machine. Turned it on its side to replace spring, not tools required. Then stood it up and replaced both shocks by removing plastic pins that hold them in place, no tools required. The only time you need tools is to remove the metal panels to get to the parts. Now it makes no noise and runs like a new washer. Paid $140 for the parts, a new machine would have cost over a thousand and would be one of those digital nightmares that don't last as long. This machine is 18 years old.

I watched the videos and replaced the shocks and suspension springs. This worked to stop the unit bouncing completely and cut the banging noise in half. Further diagnosis revealed a damaged drum and outer shell. The repair itself was very simple and didn't require special tools or skills. There is a tricky shock absorber locking pin on the right shock bottom position. There is a control box of some sort that prevents the complete removal of the pin without breaking it. On install, I simply pushed the pin through from the front. Ultimately, I ended up replacing the unit. However, I found the site to be extremely helpful. Great service.

I did my best to stretch the belt out and as I wrapped it around the pulley one hand was preventing the belt from slipping off and the other hand had the screwdriver to use as Leverage to stretch and slip the belt on the other side of the pulley. One thing that I saw but didn't try was to use zip ties to temporarily hold the belt in place so it didn't slip off that may have helped.

disconnected electric and water supply. removed back cover from front loading washer. removed two screws from spring end plate on the top of the washer. replaced old spring with new spring/insulators by lifting the tub and hooking the new spring on. replaced the back cover and top spring cover plate. reconnected water supply and electric. machine is working like it did before the spring broke. very easy fix. the majority of the effort was moving the washer around to get easy access.

repair wasn't too difficult, hardest was raising the drum to engage the springs.

Steps I took:

remove the rear and front (bottom) covers. To remove the rear cover, I went ahead and took the hoses off. The bottom cover needs a good tug once the two screws are removed.

Once both covers were off, it was obvious what had to be replaced.
Pushing the notch on the shocks, removed both top and bottom pieces. Then I used books to lift the drum so that i could attach the new springs. Removed the books, installed the shocks from the top to the bottom.

Went ahead and removed the coin drop, cleaned it out, and reattached. Ran the washer two cycles to confirm the vibrations were gone. Loaded it up with towels (seemed to cause the worst vibs) and it was quiet.

Re-installed the covers and that was it.

I disconnected the water and the power first. I then removed the back of the machine. I also removed the 8 screws that hold the top and slid it forward to release it from the clips. I tilted the to up withour removing any wires. I then put a 2X4 accross the top and used #14 electrical wire to lift the drum up so I could attach the spring. It was easy to remove nad replace the shock absorbers once the release was pressed down on each pin. I did have to remove two screws that held a control panel top the base of the machine on the left lower corner. (looking from the back of the machine) to make it easier to remove and install that shock absorber. That part of the install was a breeze. The parts were all correct and arrived quickly.

Removed spring retainer straps from top of springs. Propped up tub with blocks and a wedge. Lifted out each spring and replaced. Re-attached spring retainer straps. Removed pins from shock absorbers (old/broken ones). These break due to moving washer w/out installing original foam blocks and support screws or due to age and fatigue. Pins have a retainer that must be depressed as you pull or push them out. may need to spin back and forth with pliers as you pull them. Bottom right pin won't come out w/out a hassle. Cut it in pieces with dykes and used spare pushed in from the FRONT (not the rear, as it was originally installed). Found leak was not fixed by getting the drum back up to proper height. Found bolt on tub had broken the bottom of the soap dispenser "tray". This is a 50.00 part. Made a patch from the bottom. Roughed up plastic and used silicone adhesive. After it had adhered filled from top with more silicone. Allowed 24 hrs to dry. Washer is as good as new.

Had to replace one Spring on top of the tub and both shock absorbers. Anyone with even a limited amount of mechanical ability could handle this repair. Save yourself about $300 in repair cost and replace these items yourself. Spring and Shocks absorber kit cost less than $60 with shipping.

Just look at the diagram that comes with the parts, it's a piece of cake. The most difficult part is replacing the spring, she is stiff. You will need to take the top of the machine off, which is super easy, and remove the metal keeper on top of the frame rail. Get someone to help you as you will need to lift the tub and slip the spring over the frame rail.

The shocks are the easiest part of the repair, and should take less than five mins. to replace.

The tub is supported by two springs and two shock absorbers. First remove the back panel of the washer. Then I placed the auto jack from my car under the tub, alongside the motor, and cranked it up, lifting the tub, until the top of the seal in the front was compressed. Then I took the top off of the washer to access the springs. There are retaining straps over the top of each spring that I had to remove to get to the springs. Pulling up hard on the spring allowed me to get a pair of pliers on the spring and pull it out of the slot it was in.

Once it was out of the slot I could remove it from the tub as well. I put the new spring in and replaced the retaining strap. Then I repeated this process on the other spring.

Once both springs were in place the tub was hanging as it should and the seal around the door was smooth all the way around. I haven't seen any more leaks since replacing the springs.

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