1980s GE Filter Flo woes

[bbg]

Hi,
Late last fall a neighbor gave me her old GE filter flo washer and dryer (1980s). Long story, but I didn't realize how old it was before I agreed to take it. I paid to have movers bring it up from her basement and down into mine and then my landlord's handyman to set it up.

I have two problems:
(1) It shakes loudly and violently during the spin cycle. I naively assumed the handyman leveled it, but it seems like the front adjustment feet are maybe rusted in the highest position. Anyway, I've done what I can to try to level it (shims, wood etc), but it still moves like crazy. I'll admit I only have a tiny pocket size level, so maybe that's part of the trouble. But I've done about all I can (weak old lady here). During the spin cycles I've taken to (ridiculously) leaning against it to try to mitigate the problem.

(2) In addition, there is a loud bang (clank?) when the spin cycle stops. It just seems too loud to be normal. Otherwise it works fine.

I texted a local repair guy (who had great reviews) and he replied that he didn't think it was worth trying to save. He advised "put good money towards good at this point".

What's the worst that can happen if I just keep using it until it croaks? I don't think this is something I can tackle and the repair guy doesn't want to try.

Thanks for any input.

 

[cfz2882]

loud bang,sometimes double bang, is normal with these washers Washer should run quite smooth running in spin without a load-if it shakes a lot,could have a problem with runout(wobble)of the washbasket.Also the rubber "boot"around transmission can harden with age and cause a vibration problem.A GE washer of this era is basicly a 1950s washer which is both good and bad...

 

[pulltostart]

The rear of these machines are 'self-leveling' in that if the machine is tilted forward and then set back down, the rear feet will take care of themselves.  Both of the front feet should have a locking nut on the threaded stem and when the machine is leveled, the locking nuts need to be tightened up against the bottom of the washer.  Perhaps the ones on your washer are not correctly tightened.

 

lawrence

 

[goatfarmer]

I agree with Lawrence, the self leveling legs in the back may be rusted, or jammed.

 

[qsd-dan]

If the machine is level, check that the cable system (suspension) and snubber pads are in good order.

 

[combo52]

In addition to the other good suggestions above

The good news is the bang at the end of the spin cycles completely normal for these washers.

You must get the feet level in the front screw them in and tighten the lock nuts as suggested number two level a washing machine with pieces of wood, etc., and expected to run smoothly. They just won’t tolerate that

The only thing likely wrong with the suspension system is, if the lower seal on the transmission is leaking oil, the snubber all soaked with oil and the machine will vibrate more than usual, they will usually work this way. I think your main problem is getting the machine sitting solidly on its 4 feet it does not have to be perfectly level to operate well, but it certainly helps.

Good luck with the washer , John

 

[bbg]

Thanks for the replies. Good to know that bang is normal!

I ran an empty wash cycle and it seemed to handle the spin cycle much better. No matter how carefully I load the washer, though, evenly distributing the clothes, it still shakes a lot.

When I first got the machine and checked the level of the washer after running a couple loads and hearing the wild shaking, I found the back feet were too low. The front feet are probably extended as far as they can go and I could not get them to turn at all to lower them, so I think they are rusted/jammed in that position. What can I try to get them unstuck? WD40? I think the back feet are stuck in a lower position.

Anyway at the time the only thing I could think to do was raise up the back feet by putting them on a piece of wood, then shimming the front feet slightly as needed. I checked it with a level. I can't rock the machine when I push front to back, side to side, or diagonally.

This is a quote from a GE webpage:

"To set the rear self-leveling system on an older Top Load washer, tip the machine forward so that the rear legs are about 4" off the floor. Then, drop the washer to set the rear legs. They will automatically adjust to the level of the floor."

DROP the washer? Really? Can someone explain what snubbers are?

 

[pulltostart]

Drop

Yep.  Drop the washer.  Gravity will take over at that point and the rear feet will level themselves.  You might need to spray WD-40 on all four feet and let it work a while, especially if you find they are frozen.  

 

lawrence