30 Year-Old Kenmore Limited Edition.....

[philcobendixduo]

......Electronic Fabric Care washer (DD) started making a loud "grinding" noise today during load number 4. All was well until the neutral drain after rinsing. That's when a loud grinding noise started. The washer drained as usual with no issues. Then, the noise continued when final spin started and continued until the washer shut off.

I imagine this could be either the pump (foreign object in it or bad bearings) or the drive coupler.

Anything else it could be?

This 30 year-old Kenmore has never had a repair (other than agitator dogs) so this will be the first!

 

[combo52]

Loud Noise In A 30 YO DD Washer

Could be a drive coupling about ready to break, or an object in the pump, transmission failing or even motor bearings, but main bearings it is not.

 

If is the drive coupling it will probably break in the next load or two you wash, good news at least the washer will still pump the water out but you will be left with sloping wet clothes.

 

[felix1stv]

30year old kenmore

hi just looking at the picture it don't look like a direct drive to me
29" cabinet?...not a direct drive

 

[yogitunes]

that IS a direct drive.....

first clue,

belt drive would have the dispenser lid off to the right of the machine....

direct drive has the triple dispensers under the lid.....

well, time for troubleshooting, one piece at a time.....

fill the machine, and let agitate, is the sound there?......or is it during drain or spin only?.....

in either case, once you find the section where the noise starts.....

try taking the pump off the motor shaft, but don't disconnect the hoses, and turn the machine back on, is the sound still there?....

at this point, were trying to rule out, pump?, or something further up the line....

 

[philcobendixduo]

Washing Machine, Heal Thyself!

Well, the "washing machine gods" smiled on me today. I thought I'd run the machine once more just to be sure it's still making the noise before getting it repaired (more of a WHINING than GRINDING as earlier stated).

Ran the whole cycle and no noise - just as quiet as it ever was.

Maybe whatever was in the pump dislodged itself OR maybe after 4 loads the last time I used it, the pump was just "tired out" (maybe bearings are failing?)

Anyway - no need to take it apart for now - HOORAY!!