Frigidare Front Load shocks fit the 1961 W Laundromat.

[moparwash]

The original shocks were worn and leaking, so after looking at automotive shocks to cross reference for fit and trying 1996-2003 Ford Windstar rears..too stiff..I tried these Frigidaire P/N 5304491701 ones. They are easy to install and on the mounting brackets you have to add an extra nut next to the top and bottom of
each shock to fill the space. After spinning 3 soaked large bath towels, it is a lot smoother than with the original shocks. After a full load is done, Ill know for sure how it works, but so far so good!

 

[ea56]

I'm impressed with your thinking outside the box Jerry. As they say, necessity is the mother of invention.
Eddie

 

[washman]

jerry is a true mopar man

and his thinking out of the box does not surprise me at all.

 

And, trivia, he's one of the few I met that knows the firing order of a small block Mopar and knows was the OSAC valve did.

 

[moparwash]

thanks Washman!...soon it will be car show season in WPA so I hope you are up for going to some of them!

 

[sbond22]

Nice work. But I'm not surprised that a shock designed to control the spring rate of a 3800# minivan would be an overkill on a washing machine.

 

[moparwash]

It seemed like a good idea at the time!...the tub is porcelain on steel, the outer tub is steel, and there is a cast iron donut around the front of the tub to counterbalance it so it does weigh a lot

I tried a full load and it spins beautifully with minimal vibration and cabinet movement. The tub is suspended from above by 4 springs, and the two shocks at the bottom serve to stabilize the tub, so that's why these relatively puny Frigidaire shocks do work. The next thing to do is put a drain pipe in to replace the extended drain hose that is affecting pump action. Christina is such a problem child!

 

[sbond22]

Christina is such a problem child!

She's very fortunate to have such a creative caring Dad.

 

[washman]

Yes jerry, when the car shows come around, I'll be there.  Meanwhile, I'm re-reading both iacocca books, Chrysler Chronicle, Riding the Roller Coaster, and on a Clear Day You Can See General Motors.

 

One can only wonder, IF delorean had stuck around, would we have seen the X cars and the "identicar" lineup of the 80's?