Help! Front load washing machine tub seems to be resting low, and bangs

[Salzano14]

Hello everyone, hoping you can help me.

A couple months back I had a broken support spider that I replaced. That was quite the job.

I finally got the part the other day and completed the repair, and now we're running some loads through.

First off, the spider is definitely all set. The drum inside the tub is nice and sturdy and doesn't move around at all. So that's good.

However, I'm not sure what's up with the outer tub. It seems like it's resting low, and most concerning is that the bottom counterweight slightly knocks (repeatedly) the drain pipe in the front (see the picture).

Also, at the start and end of the spin cycle, the tub bangs for a couple seconds before it gets up to full speed. Then it sounds fine. It seems to be banging on the left side (see photo again). As it's slowing down, it also bangs a few times on the way back down from full speed.

I'm not sure if these two things are related but hoping someone can help.

Thanks!

Whirlpool Duet front load washer, model WFW8300SW02

 

[frontloaderfan]

Others here know more than I, but I'm going to say it's your shock absorbers. They are either broken or came disconnected somehow. You might want to check those first...

 

[coldspot66]

This may be a stupid question, but are all 4 shocks attached to the outer tub...they also could be weak and not keeping the tub supported corectly.

 

[henene4]

I'm not sure, but there could be multiple things causing this. May the counterweights (I guess there are at least 2?) are in the wrong place/swapped. Or the springs got accedently disconnected. Or the dampers are gone?
Not sure either, but I hope this helps!

 

[Salzano14]

The counterweights being in the wrong place (swapped) would make a lot of sense because that bottom one is what is banging the side and what is knocking the drain. But it seemed to me that they would only fit in certain places.

As for the shocks -- they are definitively connected, I even disconnected them for a minute to check them out and they seem fine, I.e. they still seem to be dampening. There's about 3/4 inch of play in them but other than that they seem okay. Also the shocks don't really seem to give "support," just dampening? I don't know.

The springs are connected too.

Honestly swapped counterweights would solve both problems but I just dont think they are possible to mis-assemble, as all three are different shapes.

 

[henene4]

Thought so to...

... but what should it else be than? Just check it. Better check double before we run into something!

 

[Salzano14]

Oh my God I think I figured it out... I think I have that bottom weight flipped around...

I am at my in-laws' so we could do our laundry while I figured this out haha -- but when I get home I will check and will post an update if that was indeed the problem!

 

[Salzano14]

UPDATE: That was indeed the problem! I'm an idiot and just put the bottom weight on backwards. No wonder I couldn't find any info on this online, most people aren't dumb enough to make that mistake.

Hopefully someday someone has the same problem as I did and finds this thread. Don't worry... you, future sir or lady, are not alone.

Thanks everyone!

 

[appnut]

Congratyulations!!

Grant the site was able to help diagnose the problem. Don't be so hard on yourself with putting the part back in backwards. Be proud of yourself for tackling the work yourself. Many won't. Bob