Kenmore DD squeaking during agitation

[dustin92]

I recently repaired a Kenmore DD, (needed a new coupler) and have been using it for a few weeks. It has been washing great, but I am getting an annoying squeak during agitation, with every agitator stroke, it squeaks. A short, high pitched chirp that doesn't seem to be any louder or quieter depending on speed, but is slower/faster. If I lift up on the tub, the noise subsides for a few seconds, but settles back in and starts again. The noise tends to be worse with heavy loads and is barely detectable without a load. Any advice is appreciated!

 

[whirlykenmore78]

I would guess:

The noise is coming from the tub brake. I have heard that squeak from many DD/WP machines but have never seen it cause a failure.
WK78

 

[dustin92]

Any permanent (or temporary!) Way to quiet it down? It is pretty annoying. The brake seems pretty loose, it takes a while to spin down after it is shut off, but the tub doesn't really seem to move while washing.

 

[yogitunes]

chances are its the snubbers making the noise as the unit shifts back and forth with agitation......

easy fix?, somewhat, you can replace the snubbers....but what you have also is the paint has worn away from the baseplate during this time, and the springs have worn some as well making them a little weaker allowing more movement...

its almost as if you could just put some lube on, and the noise will disappear, that is true, BUT, it will work too well, as in the whole unit will try to oscillate as it washes...been there, don't that, found out the hard way

my only fix at that point, was just to put the slightest dab of Vaseline on the baseplate.....and using egg crate foam, I wrapped the entire outer tub with it, for one, it kept it steady/centered, allowed for some movement during spin, and quieted the machine down drastically...

 

[dustin92]

What would be the best solution to the issue, and how much work am I looking at? I really like the washer, but it seems like it's really been abused over it's lifetime. I already replaced the drive coupler and the agitator dogs (which seems to point to being overloaded?) and I have noticed a squeak during spin (similar to the noise during agitation, only a constant squeal, only on heavy or unbalanced loads, and it seems to go out of balance very frequently, not to the point of dancing across the floor, but makes lots of noise.