Neptune vibrating out of control on spin cycle

[norgechef]

I bought a used Neptune front load washer and dryer (MAH6500-MDE5500) in July and have had very little issues with them, aside from the fact that the washer has something wrong with it in the spin cycle. Ever since I bought it I noticed it shakes a lot at the start of the spin and when it slows down at the end of the cycle, usually to the point that the washer can be seen moving because the drum hits the cabinet.

I let it go for a while since it never seemed to have any problems when it got up to full speed but lately its been getting much worse. I just had to stop using it about a week ago because I'm honestly afraid its going to be explode!

The out of balance vibration is so bad lately on any sized load that the washer will jump up and down at which point I usually have to turn it off. Keep in mind this is after about 5 attempts from the control board to balance out the load to no avail. It does a similar less violent dance even when its empty.

Last week I ordered a new strut kit which I will install later this week in hopes that it fixes the problem, otherwise I will have to get rid of it. My question is, has anyone had this issue with a Neptune before? I can't seem to find a single post where anyone complains about a Maytag made (non Samsung) Neptune going out of balance like this so I assumed it was the struts that needed to be replaced.

If this is not the issue what else could be wrong with it? Bearings are good, motor works good and is bolted on tight, no error codes, just vibrates uncontrollably when its spinning. Any thoughts would be appreciated.

 

[combo52]

Does it vibrate with nothing in it?,   If so you probably have a broken spider.

 

[norgechef]

.

It does vibrate slightly with nothing in it but goes away at full speed unlike with a full load inside. I don't think its the spider, the inner basket spins in a perfect circle and doesn't move at all when you rock it back and forth.

Also, when it goes out of balance, it shakes on and off, like it will balance for 1 second, go out of balance again for 5 seconds, and repeat that pattern until it picks up speed and then it just vibrates really bad. If I can describe it, it sounds like ''bang bang bang *stops* bang bang bang *Stops*'' kinda thing.

 

[yogitunes]

I was thinking along the lines of the balance ring cracked and lost its fluid....if you spin the tub by hand, is the sloshing noise there?

theres only two struts at the bottom and two springs at the top keeping that unit steady, don't forget the cement counter weight, and the balance ring all work together to keep that running smooth.....

never had an issue with my Neptunes.....they will do a bit of bouncing when starting up the spin, and again when it coast down, but nothing that would make it walk....

but did have it happen to a Whirlpool directdrive TL....with an empty tub it would flutter out of balance, and then straighten out, and do it again, over and over....in that case, I just removed the balance ring, although it was still filled...

 

[norgechef]

The balance ring still has its liquid. I will replace the struts and hopefully that fixes it. If not I'll probably just use it until it dies then junk it. I like the Neptune other than its rinsing performance but I can't stand appliances that continue to malfunction after I replace parts. Nothing aggravates me more than a chronically out of balance washer, and most newer Maytag's I get seem to have that issue.

 

[fordtech1]

You will have to remove the front panel to change those shocks anyway, might as well pull the inner basket and see if the spider is cracked or the nuts holding the basket loose. My Neptune has gotten out of balance enough to walk a few times over the past 10 years but nothing consistent or chronic and that was usually with big load of nothing but blue jeans all tied up into each other. When I go into diagnostic mode with the 7500 there is often messages indicating out of balance under 500 RPM.
I do recall one poster had a cracked spider and I spoke with a Maytag dealer once who said they had a problem with them for a while doing that.
They are still readily avaliable

 

[norgechef]

Does the entire front around the door and door lock need to be taken off?

 

[neptunebob]

Yes.  You have to unscrew the hinges and the bumpers on the other side of the door opening which will allow you to take the entire front off.  You may also have to unscrew the brackets that hold the top on too.  The front of the drum is held on with clips.  Be careful when you unpry them, as they can suddenly pop off and be lost in a far away place.  Could it be that the bearing is so worn that it is vibrating?

 

[yogitunes]

first....

remove two screws on the door hinges.....

and remove two on the other side......then the door will lift off....

then the front panel will pull forward, and remove.....

remove 4 screws on the dispenser lid....set aside

now back to the front, there are two screws holding the top down....remove them and lift the top....

you can set the door back in place if you want to run a test with the unit open....

no need to mess with the front shroud/bulkhead/lock assembly unless you want to remove the tub cover for bearing repairs and such....2 screws hold the door lock....and there should be about 6 to 8 screws to remove, and a number of clips that need to be removed for removal of the bulkhead and shroud....