Replacing Friction Dampers Miele W1213

[cleanlaundryluv]

Anyone have directions on how to replace the Friction Dampers for a Miele W1213 washer? I called Miele today and they are $212.00 + $20.00 for shipping. I was a little surprised as I thought they would be about half that price as I'd seen online for other Miele models.

Looking for a better deal, I couldn't find anywhere replacement shocks for that model. On eBay, the part # (4828874) gleaned exactly one result: http://bit.ly/1ftK4fh for about $170 plus shipping, but the models this seller mentions this part is for are for pro models in Canada. I was wondering if Miele stopped making the dampers for my series of washers b/c it is discontinued so they just use the pro ones.

I'll probably go through Miele, just in case I have to return them if this doesn't solve the loud spinning problem. I've had this machine just over a year and got it for $100 on craigslist but w/out the shipping struts from an appliance remover service. They had a bunch of random machines. What a steal! But, I've never quite got it levelled and it is on a wood floor on concrete, and in a corner--very solid!

Funnily enough, my last wash had a perfect spin with almost no vibration, quite a rarity. So, wish me luck and any help or observations would be greatly appreciated.

 

[foraloysius]

Because your Miele can't be very old, I can hardly believe that it already needs new friction dampers/shock absorbers. Is the glass in the door damaged by the drum hitting the glass? A loud spinning problem is probably caused by something else. Or did your machine get a lot of use?

 

[cleanlaundryluv]

No, no glass damage, but, with almost any load the top part of the machine vibrates very much. I have watched videos on YouTube of people whose machine needs new dampers and a characteristic that seems to be present is that during spin up and down, at slower speeds, the drum rocks side to side a lot. Upon max speed, it seems to vibrate less. After replacement there seems to be less rocking at spin up/down. Mine does the same. Even if the max spin has not too much vibration, spin up/down can be quite loud/wobbly. Also, except for that last spin in my previous post, even really balanced loads at max, if you step back and look at the display, you'll see it bobbing side-to-side. And items in the shelf above you can see vibrating quite a bit.

When I got it I saw no shipping struts. These people I think work for appliance installers, and remove old appliances, so they definitely weren't careful. Also, I too had to move it without the struts. Maybe the hanging springs could be damaged instead, or in addition to the dampers. I don't know. But, I do know that my machine can be a lot smoother. I've seen enough Miele spin videos, that even with small loads, the top of the machine barely moves, mine definitely has a shake.

I know Miele and everyone here mentions how important it is to move the machine with the struts, but I honestly don't know what exactly can be damaged without using them.

I was also inclined to believe the dampers might not be damaged if Miele all along used professional ones in this model from the beginning, then I might look for new hanging springs, which I imagine would be a lot cheaper. But, I honestly don't know and I do think they are just condensing parts to make it easier for themselves, to my advantage (although not price advantage).

 

[foraloysius]

Have you opened up the machine to see what is wrong? That may help.

As fur using struts to move the machine, overhere in Europe lots of machines have been moved without them and it didn't do them any harm.

If the top of the machine is vibrating, to me that sounds more of a problem with the four feet not being set properly on the floor or something like that. My now 23 year old Miele had problems with the shock absorbers two years ago. The glass was damaged and the drum smacked the side of the machine sometimes. But it never vibrated in the way you describe. So best is to open the machine and see what happens when it spins.

 

[richnz]

When I checked my dampers

I had to remove the toekick.
Removed the band that holds the door seal and tuck the seal inwards.
Unscrew the two screws that hold the door lock (It won't fall in).
Removed the big screw/bolt at the bottom of the door opening.
Removed the two screws either side of the bottom of the front panel (There may be two on each side and I can't remember if it is the inner or the outer that hold the panel on)
The front should slide down (Its held in place at the top by two plastic pegs)

The side panels are held on by screws at the top front and rear (There are none underneath)

Once the panels are off try to find out where the noise is coming from (It may not be the shocks)
I had a load sensor arm (Which looks like a shock absorber) which made the noise when spinning (It was bent when the machine was moved without the transport bars)

You may need a helper to push up and down on the drum while you look.

Finally if you want to save some money on shock you can use LG shocks. Before you gasp with horror note that 1) These shocks are made by Suspa, 2) The shocks have the same 120N rating and 3) They seem to look very similar if not the same as some newer Miele models.

I've seen some cheaper shocks available on ebay. They just don't have the magic "M" word printed on them

 

[vacbear58]

Miele Washer

Are you sure you have got it absolutely level?

Also, what is the nature of the floor it is standing on? If not concrete you may need to put a board (something like 1/2inch waterproof ply) to spread the load more evenly over the floor area.

If you have a dryer as well, it would help even more to put the ply under the dryer as well, as the load is spread even more

Al

 

[launderess]

Just had shocks replaced on my Miele last year

And am here to tell you the suspension system has nothing to do with loud noises during spinning.

With one or both shock absorbers gone the tub's movements cannot be controlled, thus it will sway, bang, etc...

If this washer is on anything else but a solid concrete type of flooring then you are going to have problems with vibrations. It will take lots of work with a sprit level and perhaps reinforcement of the flooring to shore things up to obtain a quieter spin.

Mind you sometimes vibrations cannot be helped. Long as the machine remains in place and is not leaping about, some shaking "towards the top" is considered normal. This happens even with Laundromat washing machines that are bolted into several feet of concrete. Usually this vibration results from loads in various states of unbalance.

 

[shivayash]

Miele W919 WPS - friction damper replacement

Dear all,

Bump alert and newbie posting!

I just this minute replaceed the friction damper on my 1997 Miele W919 WPS machine. I hope it cures the problem as the washing pile continues to grow. It was a fairly easy job, the left hand side part was more tricky. I too was temped by those parts offered on eBay but delivery time was over two weeks and I couldn't wait. A shame as Miele UK charged me £77 parts. The same SUSPA made part on eBay was half that price. Oh well...

I just wanted to ask, does anyone on this forum this that Suspa produce parts for Miele to 'better' standards, or is it just a case of MIELE stamping their name on their parts.

I run an old Mercedes car and usually only buy MB branded parts, instead of OEM, because experience tells me that MB branded parts are usually better quality, and the price difference it tiny. Oil filters, air filters etc, although made by another German company for MB, are made to difference standards for MB, as opposed to that company's off the shelf offerings.

Anyway, the first load is now on, post damper replacement, shall report back.

With best wishes,
SY
London, UK

PS. The dampers I took out were not Suspa made! Miele has changed suppliers since 1997.