Review of Speed Queen AWN412 Thread 39785

[islandantoinett]

I would like to thank all the people who posted on a now closed Thread #39785. Their information about the SQ top loading washers was SO informative! Our 8 yr. old Kenmore died today, and we are shocked, saddened and appalled at what we have read and learned from reading on line about the "new" and "improved" wash machines that are just JUNK and expensive JUNK too! The awful locking lids, and non fill up water sensors are just a few of the problems. My husband and I are so angry. When we finally DO find what we want A SPEED QUEEN!!! they are not available anywhere on the Big Island of Hawai'i of course. Nor can be afford the higher price either. Sadly. So we are going to just keep using our old Kenmore and wring the clothes out by hand. We refuse to buy this new junk and have nothing again.
But it sure would have been NICE to have been able to buy a Speed Queen I am very very impressed at reading all these posts.
Antoinette Jackson

 

[kenmore71]

I'm confused as to why you aren't having the Kenmore repaired. An 8 year old machine is certainly worth having repaired.

If everything else is working but it's not spinning it is more than likely that the spin clutch is worn or has failed in some other way. The entire clutch assembly is a $50 part and the individual components that often fail (usually worn pads OR a broken/weak spring) are even less expensive.

It is also definitely a possibility that something in the transmission has failed that is not allowing it to spin. While that is a more expensive repair (new ones retail for around $200, rebuilt can be had for less) it is still worth it to spend the money. The Whirlpool/Kenmore direct drive machine is very rugged and is a relatively simple machine to repair.

In 20 years these machines are going to be collectable classics!

 

[mrb627]

Laundromats

<span style="font-family: 'comic sans ms', sans-serif;">Are there any coin-op laundromats nearby?  If so, what brand of commercial machines are in that facility?</span>

 

<span style="font-family: 'comic sans ms', sans-serif;">Malcolm</span>

 

[islandantoinett]

Mr. Kenmore 71 Thank You for your reply

Whow Mr. Kenmore 71 Thank you for such a prompt reply! I just did this post on
another post for a couple of Kenmore's for sale by a poster here:
My Post to hers:
Aloha I am new here. Spent all night reading one thread trying to figure out HOW to go about buying a wash machine HERE ON THE BIG island where we only have 2 choices. Sears and Home Depot.
I sure have gotten an education too! Reading site after site, review after review, post after post.
I think it was really nice of you to put this pic and post in here for someone.
I am in Hawai'i ( a big problem in itself and a bigger problem being on The Big Island) so it can't help me. But I'll bet it does help someone or already has.
Belt drive, OK at least you CAN replace those! My Kenmore just died the spring broke that makes the spin go past slow (1st gear). No fan belt on it, got it new in 2004. Liked it because it had the 2nd rinse and was the Extra Large Capacity PLUS. The whole machine housing has rusted out ( we live only 4 roads from the ocean) the salt air is murder on these and anything electrical too. No more microwave, coffee maker (Mr. Coffee) broke the other day too!
So what to do? Isn't that the BILLION dollar question?
I have come to the conclusion to do with a Samsung that is a front loader. It has the steam and all.
My biggest peave was the locked lids on the others and the HE (terrible reviews).
Not sure it the new one I am looking to buy today (Thanksgivings Black Friday on Thursday now) has the HE doesn't say so. But from what everything I have read the front loaders just don't use as much water anyway. So. . . not sure the HE is even relevant.
I even looked on Craigs list for not only our island but Oahu (where Honolulu) is and the majority of the people and there were only 3 Samsungs for sale out of the hundreds of others (all other makes!)
Is MRB627 (Malcom) or appnut people that could also shed some light on this decision of mine? We leave to go in just a couple of hrs.
Aloha Antoinette.

So Mr. Kenmore 71 thank you for your so very prompt post.
We did happen to see a BIG 3" spring (broken) under the washer when we moved it and tipped it upside down and I spent 4 hrs. just looking at it and the schematic phamplet we have. Didn't see this big spring. My friend described it as it won't shift into the next gear from having that spring gone.
To get anything repaire here (IF they even KNOW and IF they even fix what is really wrong with it!!! They lie too!) it will cost us at least $250. Even if the spring is cheap. This place is just hi way robbery in everyway. We'd move if we could even sell our house.
So anyway, I appreciate your information as know I know to SAVE this machine in case the Samsung Front Loader with the steam goes bad way too soon.
But you see where we live things just deteoriate SO BAD SO FAST that to "try" to save anything is pointless due to the extreme RUST situation. The whole body on the Kenmore is totally rusted out and the frame too! Can pick it right up. This is what happends to washers here. Believe me been through many since 1985. This Kenmore was my baby however as my now husband bought it for me NEW! I'd never had a NEW washer before! Here you buy 10 and 12 yr. old pieces of junk for $200-250. They work long enough for the man who sold it to you who also happens to be the repair guy and he comes out and just happens to have on his truck the part you need! Yep really!
So if you have time and get this in time. What do you think about us buying the Samsung Front Loader with Steam:
http://www.samsung.com/us/appliances/washers-dryers/WF365BTBGWR/A1
We can't afford the pedistal. It's going to be rough for me with a bad back and hip too. Can I build one from heavy duty wood? I built one for my Kenmore to even get it OFF the cement out in the patio/garage or it would have lasted even less time.
http://www.samsung.com/us/appliances/washers-dryers/WF365BTBGWR/A1

Thank you very much,
Antoinette Jackson

 

[islandantoinett]

Ended up buying this Kenmore.......

Aloha everyone. Well we went to that crazy Black Friday which was at 8:00pm on Thursday Night. Never ever seen so many people on this whole island. It was amazing.
Hard for me as I am truly disabled. Anyway the Samsung was not allowed to be purchased on the 12 week layaway. So we ended up paying more instead of $649 we paid $699 for a Kenmore Steam Front Load with what seemed like 100 buttons. I don't know if I can even figure out how to use it. I have 12 weeks to learn if I can find it on the internet. Here it is: It was orig $1300 and we got it for $699 Hawai'i's "sale" price.
http://www.priceviewer.com/sears/52...t-load-Washer---Metallic-Silver-[MODEL-41373]

The sales manager claims that the "NEW" Sears washers are made by LG he said they have the new contract. That the "old" contract was with Whirlpool. Is this correct? Everything I have read on line here says it is now Whirlpool who makes Kenmores. Is that now "Old" news? He also claimed that this washer was a lot better than the Samsung Steam Front Loader that they also had on sale.
Thank you,
Antoinette