Samsung Toploader Suspension Rods

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DADoES

DADoES

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May 21, 2001
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I recently looked at a Samsung toploader, at request of my sister for one of her coworkers.  Complaint of the tub bucking like a bronco during final spin, causing repeated Ur faults and refills for redistribution.  Machine is 3yo.  Spins perfectly when empty or with a light load or items that are nicely distributed.  Household of two (and two puppies), the missus seems to wash small and mixed loads often so perfect balance isn't typical.  All signs pointed to the suspension rods at fault.  Service docs I found are typical Samsung-murky.

Opted, with the fellow's approval, for substitution rods claimed to be more robust than OEM, and a claimed 3-yr warranty (LOL).  I planned to use Sil-Glyde or lithium grease to lubricate the the suspension hangers at the cabinet and tub mounts.  An unanticipated glitch was that the (residual) Samsung OEM "grease" is an extremely thick and sticky kind of something that apparently serves to help limit the movement of the hangers.  A can of it prices at $70 to $90, which is dandy for servicers who use it in quantity, not so much for a single job.  I scraped what I could (which isn't much) off the old rods and hope there's enough remaining on the tub mounts to have an appropriate effect.

The tub is more sturdy with the new rods, less oscillation and bounce.  So there's that.

Disassembly to raise the top for changing the rods involves first removing the control panel for access to 1) dismount the machine control board module for access to disconnect the pressure tube from the water level sensor, and 2) remove the two rear screws that anchor the top panel.  Three ground wires and two pump wires must be disconnected.

I suppose if there's a question here, it's whether anyone can recommend a substitute "grease" of equivalent properties as the Samsung OEM in case lack of massive quantities of it on the new rods does lead to a problem with excess tub oscillation.
 
 
That problem as I recall was (claimed to be) related to user-error regards to washing heavy bedding and water-proof items on the wrong cycle with other items, at too high of a spin speed.  Spin may balance with a pocket of water trapped in the waterproof item, then the item shifts position and the trapped water releases which throws the balance wildy askew, causing the machine to destruct.  The fix was to add additional anchors to prevent the machine top from coming loose and a stick-on relabeling of the cycle dial to indicate the Delicate cycle as also being for Waterproof items.
 
Samsung top load washers

That problem as I recall was (claimed to be) related to user-error regards to washing heavy bedding and water-proof items on the wrong cycle with other items, at too high of a spin speed.

Probably not the best laundry habits, but a machine shouldn't be so fragile that doing that would cause it to literally self-destruct.

All these rules that need to be followed with new machines are enough to make a person's head spin. I understand most of them are laundry rules/guidelines that should be followed anyway, but it shouldn't be absolutely detrimental to the machine lasting more than 3 years to break them.
 
 
Yeahbut, users have some responsibility to operate machinery correctly.  Kinda like not driving a car, 18-wheeler, dune buggy, motorcycle, bicycle, etc. into the wall of a building, another vehicle, pedestrian, etc.  Running a blender with the lid off and blaming the manufacturer.  Putting 5 lbs of cat litter into a dishwasher.  Many other scenarios.  We get to the point that washers have sufficient intelligence to analyze the composition of a load and refuse to treat it as the consumer wants = outrage!
 
I understand that, but the typical consumer is, I think, used to doing laundry a certain way. Let's take my household of two people as an example. We don't generate enough laundry to wash a bunch of separate loads, so I don't go any further than keeping towels and bedding in their own loads. All clothing is basically washed together as we have very few whites or delicates. I wouldn't say my laundry habits are necessarily atrocious or terrific, just average. My DD can handle this just fine, but I bet there's something I'm not doing right when it comes to a HE TL. I've looked at the user manuals for them just out of curiosity and I felt like I was learning how to operate a computer, not a washer. I'd be willing to re-learn if I ever had one, but I think there's only so far the average consumer is willing to go when there's a learning curve to something as "mundane" as laundry.
 
Reply #4 is correct, consumers do have a responsibility for operating AND maintaining machinery correctly. It’s really amazing how foolish people can be, people like to blame the manufacturer for something that they caused when it was them, not the manufacturer. People really should learn to operate and maintain machinery/equipment but usually like to use the “busy” card since most people like to give the spiel on how they are “busy” and “don’t have enough time” but am skeptical about that since if you plan things out, you will have time to take the dryer apart or change the oil in the vehicle etc since it really doesn’t take that much time to do those things. Oh well, just let people learn the hard way once the dryer goes up in flames or the engine locks up/fails prematurely do to lack of maintenance, you will REALLY be up a creek without a paddle once those things happen but sadly people will just use every excuse in the book to not do those things as preventative maintenance.
 
Exploding washers

This was a problem that caught Samsung LG and whirlpool Maytag and GE by surprise, because these new top load washer spin it over 1000 RPMs waterproof bedding that held water until high speed was reached and then the water was suddenly released caused the machines to get violently unbalanced and badly damaged themselves.

 

Even a 1954 Frigidaire UniMatic probably would self destruct it under the same conditions this type of padding was not common back then.

 

The manufactures of these new high efficiency top loading washers are now warning consumers so consumers do have a responsibility to follow the instructions and use them properly.

 

The real lesson here is they shouldn’t even be making top load washers anymore people should buy front loading washers, front loading washers do not have this problem because of the way they tumble before spinning.

 

John L
 
Front load washers

John, believe it or not I actually agree with you re front load washers. I have an old direct drive top load Whirlpool as I am on a tight budget but if I were to buy new a front loader is probably what I would do. I don't think the HE TL's are very good machines. I just have depth concerns with a front loader fitting in my laundry closet, have to be able to close the closet doors completely as they can't stick out into the hall--my wife needs to get through there with her wheelchair. But I do see the point that front load is what everyone should probably be doing, maybe we'll get there someday.
 
New FL Washers

Hi Ryne, It is easy for almost anyone to have a new FL washer today, a lot of our customers that do not have room for the new super sized machines get a European sized 24" wide FL machine.

 

These are as large in load capacity as older US extra large capacity TL machines and will easily wash a queen sized comforter.

 

They can be built-up on a pedestal if the machine is too low for some users.

 

John L.
 
European front loaders

This is encouraging news, if my DD dies I will remember this information. But honestly as you may remember I've had washer drama off and on most of the summer and have had no trouble for a few months now, would like to keep it that way for a while LOL
 
 
The model WA50R5200A of question maxes at 750 RPM.  Choice of 4 spin speeds or No Spin (RPM of each not stated).  Rated 5.0 cu ft capacity.

The user guide advises maximum 7.5 lbs / 3.5 kg for bedding.

Instructions state to soak inflatable items (blankets, cotton-filled or microfiber quilts) in water before loading to avoid possible damage to the item or washer during the washing or spinning process ... presumably to fully saturate the item and avoid bubbles.  Don't wash differernt types of bedding (blankets, sheets, comforters) together.  Don't wash waterproof and non-waterproof items together.  A graphic illustrates how to fold large blankets or comforters criss-cross for loading.
 
I think where the problem lies is:

That most modern HE top loaders are utter pieces of s--t! I get being careful about how you use a new unit within limits, but in my honest opinion, they are built way to fragile, and are way too in effective to bother with. All appliances should and were built to withstand a certain amount of abuse. It appears to me, that it is just an excuse to build sup par quality and blame the consumer for abusing the equipment. This is just my opinion omly, and can be accepted, or not accordingly.
David
 
Grease

What little bit is there will suffice. I’ve done many, many rod sets and never added grease. The factory grease seems to me more like a sticky wax type. I have a tube of Bosch sunroof grease for my old Mercedes that is near perfect consistency but sadly they discontinued that a few years ago. Only $15 for a large tube.
 
What the hell is up with this crappy suspension rod design that most are adopting now? I guess it's cheap to manufacture.
 
Reply #13

Even though my user name is Maytag85, just refer to me as Sean A806. Wish there were a way to change my user name but that’s the only name I could think of when I created my account on AW back in 2017.
 

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