rinso
Well-known member
FWIW: I have often wondered if the problem of failing seals and bearings in front load machines is worse than in top loaders.
Back when the American world was dominated by top-loaders, I seldom heard of these components failing. I have heard that with many top load machines, clever methods were used to keep the seals and bearings away from the water. Driving the agitator and tub at a level higher than the water fills seemed to be one method. I was also told that low post agitator drives (such as Maytag, in the good days) were designed so that a bubble of air was trapped under the agitator during fill, helping to keep their seals dry.
With a front load machine, Could the seals be right in the line of fire, so to speak? Water (and corrosive chemicals like chlorine bleach) may have much better access to them just by the rotation and splashing of the water. Couple that with spin speeds often double that of some top load machines, and it seems the seals and bearings of newer front load machines are functioning in a much tougher environment than top loaders. I have also wondered if pressing the bearings in plastic housings instead of metal, makes them less able to dissapate heat.
Anyway these are just some lunatic ramblings on my part, any input would be welcome. Whaddya think?
Back when the American world was dominated by top-loaders, I seldom heard of these components failing. I have heard that with many top load machines, clever methods were used to keep the seals and bearings away from the water. Driving the agitator and tub at a level higher than the water fills seemed to be one method. I was also told that low post agitator drives (such as Maytag, in the good days) were designed so that a bubble of air was trapped under the agitator during fill, helping to keep their seals dry.
With a front load machine, Could the seals be right in the line of fire, so to speak? Water (and corrosive chemicals like chlorine bleach) may have much better access to them just by the rotation and splashing of the water. Couple that with spin speeds often double that of some top load machines, and it seems the seals and bearings of newer front load machines are functioning in a much tougher environment than top loaders. I have also wondered if pressing the bearings in plastic housings instead of metal, makes them less able to dissapate heat.
Anyway these are just some lunatic ramblings on my part, any input would be welcome. Whaddya think?