What oh WHAT did I get myself into! (Kenmore He4t)

[dustin92]

I picked up a Kenmore HE4T free today, in non working condition (they weren't sure what was wrong with it, but with the info I was given, I suspected the bearings or spider had let go) Apparently it was making an awful noise and left plastic shavings on the clothes. I got it home and the drum was quite obviously loose, but I gave it a very short run on an extra low spin to see what it might do- clunk clunk clunk. Didn't even let it get to full speed. I started tearing into it, and it became very obvious the spider had broken. The front tub ring was eroded away, and there were some scratches on the glass door. Finally got everything disconnected, took the pump off, and the trap was packed full of plastic shavings and gray powdery metal chunks (I was told the pump had been replaced not long ago). I got the tub and motor assembly out, and the front off the outer tub, more shavings and metal chunks. The front of the tub had been worn through in several areas, and into the counterweight in at least one area. No pictures just yet, but I will try to take some tomorrow when I get the inner drum out. Then it's on to figuring out what all is needed to fix it. I'm going to contact Kenmore/Whirlpool because from all I can find browsing the web, the inner drum and spider are sold as a single part, but there is a lifetime warranty on the inner drum. In that case, the inner drum did fail, and damaged the outer tub when it failed. Hopefully I can talk them into sending out some parts, if not I may save up and just order them new, the washer itself is in pretty good condition, other than the broken spider (and a nasty smell of mildew, but I think that may have just happened recently since it broke, door was closed when I picked it up) Not really that much scum buildup thus far. The heater is clean (no hard water buildup) so I doubt the sanitary cycle was used much if at all. I really would like to get it working because it's top of the line with all the bells and whistles!

 

[stricklybojack]

.
Yes pictures would be nice. If you can get some info on when and where this was originally purchased it may help you get parts. Most people never register their new appliance so with a little info, you can assume the role.

 

[vacerator]

broken spider, tub, etc.,

Typical front loader wear issues along with bearings. Part it out.
By the time you buy the spider, the tub, and bearings, that's at least a third cost of a good one.

 

[dustin92]

Well, the drum is out... And of course the spider is broken. It's in 3 pieces. Thankfully, no major damage to the back half of the tub, just some scrapes. Thinking I may be able to patch up the front half of the tub if push comes to shove. Pictures are as found, next post will have pictures after I've dug the scum out of everywhere and run a vacuum over it.

 

[dustin92]

Well nevermind on the after scum removal pics, I haven't actually taken them yet! I thought I had. The good news is the bearings still spin smooth as silk and quiet as a mouse.

 

[DADoES]

 
Repair can be done if one has the gumption and willingne$$ on fund$.  I refurbed a nasty Duet a few years ago, there's a thread on it in the archives.  Had bad bearings, bad pump, beyond-cleaning boot.  The spider wasn't broken but was in process of deterioration so I replaced the it/drum.  Sourced the bearings following what MattL did on his project.  The source also has a bearing seal which isn't exact to the original but it works.  The condition of your seal isn't clear from the picture but I'd be leery of trusting it on a new shaft.

 

[dustin92]

What's really surprising is the condition of the bearings, they seem smooth and quiet like new. Wondering if at some point they may have been replaced. The boot is in fine condition, no major scum or mildew. Nothing that can't be removed with a good scrubbing and a little bleach. My only problem is funds right now, from what I've seen, the inner drum/spider assembly runs $300+ new, so I'm going to first contact Kenmore/Whirlpool and see what they will do, if nothing, then I'll check with a used appliance dealer in town and see if they may have a good used one kicking around.

 

[stricklybojack]

.
The DADoES rebuild thread linked below:

Duet 9400

Refurb project started yesterday. Bad bearings. Pump protector. Discuss. (Or perhaps disgust.)

www.automaticwasher.org

 

[alr2903]

I wonder if you could find one on Clist with a bad board.  You might get all the parts you need on the cheap?   If the drum and spider are shared among different models?

 

[dustin92]

I know the Whirlpool Duets use the same drum and spider, now just to find one in good enough condition to use parts from. I did a quick scan of craigslist this morning, and found a Duet for $100 that may have bad bearings, but what condition is the spider in? Not really willing to pay $100 for something that may not be better than what I already have. Going to scan ebay for the possibility of finding a spider.

 

[vacerator]

re; Spiders

Now I know as no maker uses a carbon fiber spider, or at least coats them in poly urethane to make then less suseptable to detergent corrosion, it makes little difference. If one did, they would sell more initially, but theirs would last longer. Hence, they keep each other selling more new machines.
I bet the idea has been presented by engineers and shot down by bean counters.

 

[henene4]

I doubt plastic would be quite stable enough, and carbon fibre would be way to expensive to make. Though these parts are not quite the DW rack thing (You know, they are less then 10$ to make, and retail 10 times more), they surely aren't "worth" 150$ or more!

 

[dustin92]

Well, I just sent off an email to Kenmore, will see what kind of reply I get.

 

[vacerator]

Dustin,

if you get a reply from Sears, I can't wait to hear what it is, since their inside service contractor is now A&E appliance repair, and their call center people are only trained in simple issues of operation of appliances.
That washer was manufactured by Whirlpools Clyde division in Ohio.
An engineer there is who you need to e-mail.
Moog, TRW, and other makers of automotive tie rods and ball joints have been coating them with plastic since zurk grease fittings became extinct to prolong life. Once the plastic wears away from friction, then the part wears.

 

[dustin92]

Maybe worth emailing Whirlpool? I've sent two messages to Kenmore with no reply. Would Whirlpool be able to do anything or would it have to go through Kenmore even though it's a Whirlpool made machine? Pretty disappointed in Kenmore right now, they could have at least sent a reply.

 

[vacerator]

Dustin,

yes, maybe try the Benton Harbor office e-mail address.

 

[dustin92]

Email sent to Whirlpool, let's see if I get a reply from them...

 

[dustin92]

No reply at all so far from either Kenmore or Whirlpool. Very disappointing that they can't even respond to a nicely written email, even if to say they aren't going to do anything.

 

[centenialguy]

Dustin,

Seems to be the norm today. Many are automated anyway. Few real humans even read them.