Loud bang noise at end of spin cycle, smoke, smell

[Eduardo Pietri]

6 years-old Samsung WF410ANR/XAA. Last night it made a loud bang noise at the end of the spin cycle. Not sure if it stopped because of that, or it competed the cycle.  It showed 1 min. remaining.  I don't recall if the end-of-cycle chime sounded. Drum was filled with smoke. Smelled burned rubber. What is the likely culprit?

I emptied it and ran a spin-only cycle.  As it started picking up speed, it started making noise.  As it went faster the noise was louder-like a bad bearing!?  I tried it twice, but did not have the guts to let it complete the spin cycle and stopped it with 5 minutes remaining.

I watched your video. I tried diagnosing the problem but could not "feel" anything wrong.  The drum spins fine; some resistance, but "felt" normal.  Drum was tight, no play within the outer casing.  I took everything apart.  However... I do not "see" anything wrong/bad/damaged.  Bearings are intact; they turn fine and feel tight, not loose. No grinding noise or feel. They are oily, not dry.  No visual evidence of water between the inner and outer bearings.  Spider arm seem intact.

I may as well order your kit, but before doing that I wanted to know if there any specific evidence I should for to make sure that is the problem.

Thank you,

Eduardo

[Jerrod Sessler]

Eduardo,

I would look very closely at the spider.  Sometimes they can be cracked and it is difficult to see it.  Check the mounting bolts on the ends of each spider arm also.

Now that you have it apart, you do need to replace the bearings and seal but I would look for more than that given your description.

Check the outer tub for cracks also.  Sometimes the high speed rotation can cause damage inside the tub.  I had one even break through the outside tub one time as a result of one of the top springs breaking while it was spinning on high. It shifted the spinning weight inside the tub and broke the spider.

In a rare case, you may have gotten something in between the spinning drum and the tub also but you should have found something if that was the case.

Feel free to post photos or video of your parts also.

Jerrod

[Eduardo Pietri]

Ok.  Thank you for the quick reply.

After a closer inspection of the shaft, I found a thin metal washer and a small rubber ring at the bottom of the shaft.  I can't tell if they are separate parts and should stay in place, or if they are pieces of the seal that broke off.  They sit nicely in a groove at the bottom of the shaft. The attached photo shows those two pieces separated for clarity.

[Eduardo Pietri]

Oops. In trying to take apart the spider arm, one of the bolts broke off.  Even after all 6 bolts are off, the spider arm is stuck! I am using my heavy duty crow bar and it just doesn't budge.  I even dented the drum a bit in one place and the damn spider arm is still in place.  I think it is time for a brand new machine.

[Eduardo Pietri]

UPDATE... I got Samsung to send a Technician to look at it at no charge.  Based on my explanation of the events, the Technician recommended to replace the machine. In his opinion the drum became out of round and unbalanced and hit a side of the machine.  They don't recommend replacing the drum, instead, they are recommending getting a new machine. Drum is $200 (with spider arm and shaft), outer case with bearings, bolts, etc. is approx another $200.