GE Frontload washer - knocking and banging on spin cycle

[Paul Brien]

GE Washer Model number WCVH6260F WW.  We have had it 5-6 years and it recently started knocking and banging and moving around quite a bit during the spin cycle and especially in the high spin cycle.  Below is a link to a video posted by someone on youtube which exactly replicates what we have been experiencing:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H1-7kq7PPxI. I've taken off the top of the washer to make sure the top springs were connected and not sure if it is possible that the dampeners are broken at the bottom.  No one knows what the problem might be and GE apparently are giving a bunch of excuses and false repairs.  One blog indicates that it might be a "board" problem in the machine.  Help!  If anyone knows what this might be, please advise.

Thanks!

Paul

[amark...@hotmail.com]

There are a number of things that could be causing the problem, and with a machine that is moving around as much as that and resetting itself it will Im sure cause some issues with the board. The springs or shocks at the top may be fine but you would have to take off the back and check the bottom ones. If they look to be ok, then I would then check the spider arm or also called the support. If that is cracked of broken then it could make it do that and its only a matter of time before the seal goes bad and takes out the outer tub bearings or even the shaft.

 

Amy

[tgood]

That's a broken spider.  Check your warranty, it should have a 10 year warranty.  Try to get GE send the parts do it yourself or have your own tech fix it.

[big...@yahoo.com]

I agree with tgood, that indicates a fractured spider. The owners manual for this machine is available here:

http://www.managemylife.com/mmh/lis_pdf/OWNM/L0603451.pdf

on pages 21 and 22 it gives the warranty information, the 'inner wash basket' has a 20 year warranty and it does note that client is responsible for the labor charges. It also notes at the top of both pages that "All warranty service provided by our Factory Service Centers, or an authorized Customer Care® technician."

You may be able to get GE to send you the 'wash basket' and fit it yourself but I have my doubts.

The GE part number is WH45X10079 and can be viewed here http://www.appliancepartspros.com/ge-basket-asm-wh45x10079-ap3997663.html other sources are also likely available.

I believe it is also likely that the seal and bearings have also failed, a quick way to check this is to remove the rear panel, item 263 in the diagram at the following link:

http://www.appliancepartspros.com/cabinet-cover-top-parts-for-ge-wcvh6260f0ww.html and see if there is a dirty brown stain running down the back of the outer drum.

[prbca]

Thanks Amy!  Where would I find the spider arm?  I have the back and top of the machine removed but don't have a schematic so I can locate that part.  Both of the top springs and the bottom shocks looked fine, but I have no way of testing the bottom shocks.  Thoughts?

Paul

[prbca]

Thanks tgood!  If it's a broken spider, where do I locate that part in the machine?  I have the top and back opening removed.

Paul

[big...@yahoo.com]

There are exploded parts diagrams available at:

http://www.searspartsdirect.com/partsdirect/part-model/GE-Parts/Washer-Parts/Model-WCVH6260F0WW/0432/0153200?searchedModel=WCVH6260F%20WW&blt=

The 'spider' is part of the basket assembly (it is not available as a separate part), item 311 at:

http://www.searspartsdirect.com/partsdirect/part-model/GE-Parts/Washer-Parts/Model-WCVH6260F0WW/0432/0153200/G6090505/00004?blt=06&prst=&shdMod=

It is highly likely you will also need the seal and bearings, which are not available separately from GE but come as part of the rear section of the outer tub, item 315 at the second link above. I believe Amy may be able to oblige with just the seal bearings?

Biguggy

[prbca]

Thanks Biguggy!  I went through your original suggestions and didn't notice any staining on the outside of the outer basket.  But, I guess that doesn't mean that it is still not possible that the bearings are gone as well.

prbca

[big...@yahoo.com]

prbc,

You are quite correct. It does indicate that the seal has not yet failed as no water is leaking through the bearing housing. The actual condition of the bearings can only be accurately be assessed once once the spider shaft is removed from the rear section of the outer drum.

Put it like this should it be my machine I would renew the seal and bearings. The cost of them now is minor to the aggravation that I would feel should I have to pull the thing apart only a short time after I had renewed the spider. I have not quite gone through that actual scenario but the last time I put new bearings and seal in one of ours I had not even got round to putting the dryer back on top when we suffered a minor flood. Someone very near and dear to me had left some nails in the pocket of one of her pairs of jeans which were the first things washed after the repair. One of the nails got to get through one of the holes in the inner drum but the head would not go through the hole in the drum. The nail scored a hole in the front section of the outer drum. I was not happy.

Biguggy

[prbca]

Biguggy,

Thanks for all the information.  What's funny is that I realized that the owners manual I have vs. the one you linked me to for my washer are different.  Mine only has the 1 year warranty verbiage, and no reference to the other extended warranty for the parts only??  Very interesting.  The number referenced on the bottom right hand corner of the manual states a date of 07-05 JR, and mine is 12-05 JR.  Obviously, Ge updated it when they recognized they would probably have some issues.  I've scheduled a repair and referenced what your manual said.  We'll see what happens.

PRBCA