Kenmore HE4t 110.45986400 2 problems

[Joe]

Hi, 

I have the Kenmore 110.45986400 (HE4t) front loading washine machine.  Today, we were getting an F 02 code from the machine, which I guess (from reading online) is a pump/draining issue. I took the pump assembly out, cleaned out all the sediment from (the pump and hoses), and put it back together.  Tried to run it on Extra High spin and drain cycle and when it started spinning real high it made a really bad sound (sounded like rocks were loose in the tub).  I stopped, took the back off and the pulley and belt seems fine and the drum spins easily but makes a whirring noise. Put it back together and ran it on another spin and rinse (this time at medium speed), and once the drump started picking up speed, you could hear a ticking noise that got louder and it turned into a loud repetitious (banging) noise.  Also, took the discharge hose and put it in a bucket, and no water came out (although you can feel the inner discharge hose vibrating from the pump).   I'm thinking I have a bearing issue on top of the pump issue? 

Do you sell the bearing kit for my washer?  Do you think that is the problem? 

I'm guessing also that I will need a pump, but I'd like to deal with the bigger issue first if possible. 

Do you also sell the pumps if I want to order them together? 

Thank you

[BIG RED]

if your washer sounds like it has rocks inside during spin and your are not laundering rocks then you likely have a busted spider shaft which is the bracket that the bearings rotate on and it mounts to the back of the inner drum(wash basket} Depending on the model, many of those machines require purchasing the entire wash basket assembly which has the spider attached to it. Its expensive, plus you also need the bearing /seal kit and hopefully the outer drum hasn't been chewed up too bad by the busted metal spider and the off axis wash basket rubbing against it.One thing to look into is warranty on the inner drum as the spider is considered part of the inner drum when only available as a unit. i just checked your model and the inner wash basket with the spider is only available as a unit and retails for about $500. Check your warranty.

[Joe]

Hi, Thank you for the reply.  I called to make sure the bearing kit was available for my kit, and told them that I would call back to order it once I figured out if that was the issue. I spend about 1.5 hrs taking it apart today after work, and sure enough it is the spider arm is cracked in 2 of the three arms. The washing machine is about 13 years old, so not too bad how long it lasted.  The tub can be around $350, and then not sure about the pump as well, also we've had the board replaced once, so at this point I am calling it quits and we are going tomorrow to purchase a new one.  

I must say that the amount of work that seems to have to go into taking it apart sounds overwhelming, and this is my first taking a washing machine apart, it wasn't too bad once i got going.  It took about 1.5 hours to disassemble it (marking/taking pictures of all the parts that need to go back together), and about 45 minutes to put it back together.  I only wish it would have been all worth while, but at least it was a learning experience.

Great video on how to replace the bearing.  the only part that gave me a bit of trouble was removing the 4 stabilizer/shock units, other than that it was ok, definitely not something you can rush if you expect everything to go back right.

Thank you all for the great info.

[Jerrod Sessler]

Good job Joe-

Better that you didn't buy the kit and have to return it anyway.  Sorry it didn't work out for you.  I see that once these machines get over 10-12 years old, they are tough to fix in many cases as the spiders do tend to start to break.  That said, I have seen some that are near 20 years old and still going strong.  It hurts to buy the new units, the pricing is up hundreds of dollars for machines that don't last as long.  I have talked to people that take them apart as soon as they get them home (new machines) and coat the spider in epoxy and verify the bearing and seal so they can have a kit on hand.  We are selling kits for machines that are a year old... Wild that the manufactures are getting away with this.  The price of the machines continue to go up yet they are not lasting as long.

Jerrod