How to Replace Washing Machine Shock Absorber ?

How to Replace Washing Machine Shock Absorber ? So your washer suddenly decided to weirdly wobble during your wash cycle, and you don’t exactly know why. Testing the appliance may help you diagnose your problem. We can help you understand how to test a front load washer shock absorber so you can see if they have an issue.  The shock absorber in your washing machine works similarly to the shock absorber in your car, its function is to restrict the movement allowed by the drum when washing an unbalanced load.

Washing Machine Shock Absorber Replacement

Over time, the shock absorbers in your washing machine can suffer from excessive wear and tear. If you are having problems with the shock absorber in your washing machine, you may notice excessive movement in the drum. If you need to replace the shock absorbers in your washing machine, you’ve come to the right place. We have a wide range of replacement shock absorbers so you can be sure to get the right one for your model.

Washing machines have become an integral part of our lives. Their design contains dozens of different parts, each of which has its own purpose. Almost every washing machine has shock absorbers. This is a kind of suspension of the apparatus, which is used to dampen vibrations during the operation of the drum. This is a reliable and durable part, but if it fails, it becomes necessary to replace it. We will provide detailed instructions on how to do it yourself at home.

Integrity check and cause of failure

The first symptom that indicates that the spring or piston in the shock absorber is not working correctly is the appearance of squeaks or knocks. Also, tight rotation of the drum may indicate this problem. In the machine, the spring can be taken out separately. Such a shock-absorbing element is called a damper.

Checking if the shock absorber is working well is quite simple. It is necessary to remove the top cover, and then press on the top of the tank, achieving an offset of 5-8 centimeters. Release the tank abruptly and then see if it regains its position. If this does not happen, it’s time to change the shock absorbers. The most common causes of failure include:

  • Natural wear of liners or gaskets during active use.
  • Structural deformation caused by careless transportation of the product or a defect from the factory.
  • Worn out bolts holding the shock absorber in the correct position.

If this component fails, it must be replaced as soon as possible, as the operation of the machine can become dangerous. Remember that if one of several shock absorbers is damaged, all must be replaced. New parts guarantee the longest possible life of the device, while repaired parts may fall apart after a couple of washes.

Replacement procedure

Let’s find out how to replace the shock absorbers of a washing machine with your own hands. You will need a screwdriver and a set of keys. First you need to get easy access to them. On some models, it is enough to remove the back cover. If your shock absorbers are in the front, then you will need to complete the following steps:

  1. Remove the bolts and then remove the top cover of the washing machine.
  2. Remove the powder receptacle and bottom plastic panel. Be careful! Don’t damage the wires.
  3. Remove the cuffs and release the metal clamps.
  4. Unscrew all the bolts by removing the front of the machine.
  5. Remove the wires or completely lock the door.
  6. Dismantle the front of the housing.
  7. At the bottom of the machine on the sides are shock absorbers. Unscrew the bolt that secures the element to the body or remove the latch (depending on the specific model).
  8. Disconnect the shock absorber from the tank in the same way as described above.
  9. Install the new part and then reassemble in reverse order.

In the worst cases, it will be structurally impossible to disconnect the shock absorber from the tank. Then you just have to completely remove the tank. This is a rather complicated procedure. If you do not want to cause additional damage, contact the professionals. When buying new parts, it is recommended to pay attention to the article numbers in order to be sure that the product is compatible with the model of your machine.

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