Appliance Repair ?

[CateP]

Well it's been an interesting time since I started this inquiry. I talked to two appliance repair people and they both confirmed that the noise is probably a bearing issue and that the cost to repair would not be worth the money. One person said that the washers these days have a 6-8 year life because of the plastic used to make parts. (Sounds like "designed to fail" to me).

So now I am looking at a near future of washing cycles that end with the sound of a jet engine and a further future of having to by a new washer. Bummer. I think my mother had one washer for most of our childhood and replaced it once or twice in the 50 years they lived at the house.

Any recommendations for washers that LAST?

[ishoot308]

Originally Posted by CateP

Well it's been an interesting time since I started this inquiry. I talked to two appliance repair people and they both confirmed that the noise is probably a bearing issue and that the cost to repair would not be worth the money. One person said that the washers these days have a 6-8 year life because of the plastic used to make parts. (Sounds like "designed to fail" to me).

So now I am looking at a near future of washing cycles that end with the sound of a jet engine and a further future of having to by a new washer. Bummer. I think my mother had one washer for most of our childhood and replaced it once or twice in the 50 years they lived at the house.

Any recommendations for washers that LAST?

"Speed Queen"! It's the only good one left. Built like a tank. Barons sells them and they are not cheap! Wife bought one last year and loves it!

Dan

[SAMIAM]

If you haven't dealt with Barons......They are excellent. Same price range as the box stores and they have installation and service.

[ishoot308]

Originally Posted by SAMIAM

If you haven't dealt with Barons......They are excellent. Same price range as the box stores and they have installation and service.

I agree! They have been excellent with us in both sales and service!

Dan

[WakeboardMom]

I just went through this with my front loader!!!! Called a very reliable appliance repair person and he commiserated with me to say that it's a sad shame; there should be a class action suit. It would cost hundreds of dollars to repair, and it's a very common problem. He sees it all the time.

I have two top-loaders in two lake houses that are so old I don't even know how old they are!!! But my front loader is/was maybe 8 years old...probably closer to 5 and it was toast!

As someone above me said, "Speed Queen." Both the repair man and the applicance sales person recommended that brand. Old technology, but ridiculously reliable. The only advantage of a front loader is that they use less water.

I don't need any bells and whistles, so I went with this model:
http://www.dracutappliance.com/produ...sp113tw04.html

[ITD]

Originally Posted by CateP

Well it's been an interesting time since I started this inquiry. I talked to two appliance repair people and they both confirmed that the noise is probably a bearing issue and that the cost to repair would not be worth the money. One person said that the washers these days have a 6-8 year life because of the plastic used to make parts. (Sounds like "designed to fail" to me).

So now I am looking at a near future of washing cycles that end with the sound of a jet engine and a further future of having to by a new washer. Bummer. I think my mother had one washer for most of our childhood and replaced it once or twice in the 50 years they lived at the house.

Any recommendations for washers that LAST?

Depending on how handy you are you can attempt the repair yourself. It doesn't look too hard, but will probably take a few hours and you need some tools, like a relatively heavy hammer and a good set of sockets with extensions.

There is one video here on how to do it. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y-eAvoBI59Y Not sure of your model, but you can probably find instructions for your exact washer. The bearing kit with seals looks like $40 on ebay, and if the "spider" arm is broken, they run between 90 and 130 bucks.

Generally the way I look at these repairs is that if I can't repair it or if I break it further it needed to be replaced anyway. If successful you've save a lot of money and it will probably last as long as a new one. Best of luck.

[Outdoorsman]

Originally Posted by ITD

Generally the way I look at these repairs is that if I can't repair it or if I break it further it needed to be replaced anyway.

I am right there with you on that one!

My motto: "I will either fix it or break it so no one else can fix".

[TheProfessor]

Originally Posted by CateP

and replaced it once or twice in the 50 years they lived at the house.

Any recommendations for washers that LAST?

Listen. Skip the expensive ones. There are basically two companies that make washing machines. GE and Whirlpool. Yes, there are Korean ones and European ones.

Skip the front loaders. I know they look pretty. Won't mention the class action lawsuit for all front loaders. (Mold)

I had to purchase both a washer and a dryer a few years ago. I went to the online sites HD/Lowes. I got the absolute cheapest top loader washing machine and matching dryer. I paid $600.00 for both (prices are up a tad now). Got an Admiral. A brand name that Whirlpool acquired when Whirlpool purchased Maytag. This Admiral is the exact same machine as the Whirlpool.
Basic machine that washes cloths. Same with dryer (it dries clothes). And as a bonus it has some different settings.

Be sure to skip any that use sensors to either wash or dry. One more thing that can go wrong. Also skip the touchpad models. When that goes kaput very expensive to replace.

Speed Queen does sound like a good machine. Never owned one. Speed Queen does have an interesting past. LINK

[Outdoorsman]

Originally Posted by TheProfessor

Listen. Skip the expensive ones. There are basically two companies that make washing machines. GE and Whirlpool. Yes, there are Korean ones and European ones.

Skip the front loaders. I know they look pretty. Won't mention the class action lawsuit for all front loaders. (Mold)

I had to purchase both a washer and a dryer a few years ago. I went to the online sites HD/Lowes. I got the absolute cheapest top loader washing machine and matching dryer. I paid $600.00 for both (prices are up a tad now). Got an Admiral. A brand name that Whirlpool acquired when Whirlpool purchased Maytag. This Admiral is the exact same machine as the Whirlpool.
Basic machine that washes cloths. Same with dryer (it dries clothes). And as a bonus it has some different settings.

Be sure to skip any that use sensors to either wash or dry. One more thing that can go wrong. Also skip the touchpad models. When that goes kaput very expensive to replace.

Speed Queen does sound like a good machine. Never owned one. Speed Queen does have an interesting past. LINK

[Rusty]

Originally Posted by TheProfessor

Listen. Skip the expensive ones. There are basically two companies that make washing machines. GE and Whirlpool. Yes, there are Korean ones and European ones.

Skip the front loaders. I know they look pretty. Won't mention the class action lawsuit for all front loaders. (Mold)

I had to purchase both a washer and a dryer a few years ago. I went to the online sites HD/Lowes. I got the absolute cheapest top loader washing machine and matching dryer. I paid $600.00 for both (prices are up a tad now). Got an Admiral. A brand name that Whirlpool acquired when Whirlpool purchased Maytag. This Admiral is the exact same machine as the Whirlpool.
Basic machine that washes cloths. Same with dryer (it dries clothes). And as a bonus it has some different settings.

Be sure to skip any that use sensors to either wash or dry. One more thing that can go wrong. Also skip the touchpad models. When that goes kaput very expensive to replace.

Speed Queen does sound like a good machine. Never owned one. Speed Queen does have an interesting past. LINK

Well said and very true.