TheSamba.com :: View topic

Mon Dec 15, 2025 12:00 pm

Any of you still running one of these and are familiar with fixing them?
My tub won’t spin sometimes during the spin cycle. I replaced the clutch a month ago and it seemed ok but now it’s doing it again. Any thoughts?

Mon Dec 15, 2025 1:04 pm

Onceler wrote: My tub won’t spin sometimes during the spin cycle.

On some washers, won't go into spin dry if the water pump has removed most/all of the water.

Mon Dec 15, 2025 6:33 pm

On the 1st generation front-loaders (before ~2007), I became intimately familiar with the F5 fault.

The plastic shocks (4) that support the bottom of the outer tub have a tendency to break with heavy, unbalanced loads. When this happens, the inner tub rarely becomes balanced enough to start the high-speed spin. When both front shocks break, the outer tub will move around enough to break the wires leading to the fill sensor, located at the bottom front of the outer tub.

Replacement shocks are not that expensive and the front shocks are not hard to replace. Be sure to wear gloves, as the steel frame the shocks lock into is not deburred.

Mon Dec 15, 2025 6:48 pm

Buy an old top load machine fix any defects and you will be good for the next 30 years. New appliances are junk. If it has a chip or board in it, run away. Mine is near 40 years old, runs fine, did replace the old water valve in it, it was like about 20 bucks. and the timer wore out, NOS part was like 30 bucks. she just runs and runs, cleans well, cleans fast. no locking door either, so I can add clothes during the cycle without having to restart.

Old machines can be had for little money, they are built to last, like the old VW Bug, ease of service, reliable.

Mon Dec 15, 2025 8:57 pm

Onceler wrote: Any thoughts?

Buy a basic Speed Queen and end your misery.

Whirlpools aren't what they used to be 30 or 40 years ago. It seems they and most other brands have decided to put their manufacturing $$ into ridiculous bells and whistles instead of durable components and simple, reliable designs.

Tue Dec 16, 2025 2:22 am

You have to stay commercial to go the low obsolescence route. My Amana turned into a toaster after I couldn’t buy the gasket between tub and motor after 20 years. I had replaced motor about 3 years before

You also have to sign up to do all the work yourself or have a contract. Pay as you go will break the bank.

Tue Dec 16, 2025 5:14 am

[quote="OldSchoolVW's"] Onceler wrote: Any thoughts?

Buy a basic Speed Queen and end your misery.

Ditto!

Tue Dec 16, 2025 7:16 pm

zerotofifty wrote: Buy an old top load machine fix any defects and you will be good for the next 30 years. New appliances are junk. If it has a chip or board in it, run away. Mine is near 40 years old, runs fine, did replace the old water valve in it, it was like about 20 bucks. and the timer wore out, NOS part was like 30 bucks. she just runs and runs, cleans well, cleans fast. no locking door either, so I can add clothes during the cycle without having to restart.

Old machines can be had for little money, they are built to last, like the old VW Bug, ease of service, reliable.
True.
Our "new" Maytag washer is 41 years old and has needed ZERO repairs.
Our dryer is older-------it was built in 1961 and we bought it used in 1965.
(30 years ago I had to replace the timer--I was disappointed that it failed so early in its life))
Both of these machines are genuine Maytags made in Newton, Iowa by stubborn Dutchmen.

Tue Dec 16, 2025 7:55 pm

OldSchoolVW's wrote:
Buy a basic Speed Queen and end your misery.

I had a chance to grab one of those for free sitting on the curb in West Hollywood back in the 80s. Looked to good to be true so I kept on driving :wink: :shock:

We have a high-end Electrolux set front loader for the last 15 years. It’s so meh. I’m surprised it’s still working. The old top loader early 90s Kenmore (whom ever made it) in our other home was fantastic. Everything just seemed cleaner and dried faster. I think a lot of the eco friendly “things or incentives ” made the modern washer and dryer’s not great or long lasting.

Tue Dec 16, 2025 10:18 pm

Xevin wrote: OldSchoolVW's wrote: Buy a basic Speed Queen and end your misery.
I had a chance to grab one of those for free sitting on the curb in West Hollywood back in the 80s. Looked too good to be true so I kept on driving :wink: :shock:

:shock:
Ah, the foolish things we did in our youth. :wink:

As well built as they are today, they were built like a tank back then. If you'd have fixed up that beast you'd still be doing laundry with it.

Yes, those old Kenmore washers and dryers were great. Simple, well built and reliable.

Honestly, do we really need anything more than:
Water temp - cold, warm, hot
Load size - small, medium, large
Agitation - gentle, normal

Wed Dec 17, 2025 2:44 am

With seven ladies in the house and 6 animals our machines got heavy use. Women are demanding and won’t leave the house with crap all over them like me. Add in two sports a season and you really pound the machine more then the bachelor two pairs of underwear a week.

How did Wall Street genius Eddie Lempert destroy the Kenmore brand with 50% retail share and raid the pension fund in a few short years? Bad story

Wed Dec 17, 2025 6:53 am

I bought my 1981-made Maytag dryer in 1988. I've replaced the heating element, glides, belt and belt idler, and last week replaced a 5" wire with crimped ring on one end and a crimped 14" female connector on the other going to the heat coil assembly.

Wed Dec 17, 2025 9:03 am

I miss my old top loading Maytag in the 1980s. Two failures, both repairable. A rust pinhole in the tub, patched. And a belt idler pully whose squeak drove me nuts until I replaced it. Moved and no longer have it. I expect its still washing clothes for somebody else.

Fri Dec 19, 2025 4:34 am

[quote="mrinnovation1"] OldSchoolVW's wrote: Onceler wrote: Any thoughts?

Buy a basic Speed Queen and end your misery.

Ditto!

The relief she provided was only temporary, and it was more a rental situation