Hotpoint Aqxgf149Piuk Drum Dropped

[gingerwinger]

The drum in my Hotpoint AQXGF149PIUK has dropped by about and inch when empty but around two inches when clothes inside. The inner metal drum is solid and does not move in the casing and no strange noises from the bearings. I have replaced the three tub assembly springs that hold it up and replaced the dampening legs underneath and still the same problem.

Is there anything else that could cause this drop? Belt has slight movement if pushed inwards to test tension so not sure if this would cause it. There is no unusual noises but is slightly louder at full spin which I think because of the drop.

Any help will be greatly appreciated.

[Whitegoodshelp (Andy)]

Are the top tub springs attached?

[gingerwinger]

Hi, thank you for the reply :-)

Yes I checked after the first wash after and have just checked now and they are still attached, as are the dampener legs.

[Whitegoodshelp (Andy)]

The only thing holding the main drum in place is the suspension and top springs, if the suspension is ok and springs on there shouldn't be any problem. Is it making any noise?

[gingerwinger]

When it starts to speed up its started to make a thud noise until it get speed up (only thuds/knocks a couple of times) and it stops so I'm guessing its because its sunk. The tub assembly does move back and forth quite freely but not up and down and the metal drum inside is solid. I was wondering if the tension in the belt was not tight enough so it doesn't pull down the back end enough making it look like the assembly has dropped at the front?

[Whitegoodshelp (Andy)]

Belt tension can't affect the outer drum. If you unplug the machine take the top off and shake the tub around firmly can't you hear something loose? A loose tub weight can account for a knocking noise as it builds up speed.

[gingerwinger]

Thanks I'll give that a go but that may stop the knocking but won't stop the drop.

[Whitegoodshelp (Andy)]

The only other possible cause of a tub dropping if suspension and springs are OK is a broken chassis, which would be very unusual.

[gingerwinger]

I have taken the top off and given it a good shake and nothing rattles but I have found that the front weight is banging on the seem of the front and left panel. The front weight is tight on but very difficult as there seems to be no way to take the front panel off. Can this be done on this model?

[edhorwood]

I have a different hotpoint model to yours, but had the same issue. In my machine, the height of the drum is determined by the two suspension struts under it, while the top springs hold it central from front to back. The suspension struts were made of two components, pin (attached to drum that slots into the spring unit) and the main suspension spring unit which attaches to the base of the machine on large rubber washers. I ordered just the suspension units and before fitting them, I examined the pins attached to the drum. One was slightly longer than the other, so I ordered those too. I made a big mistake in ordering non-genuine parts and they didn't last long, but then paid more money for the genuine replacements which are still going strong after 2 years. Have you replaced the pins AND the main spring housings? Have you checked the pins are tight? When you push down on the drum from the top it should sink evenly, and quietly. When you let go it should raise up with no sound. A couple of knocks can be expected with a largish uneven load when it starts to spin, especially large towels. If the suspension is faulty, then the drum will knock against the front panel because it is sitting too low down. Did you put the large rubber washers (About an inch thick on mine) between the suspension spring units and the base of the machine? not under the machine where the bolts go in, causing the suspension to be too low down?

[gingerwinger]

Hi Edd

Thank you so much for taking the time to help out, I'm very grateful :-)

I ordered two new suspension legs from Hotpoint directly and they contained the two plastic pins that connect the tub assembly and are bolted onto the base. I also ordered three new springs for the top but now it seems to have got worse.

I have seen in other websites that some lose balance because of water still in the drum and not draining away properly because of blockages. I removed the black pipe with the ball in it attached to the drum and found a 2p and 2 x 5p's in there and I removed the filter that contained a hair bobble and a load of gunge. Cleaned that all out and waiting for the next was to test if its still knocking so will get back with an update tomorrow.

Many thanks again for your assistance, really appreciate it

[edhorwood]

It must take in a lot of water? My drum fills to just above glass level and still doesn't drop with the weight. Won't the dropping cause a strain on the door rubber seal?

[Whitegoodshelp (Andy)]

Good point, overfilling would make it drop more than normal if it filled right up high. It shouldn't take that much in of course.

[gingerwinger]

I wouldn't say it over fills and clearing it out has helped a little but still banging on the front casing of the machine. I can't keep chucking money on items that don't fix it so may have to part company with it and bite the bullet and buy a new machine. It is 8yrs old and had a new drum assembly 3yrs ago so other items may go wrong.

Thank you all so much for you input its been really helpful and I appreciate it.