LG washing machine WD16223FD shock absorbers

[tathagat]

Hello there,

I recently replaced the bearings on the tub of my LG WD16223FD.

After putting everything back I realized that one of the shock absorber is pressed completely down and making loud noise during spin cycle. So I went ahead and bought a new one.

After installing the new shock absorber, it is also completely pressed and makes loud noise. You can see that in the attached video.

Now there could be 2 possible reasons for it

1. the new shock absorbers are also bad (fake) OR
2. I did something wrong while putting the drum back together.

The right (white) is the new one. The black is the original one.

What could be the problem? I am out of ideas :(.

Thanks!
Tathagat

[Whitegoodshelp (Andy)]

Did you definitely fit them the right way around? The washing machine suspension dampers sometimes have different requirements for left and right sides. This is because when the drum spins there is extra force put on the damper that takes the force of the drum spinning around. So for example if the drum spins clockwise when looking from the rear then the damper on the right (looking from the rear) should be stronger.

[tathagat]

Hi Andy,

thanks for the reply. I bought 2 new ones. They both are identical. So I am unable to choose the stronger one.

Another thing that I note is that the drum is hanging lower than it should. I can see it from the front as the rubber is hanging. Do you think that the springs on the top might have worn off cause it to press down on the dampers?

 

Cheers
Tathagat

[Whitegoodshelp (Andy)]

Springs on the top shouldn't need replacing. Did the original dampers have different colours on them? If they should be the same they should look identical. But if one has a coloured spot or other marker on it then that strongly implies they have different strengths and need replacing with the same colour. I can't imagine how one damper could be so badly out of line though. It's not upside down is it? I wouldn't have thought it possible for one to move over so far. 

It's not easy to see much on the video apart from how badly out of line the left one is. If you could post a decent photo or two of the back and looking from the top I might be able to spot something.

[tathagat]

Hi Andy,

both dampers look exactly the same. Today I put the older one back in as the newer one made it worse. So I could recheck. It's not upside down for sure. I never took it off completely in the first run. Only took the connector from the drum off so there is no way it could be wrongly oriented.

Please find some pictures from the back and top on this URL

https://photos.app.goo.gl/6rvEZJazE5v9jHKe8

Also a picture from the front showing that the tub is hanging a little lower than it should.

I don't know what I could have done wrong while putting everything back. All I did was replaced the bearings and put everything back together where it belongs.

Cheers and thanks!
Tathagat

[Whitegoodshelp (Andy)]

It looks like the fixing bracket on the tub for the left suspension damper is in the wrong place. The tub also looks twisted. Are the top springs fitted right? One has a yellow mark on it which indicates it's different from the other and designed for one side only. It's a shame you didn't take photos before you stripped it down, that's one of my number one recommendations.

[Whitegoodshelp (Andy)]

Also it seems strange that the spring on the right as looking from the front top is attached to a different type of bracket than the one on the left.

[tathagat]

I THINK YOU GOT IT!!!!

I have connected the right spring (the one with yellow marking) in the wrong slot. Sh*******T. I am lucky that it did not break! I confirmed it by looking at the video I followed to change the bearings.

Right now a washing is running. As soon as it is done, I guess I will have to open the machine again, take down all the weights and then reattach it in the right slot. Or do you think I can do it (re-fit the spring) with care without opening everything up again?

THANKS YOU SO MUCH!

[Whitegoodshelp (Andy)]

Excellent. I would stop the washing machine! Letting it spin with laundry inside and the drum so twisted, and with the suspension not working - you could do some serious damage to the washing machine.

After that, totally drain the water and disconnect from the mains. Then lay the washing machine down on its front and try to sort the top springs out.

[tathagat]

OK, I stopped it.

The front door has glass in it. If I lay it down on the front, don't you think it might break? It will take the weight off the springs for sure - good idea.

I am excited. Finally might fix it!

[Whitegoodshelp (Andy)]

No it won't break. Just keep the door shut. Make sure you drain the water out properly by lowering the drain hose into a bowl so water doesn't run out onto electrical parts.

[tathagat]

I just went ahead and took the weight off (I have done this 4 times in 1 week - so I am really fast in it now ) and fixed the spring in the right hook and MAGIC. It works perfectly.

I can't thank you enough!

Let me know if I can donate some money to the forum!

Thanks a ton again

Cheers
Tathagat

[Whitegoodshelp (Andy)]

Excellent news. Glad to have helped. I used to have a donation link but I took it down when I started using white goods related ads for spares, repairs and buying etc. If you need to buy spares or book an engineer etc just consider trying one of my links in the future thanks.

[Whitegoodshelp (Andy)]

As the drum weights have been on an off a lot, make sure you listen out for knocking noises over the coming months and from now on. If locking nuts were used (nuts with plastic inside) they may not hold as well and slowly come loose. If so and ignored the weights will rip the brackets off the plastic outer drum.

[tathagat]

Thanks for the heads up :). The screws were all metal so I am hoping that it does not happen. But now I know and will listen for the knocking sound.

Cheers and thanks a ton again!

[Whitegoodshelp (Andy)]

No worries. The fixings are under enormous pressure during spin as the drum weight is trying its best to get thrown off. Without loctite or locking nuts they will come loose.