Epic/Duet/Kenmore HE door hinge and catch action

I have the same complaint about my Duets, both washer and dryer. I tightened up the the latch component on the door, which was loose upon delivery, but that didn't change anything. When I was first interested in a Duet a few years ago, I decided I would wait until they had a better system for the latch with the hopes that by the time I was ready to buy, prices might come down. Well, that didn't happen and I ended up with the 1st generation Duets which were an offer I couldn't refuse on clearance. I'm used to it now but am careful of both the latching mechanism as well as the hinge.

The dryer is even worse than the washer, IMO. My old center dial Maytag used a simple magnetic "latch" for the door. The Duet has prongs top & bottom that require the user to really push on the door to make sure it's securely closed, and I don't like the protruding parts associated with this system. It strikes me as latching overkill.

It appears your Epic has the same door design as my Duet. I saw that the top of the washer door is chopped off to clear the detergent dispenser, just like mine is. The new Duet design doesn't have the chopped off door. Maybe the latching has improved on those also. I haven't checked them out.

I've decided that the rather crude latching arrangement is a small tradeoff for all of the attributes about my Duet washer that make it far superior to the top loader it replaced. Hope you are enjoying your Epic despite its less than desirable latching mechanism.


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Post# 227413 8/3/2007 at 21:14 (6,108 days old) by dnastrau (Lords Valley, PA)
Checkrate/Likes Hi everyone: We have a new Maytag Epic (as posted in another thread) that we just got yesterday. The machine performs beautifully, but I am not crazy about how the door latches. It almost seems to be out of adjustment. When closing the door, it closes firmly but does so with a disconcerting "snap." The catch on the door is plastic and seems to "float" as it has elongated holes and can be moved from side to side without loosening the screws. After closer inspection, it looks like it is supposed to be this way as the screws seem to be bottomed out and it holds it enough to slide with a moderate amount of resistance. I made sure it was centered in the latch hole when closing the door. This did not improve the "feel" of the door latch action. I did not touch the screws holding the catch to the door. The door itself drops down a bit when you open it, but does not hit the trim. A tech on the Internet posted that he "tweaks" (bends up?) the door a bit on Duets if they do not close properly. On our Epic, the hinge seems tight and raising the door up a bit just before closing it does not feel like it would tweak/bend anything unless a lot of force is used. Sounds like a "get a bigger hammer" solution to me. I am a perfectionist when it comes to machines and I just want to make sure our new washer is OK... Anyone out there with an Epic/Duet/Kenmore HE care to comment on their door action? Thanks! Andrew S.

Post# 227415 , Reply# 1 8/3/2007 at 21:19 (6,108 days old) by pulsator (Saint Joseph, MI)
Checkrate/Likes Every Duet/Kenmore HE I have encountered does this, my guess is that it's just the plastic door itself flexing, it wouldn't do this if the door was made of METAL like a MIELE'S, but our Duet has been in heavy operation since January 1st, 2003 and the door has never given us any trouble, you get used to the door dropping after a while...

Post# 227424 , Reply# 2 8/3/2007 at 21:48 (6,108 days old) by dnastrau (Lords Valley, PA)
Checkrate/Likes *If this is how they all are...* ... I am OK with it. I am going to look at the ones at the store to compare as well. The big Miele is beautiful, but I can't swing that much loot at this point. Thanks for the feedback Jamie. Andrew S.

Post# 228065 , Reply# 3 8/6/2007 at 11:47 (6,106 days old) by rp2813 (Sannazay)
Checkrate/Likes I have the same complaint about my Duets, both washer and dryer. I tightened up the the latch component on the door, which was loose upon delivery, but that didn't change anything. When I was first interested in a Duet a few years ago, I decided I would wait until they had a better system for the latch with the hopes that by the time I was ready to buy, prices might come down. Well, that didn't happen and I ended up with the 1st generation Duets which were an offer I couldn't refuse on clearance. I'm used to it now but am careful of both the latching mechanism as well as the hinge. The dryer is even worse than the washer, IMO. My old center dial Maytag used a simple magnetic "latch" for the door. The Duet has prongs top & bottom that require the user to really push on the door to make sure it's securely closed, and I don't like the protruding parts associated with this system. It strikes me as latching overkill. It appears your Epic has the same door design as my Duet. I saw that the top of the washer door is chopped off to clear the detergent dispenser, just like mine is. The new Duet design doesn't have the chopped off door. Maybe the latching has improved on those also. I haven't checked them out. I've decided that the rather crude latching arrangement is a small tradeoff for all of the attributes about my Duet washer that make it far superior to the top loader it replaced. Hope you are enjoying your Epic despite its less than desirable latching mechanism.

Post# 228123 , Reply# 4 8/6/2007 at 16:58 (6,106 days old) by washertalk ()
Checkrate/Likes I have to admit I had not even noticed that. Then When I read your post I checked it out and sure enough the latch on the door automatically adjusts by sliding if it needs to. When you close the door it makes a kaaa-LUNK sound and when you open it just sounds like opening my dryer. Its fine for me. As far as the door, they are round. Mostly in the past we have been used to rectangular and square doors that easily allow for 2 or more simple hinges, which means you can guarantee where the door will sit. With a round door there is only one spot to hinge so that hinge has to be strong and flexible. When you throw in the extra weight of a large solid glass door and plastic outer window and the need to make sure the door will withstand the pushing from the inside of laundry and water it must have been kind of a challenge. The hinge itself is quite heavy duty and is not just a simple hinge like you would find on a dryer. The hinges themselves have to withstand humidity and chemicals.

Post# 228160 , Reply# 5 8/6/2007 at 20:03 (6,105 days old) by dnastrau (Lords Valley, PA)
Checkrate/Likes *So far so good* The machine has been great so far, and I am getting used to the door. I guess I just don't like the feel of it when it is being closed. Andrew S.