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Thread Number: 37751
Whirlpool Duet Bearing replacement |
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| Post# 561600 , Reply# 1 12/6/2011 at 21:44 (4,379 days old) by qualin (Canada) | ||
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If you can get a service manual, that would help.. I bet most appliance shops which sell Whirlpool could sell you the parts you need. It's my understanding that a bearing kit isn't too expensive to purchase. Good luck! | ||
Post# 561640 , Reply# 3 12/7/2011 at 01:10 (4,379 days old) by MattL  (Flushing, MI) |
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Interesting, thanks. I guess I'll tear into it at some point and see how difficult it is... | ||
| Post# 561643 , Reply# 4 12/7/2011 at 01:45 (4,379 days old) by arbilab (Ft Worth TX (Ridglea)) | ||
Sorry, this doesn't contribute to the solution, just an editorial comment from Mr. Obvious:
A 3yo TOL should NOT need bearings and seals replaced. But they do, don't they? That's something you used to have to think about at 25yrs. So design/component integrity has dropped by 7/8ths. Cynic that I am, that's even worse than I would have thought. The industrial world should be ashamed. | ||
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Post# 561703 , Reply# 6 12/7/2011 at 11:54 (4,378 days old) by Launderess (Quiet Please, There´s a Lady on Stage) |
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Whirlpool Duet Washer Problems
There are enough posts on the Internet regarding problems with the Duet washing machine including bearing failure on machines <5 years old.
As one has stated repeatedly with front loading washing machines there isn't a free lunch in terms of R&D vs cost. Either the thing is built to handle stresses of an average duty cycle or it isn't. Look at the bearings on commercial front loaders as well as those made by many TOL and even MOL European washing machines, they are much more substantial even for units rated to hold less laundry. What is the point of selling a washing machine that is marketed to hold 12 pounds of washing and spin at speeds >1100rpms if the thing must be babied to last? H-Axis washing machines normally perform best when used at or near their rated capacity. This includes less difficulties in balancing and spinning wash loads which in theory should place *less* stress on bearings). | ||
| Post# 561750 , Reply# 7 12/7/2011 at 16:47 (4,378 days old) by arbilab (Ft Worth TX (Ridglea)) | ||
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Thanks for that essay and comparisons. Duets look huge, like you could put two dogs in there (just an expression). Might invite overloading. But then there's that shaft diameter thing. How much more could a properly-sized 6" machined rod possibly cost than a skimpy one? The machining is the same and the material is not "that" expensive.
I'm accustomed to seeing US washers rated in pounds. But honestly I haven't looked lately. I'm sure marketing rates them by whatever standard makes them seem the most competitive, whether it's honest or not. My FL is always UNDERloaded, with assorted sizes that mostly manage to find balance. Might explain why it's lasted 13yr. It's a BOL Frigiwhite, nothing special. The drum looks 'packed' with a full queen bed set in it, but once it's wet there's room for another. I can see that if I crammed it full of towels, once they had soaked the water the mechanics could be straining. | ||
| Post# 561858 , Reply# 10 12/8/2011 at 02:51 (4,377 days old) by mark_wpduet (Lexington KY) | ||
My Duet pair is nearing 7 yrs. It does an average of 16 to 20 loads per month.
It has been overloaded before, but not that often. Usually it's a large/medium load where the drum looks full when dry, but when it tamps down it tumbles. Max spin is used 95% of the time. Hey Matt- Glad you got to see the clean washer cycle. Do you notice a difference in the use of water on the newer Duet vs your older Duet? | ||
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Post# 562098 , Reply# 14 12/9/2011 at 08:04 (4,376 days old) by MattL (Flushing, MI) |
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Will do...
From what I've gathered the bearings and seals are off the shelf items at auto supply stores, I wonder if there are differing grades available. Don't know if I'll tear into it before the holidays, but it's really got me curious. | ||
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