Thread Number: 90285  /  Tag: Modern Automatic Washers
Speed Queen TC5 Tub Lean 		[Down to Last]

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Post# 1148579   5/12/2022 at 17:54 (859 days old) by BlockEight88 (Northwest, IN)        

blockeight88's profile picture
Good day,

I have a 2 year old Speed Queen TC5000WN washer. I will try and get straight to the point. I like to switch between this and a Kenmore 80 Direct Drive. I am not sure by doing so if I have messed up the springs in the TC5. I have thoroughly researched the tub leaning and from my research, have gathered this is "normal operation". My issue seems to be more prevalent than others. My flooring was recently re done and since I have reinstalled the TC5, I cannot get the tub to excessively stop leaning.

The machine appears to be level front and back, side to side (maybe off very slightly, but still within the level lines). After about a dozen times re-leveling the machine, I feel I may have made matters worse. The tub is now leaning to the right rear (opposite direction of the motor torque). I have tried to add some foam to the front right spring to secure it in place, but that doesn't appear to be working.

I understand that all SQ washers will lean to some degree, but how do I get mine to lean at least forward with a little pull on the side?

I have read on these forums the best solution is to add some foam to secure the springs to help with the torque. Perhaps someone can share a photo of how they have tweaked the interior with foam because I’m stumped and don’t want to make matters worse?

Here is a link to my video demonstrating the issue.




?t=511

Any insight is greatly appreciated.





Post# 1148580 , Reply# 1   5/12/2022 at 18:00 (859 days old) by BlockEight88 (Northwest, IN)        
INTERIOR

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Here is a photo of the inside. Sorry, forgot to add before.

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Post# 1148666 , Reply# 2   5/13/2022 at 20:54 (858 days old) by BlockEight88 (Northwest, IN)        
Anyone?

 blockeight88's profile picture
This is really bugging me.

Post# 1148668 , Reply# 3   5/13/2022 at 21:03 (858 days old) by henene4 (Heidenheim a.d. Brenz (Germany))        

If you are moving it around regularly, you might given it a bit to much of a bump or so and ever so slightly stretched on spring.

I can't say how much work replacing the springs is and how much they would cost.
Maybe someone more knowledgeable about these machines could chime in on that.
But suspensions that rely on a certain symmetry of force can go out of place with even minimal differences in force. And on spring being ever so slightly weaker than the others seems to be a possibility.

At least over here, springs are often quite affordable parts though replacing them can be anywhere from tricky to outright dangerous without correct tools and procedures, so keep that in mind.

Post# 1148671 , Reply# 4   5/13/2022 at 22:03 (858 days old) by qsd-dan (West)        

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Post# 1148675 , Reply# 5   5/13/2022 at 22:39 (858 days old) by WindRivers (Wind River Range, WY)        

I know my TC5 also leans somewhat, I'll have to try to note how much as compared to yours on my next wash. But as you say, lean during use is common on this machine, and yours doesn't look particularly severe to me. The lean doesn't seem quite so noticeable during the spin cycles.

Despite the lean the tub seems to remain fairly stable; no abnormal wobble, no banging against the cabinet or other parts as far as I can tell. So I wouldn't think any excessive wear or other damage is occurring.

Personally I don't think I would mess with the springs as long as you don't visually see any problems with them. I think if they're so sensitive that a little use or handling would stretch or weaken a spring, by the time I manhandled a new spring trying to get it into place it would already be sprung, so to speak.

It is curious if the lean got worse when the floor was redone, but as long as the machine is level I don't see how it would matter.

Maybe you could send the video to Speed Queen as the machine should still be under warranty and see if they have any concerns.

I'm no expert so maybe someone can add to or correct what I've said.

Post# 1148678 , Reply# 6   5/13/2022 at 23:13 (858 days old) by WindRivers (Wind River Range, WY)        
One More Thought

 I had missed the link qsd-dan posted.

Yogitunes posted in part:

"motor torque is what pulls the unit towards the front....

your probably noticing it slightly more, as all the new equipment is probably gripping more, and really throwing some extra torque...."

I wonder if that may be why you're seeing more lean than before; my less than year old lightly used machine is still indexing a lot. Maybe as the brakes wear in and indexing decreases I'll see more lean, and maybe that's why your seeing more than you used to?

Again, I'm not real sure what I'm talking about.


Post# 1148682 , Reply# 7   5/14/2022 at 06:35 (858 days old) by BlockEight88 (Northwest, IN)        

blockeight88's profile picture
I really appreciate all the input. Maybe I’ll just leave it alone. I removed all the foam this morning and here is what it does. I guess compared to some, this isn’t that bad.

Inspection the springs, they seem fine. I think a little play is normal.

  View Full Size
Post# 1148686 , Reply# 8   5/14/2022 at 08:19 (858 days old) by Mrsalvo (New Braunfels Texas)        

I have a 2015 AWN432 and it has always leaned like that on a full load, it’s not quite as bad on small or medium size loads. It seems the lean is worse now than when it was new. But yes, I’m concerned about the excessive lean.

Speed Queen T/L seems to wash better with medium to small loads, in my humble opinion, as there’s not as much fabric wear and damage. That’s the main issue I have with Speed Queen. (I don’t fill my washer with dry clothes past the 2nd hole on the agitator column, it seems to do better. That and compensate with a soak and short wash times.)
The picture is a corner of a fitted bed sheet that I washed with a full load, more than I usually put in a full load and that’s what happened. I’m always mending and sewing up little holes. The sheets were not that old.

Barry


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This post was last edited 05/14/2022 at 08:42
Post# 1148697 , Reply# 9   5/14/2022 at 09:13 (858 days old) by BlockEight88 (Northwest, IN)        

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I usually wash pretty heavy loads. I don't overload it, but usually a full load of towels. I have noticed on my bedsheets, which are about 6 months old, do have some tears. Perhaps I need to change my laundry routine up.

So my tub lean is completely normal?

Can you post some pictures of yours?

Post# 1148740 , Reply# 10   5/15/2022 at 01:29 (857 days old) by WindRivers (Wind River Range, WY)        

I did wash about a medium load of whites, the lean on mine was less than I remembered, maybe partly because I generally wash heavier loads? I'm not sure.

I didn't get pictures, but I may try later in the week when I do a heavy load. If I had taken a picture tonight it wouldn't have made you feel any better as my lean wasn't nearly as significant. Plus as I mentioned my tub is still indexing quite a bit, I would estimate something over 50 degrees, if it makes a difference.

I haven't had a problem with torn sheets. I think mine are a cotton/polyester and cheap like most things I buy, things like the Speed Queen excepted, and I often wash fairly large loads, many here would probably say I overload.

A couple of things I could think of that could cause extra wear and holes is wrapping the sheets around the agitator when loading, washing in sulfuric acid, or washing kitchen knives along with your clothes. (I could probably think up more, but they may make even less sense than the last two.)

Post# 1148762 , Reply# 11   5/15/2022 at 13:58 (857 days old) by BlockEight88 (Northwest, IN)        

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Seems better after putting some foam around the tub on the back and right front side. Not sure if this is a long-term solution though.

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Post# 1148779 , Reply# 12   5/15/2022 at 16:43 (857 days old) by WindRivers (Wind River Range, WY)        

That looks just about like the lean I had on mine that I mentioned in the last post.

I wonder how other machines without the top hanging rod suspensions compared?


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