kenmore top loader walking and shaking

[romanowski72]

I am having a problem with a kenmore elite model 110.23032101 it is a standard whirlpool direct drive system.  This machine is shaking starts out fine, but after it ramps up to the full speed the basket starts shaking and washer will walk, this is not the worst I have seen but enough where you can tell something is not right.
I have ran the machine without clothes and it still shakes, it is on my garage floor(cement) and I did check the leveling of the machine. I have pulled the agitator out and just left the inner tub, still does it. I have also ran it without the inner tub and I hear nothing out of the ordinary from transmission.
I also took the inner drum out and rolled it and it looks likes it is not out of round, and the balance ring does not look damaged and still has liquid in it. Is that just water in there?
The counter balance spring and the three other springs are all in great condition and not worn at all. The skate plate also looks like it is brand new and the pads looks perfect and they are situated in the correct positions.
I am stuck and out of ideas. Any suggestions?
Oh I also serviced the brakes and clutch both of those looked perfect. I did have a little play on the brake tube maybe 1/8" up down when removing the drive block. I dont know if this is normal or not, but I never noticed in on other machines but the bottom of the brake tube looks good and not worn down at all (I have seen some where the c-clip is gone from metal worn down).

[Bailey]

My experience with these machines and this problem have turned out to be the self leveling legs or the skate plate.

[romanowski72]

The leveling legs and the skate plate both look great. I got this washer of clist. and I think they had sears or repair guy out and they replaced all the springs, skate plate, and the pads trying to find the problem. Because it all looks new underneath.
I guess I will wait for a washer to come in to switch parts out one at a time to solve this puzzle.

[haroldsappliance]

Faulty leaking ballast ring is always a possibity.

[JWWebster]

Remove the ring and try it. I drilled holes in one and drained the liquid out once.

[haroldsappliance]

The fluid is in there to act as a counter weight. If it leaks out, your gonna have balance problems.

[lesguns]

sounds just like a shipping pin still in or skate plate not in right position.

[romanowski72]

Thanks for all the replies guys! It still has liquid in the ring I can hear it and I dont see anything leaking when or roll it or turn it. The skate plate is in the correct position I have checked it and rechecked it. I have checked all the springs and they are all attached and secured as they should be and no corrosion or damage. Machine is leveled on a cement floor.
I even tried a different brake tube. So maybe my ring has lost liquid just not all of it.

[MajorApp]

 Bailey
Technician
 
Member Since: Dec 2011
Posts: 272
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Re: kenmore top loader walking and shaking
« Reply #1 on: February 26, 2013, 05:47:05 PM »
Quote
My experience with these machines and this problem have turned out to be the self leveling legs or the skate plate

[size=78%]   [/size]

Bailey mentioned the self leveling rear legs. Sometimes they don't lock in completely from corrosion. Just a thought.

[romanowski72]

That makes sense about the self levelling legs, but they seem like they are working fine. and I put a level on machine diagonal and also pushed on the diagonal corners and get no give.
If they are not locking in correctly do I just spray some wd40 on them. There is no corrosion, in fact the machine is farely new.

[MajorApp]

It sounds like the legs are ok. It might be worth it to replace both halves of the plastic wear pads. You can't always tell if they are worn. Cheap enough.

http://www.repairclinic.com/PartDetail/Tub-Wear-Pad/285744/2978?modelNumber=110.23032101

http://www.repairclinic.com/PartDetail/Tub-Wear-Pad/285219/2979

[romanowski72]

Thank you major app, and thanks all that gave ideas and support in this problem solving quest. It was the lower pads were gone it did not have any at all they were gone. I did not look for them because I always thought they had three pads only but it did have upper and lower. so thanks again.
Reliable Repair Tacoma wa.
Bryan

[MajorApp]

Happy to hear you got it fixed. Even if you eventually replace every part on a direct drive top load whirlpool made washer it's worth saving.

[romanowski72]

I agree I work on thousand dollar machines all the time and I use the same direct drive washer in my house. No frills just a work horse.
 Thanks again.

[MajorApp]

Hey romanowski, did you find any remains of those bottom pads?