No Major I did not. I believe that the machine had been serviced by someone (sears I believe) because I fixed a refrigerator also that sears had looked at, for the same people. And the entire bottom of the machine looked brand new, nice shiny taught springs no wear on skate plate or the 3 pads that were there. When I got to the machine it was in the garage so any debris from laundry room would have been gone before I got there, or possibly it came from the factory without them. I also took the machine back to my shop so they could have easily been lost along the way. Still think I would have found some sort of hint that they were there. But it did not look like it.
I have to admit that I did not know about the other set. So I cant hold that one against sears. lol
Just got a call to go fix a cabrio. Those are some garbage machines there.