Photos: Whirlpool Duet washer with bad bearings, only 2.5 years old!

[AJ]

Here are some photos of a Whirlpool Duet washer that we had to replace the tub and basket on because of the bearings. 









WHIRLPOOL Duet Outer Tub, part number: AP4426951





Whirlpool Duet Basket, part number: AP4459040





L-68 Whirlpool Duet Front Loading Washers Service Repair Manual

[Pegi]

Oh Yuck!!  Guess I better pull my Duet out and take a look at my bearings, not having any problems but it is about 6 years old...

[Pegi]

Of course I use HE soap and not much, suds eat the bearings so this is a good photo to show people to use ONLY HE SOAP AND 1-3 TABLESPOONS ONLY....and no you cannot just use less of regular soap..that stuff suds up and clogs front load washers and eats bearings...suds is the enemy of all front load washers..

[volkskid]

Wow! You need to replace the whole tub just to replace the bearing? Mine is starting to get really loud when it's spinning in the fast cycle. We never used anything other then HE soap in this thing. I'am affraid to see what is lurking behind those panels once it's opened up.
Thanks for the pictures........this really clears up alot for me!

[AJ]

Wow! You need to replace the whole tub just to replace the bearing?

Yes I m afraid so.

I must say over all these duets have been good machines.
Much, much better then the Maytag MAH3000 and MAH4000 Neptune front load washer.

How old is your duet washer?

[JWWebster]

I am looking forward to working on one of these

[AJ]

Have fun JW

[volkskid]

My Duet is only 2 years old in April..........I had the pump changed at 6 months. I'm starting to feel as though these machines are not as reliable as I thought.

I have a question though. Is this bearing in contact with water/soap all the time when washing? Is this not a sealed bearing? I don't see the logic. As I mentioned in my previous post, we only ever used HE soap. Is there anything else that can cause this bearing to go bad? I have read the instructions over and over, and done the services they ask for.

Thank you in advance for any answers you will have for me!

[whirlpooltech]

Is this bearing in contact with water/soap all the time when washing?

No, it is higher then the water level.

I don't understand how or why they really fail eather.

The seal that should keep the water out of the bearing leaks.
This lets water get into the bearing. After the bearing is able to get wet things start to go bad.

Why does the seal fail and leak?
It does not sit in water?

Even if it did they have made top load washer were the tub seals sit in water all the time and they held up better.

[volkskid]

Well thanks for the answers. I am glad that I took an extended warrenty on my appliances, but after thats going to be up, I will enjoy working on them myself.

One worry I have is that I don t really know where to get parts at a good price for them. I am in Montreal Canada. Does anyone know any place that sells parts for these washers and driers?

Thank you again for the answers!

[RegUS_PatOff]

 

[volkskid]

Thank You very much for these sites!

[volkskid]

Well the washer Technician came today! Before he even touched the machine I told him it was the tub bearing, I spun the tub by hand... He agreed, took the product number and said "see you in a couple of weeks, we have to order the parts."

So we will have to live with the sound of a jet taking off for awhile more.....I just hope nothing further gets damaged!

[AJ]

It should be fine for a couple weeks.
I have known some of these machines to run with bad bearings for a month or longer.

[volkskid]

Hehehe....a month? Mine has been getting noiser and noiser...it's been about 6 month's if not more! I think I was getting used to it, until my brother in law who has the same machine said his is not that loud...! Now I can hear it from the third floor!

Anyway, thanks for all the advice!