How to check and repair shock absorbers on a washing machine
To prevent the washing machine from jumping during washing and spinning, it has parts that dampen the vibration of the drum and tank - these are shock absorbers. On newer washing machines they use dampers, which are not much different from shock absorbers, because they have the same purpose. Shock absorbers are a reliable part of the machine and rarely fail, but if this happens, the question arises whether the shock absorbers can be repaired and how to remove them from the washing machine with your own hands.
What is the difference between shock absorbers and dampers
The shock absorber is a cylindrical device, inside of which there is a piston and a return spring. Between the cylinder and the piston there are gaskets, at the end there is a rubber piston and a rod. The damper does not have return springs in its design. The springs in washing machines with dampers are taken out separately, and the tank is hung on them.
Both the damper and the shock absorber are located at the bottom of the washing machine, in the amount of two pieces.
Unlike a shock absorber, a damper dampens tank vibrations much better. Due to the fact that the springs are placed separately, if they break or stretch, they can be replaced without any problems. The shock absorber will have to be disassembled, but we will talk about this later.
Functionality check
You can check the performance of a shock absorber or damper without even removing it from the tank. To do this, you need:
remove the top cover of the washing machine by unscrewing the screws holding it in place;
press the top of the tank so that it moves down 5-7 centimeters;
then release sharply;
After this, watch carefully, if the tank rises up under the action of the springs and stops, then the shock absorbers are in good condition, If the tank begins to swing like a pendulum, then repair or replacement of the part is required.
A broken shock absorber or damper affects the operation of the washing machine, and therefore their breakdown can be suspected even before “opening” the machine. The main symptoms of faulty shock absorbers are as follows:
during washing and spinning, the machine creaks and knocks a lot;
The drum of the machine spins tightly, perhaps there is no lubrication in the shock absorber.
The shock absorber or damper of a washing machine most often has one of the following breakdowns:
With constant use of the equipment, the damper liner or gasket may wear out; in some cases, replacement is possible;
mechanical deformations resulting from improper transportation or defective assembly, in this case repairs are inevitable;
when the bolts on which the shock absorber is attached wear out, it simply flies off and dangles.
Important! Whatever malfunction occurs with the shock absorber, it must be eliminated very quickly; operating a washing machine with signs of breakdown is unacceptable.
How to take off and put on
To remove the shock absorbers, you need to gain access to them. On different brands of washing machines it is located on different sides. On some washing machines, it is enough to remove the back cover of the body, which is quite easy to do, while on others you will have to spend a little more time to remove the front cover. This is done as follows:
remove the top cover by unscrewing the bolts and sliding it back;
remove the powder receptacle and the lower plastic panel;
unscrew the top panel and place it on top of the washing machine, doing this so as not to damage the wires going from the parts to the control module;
having unclenched the metal clamp, remove the cuff and tuck it into the drum;
unscrew all the bolts holding the front part of the machine;
we remove the wires going to the door lock or unscrew the lock entirely;
remove the façade of the building;
at the bottom of the washing machine under the tank we find shock absorbers;
unscrew the bolt that secures the damper to the body, or remove the latch;
disconnect the shock absorber from the tank, by analogy with the previous point;
Now all that's left is to pull out the broken part, check and make sure it's broken, and then replace it by installing the part in reverse order.
Note! In any case, two shock absorbers need to be replaced, even if one of them is intact.
It must be said that not in all cases, replacing a shock absorber can be carried out without removing the tank. In washing machines such as Samsung and Hansa, the tank will have to be removed, since the shock absorber is not detachable from the tank, so in this case it is better to contact a specialist if you are not confident.
Repair and its feasibility
Replacing dampers is not always justified, especially if original spare parts are expensive and you are not going to do it yourself. Such a replacement can cost at least $30. If you want to save money, you can repair the damper; usually you need to replace the liner in the housing. How to do it correctly with your own hands, watch the video below.
As craftsmen on forums note, such independent repair of shock absorbers does not bring the expected result. For some, the washing machine works correctly for 3-4 years, while for others it lasts for 3-4 washes. Therefore, many recommend not to bother with repairs, but simply buy new parts and replace them. Spending money will pay off in peace of mind.Well, if repairs don’t scare you, go for it, we’ll just wish you good luck!
The guy in the first video clearly has a non-working shock absorber after repair. Along the course of the rod, different resistance to movement is visible. And the culprit is the wear of the metal rod itself in the area of the main work on friction in the cylinder liner - it - the entire rod, must be ground with a caliber to restore a constant diameter along the length of the rod.
Why disassemble the washing machine to check the shock absorbers? The hatch opened and pressed the bottom of the tank with his palm so that it dropped about 5 centimeters. Then he abruptly released it; if it dangles several times, change the shock absorbers/dampers.
To prevent the washing machine from jumping during washing and spinning, it has parts that dampen the vibration of the drum and tank - these are shock absorbers. On newer washing machines they use dampers, which are not much different from shock absorbers, because they have the same purpose. Shock absorbers are a reliable part of the machine and rarely fail, but if this happens, the question arises whether the shock absorbers can be repaired and how to remove them from the washing machine with your own hands.
A broken shock absorber or damper affects the operation of the washing machine, and therefore their breakdown can be suspected even before “opening” the machine. The main symptoms of faulty shock absorbers are as follows:
If the drum spins tightly with extraneous squeaks, this is not a problem with the shock absorbers, but with the bearings.
Agree
The guy in the first video clearly has a non-working shock absorber after repair. Along the course of the rod, different resistance to movement is visible. And the culprit is the wear of the metal rod itself in the area of the main work on friction in the cylinder liner - it - the entire rod, must be ground with a caliber to restore a constant diameter along the length of the rod.
Why disassemble the washing machine to check the shock absorbers? The hatch opened and pressed the bottom of the tank with his palm so that it dropped about 5 centimeters. Then he abruptly released it; if it dangles several times, change the shock absorbers/dampers.