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How To Replace a Washing Machine Snubber
 To
limit noise and vibration in a washing machine, manufacturers install a
shock absorber called a snubber. Over time the snubber and/or the
snubber spring will wear and loose their abilities to perform properly.
In the case of the snubber spring it will, after a period of time,
develop metal fatigue and no longer retain its "spring".
You can purchase a replacement
snubbers and snubber springs
online and save.
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Unplug
the washing machine.
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Use
masking or duct tape to tape the lid shut, as it will be
necessary to tilt the upper portion of the washing
machine to obtain access to the snubber.
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Front (view looking down) |
Figure 1 - Top view of washing machine with lid up,
highlighting location of snubber and snubber spring
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Slide a putty knife or
scrapper between the top frame and the main housing in the
front, approximately 2 inches from the edge. Push in until
you release the spring loaded clip. Repeat this on the
other side of the washing machine. The lid is hinged in
the back, tilt upwards, if there isn't a wall directly behind
the washing machine have someone hold the top frame upright.
With the lid upright the inside area of the washing machine
should resemble Figure 1.
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This one time where digital
cameras come in very handy. Take a number of pictures of
how the current snubber is installed. The snubber sits on
a pin that is part of the basket housing and is connected to the
main housing with a spring.
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Remove the snubber nut
and/or bolt, depending on the manufacturer, that holds the
snubber spring in place.
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Lift the snubber of its
pin, and the snubber spring should be removable (it might take a
bit of wiggling to release the snubber spring from the frame.
Some manufacturers, use a self threaded snubber rather than a
pin. If this is your situation, use a pair of pliers to
unscrew the snubber from its capitve bolt.
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It is generally wise to
replace both the snubber and the snubber spring, while you have
the unit apart. Although it is not mandatory.
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Install the snubber and
snubber spring in the reverse manner that they were removed from
the machine. Refer to your digital pictures if you have
problems in getting the parts to fit. The installation
should be similar to that of Figure 2.
Figure 2 - Location and mounting of snubber and snubber
spring
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Close
the washing machine lid, ensure that the spring loaded clips
have locked the upper frame to the main housing.
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Remove the tape.
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Plug the machine back into
its electrical outlet.
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