Do-it-yourself washing machine repair shock absorbers

In this article, we will analyze the principle of operation of the shock absorber of the washing machine, find out what this part is for and how to repair it if necessary. Depending on the brand of washing machine, these details may have their own characteristics.

What are shock absorbers for? They damp machine vibrations during operation, therefore they are located under the tank. When spinning at high speeds, the drum rotates quickly, the CMA begins to vibrate strongly. If there was no cushioning effect, then she would jump in place.

More modern CM models use dampers. Let's see what are the differences between these shock-absorbing parts.

Before replacing shock absorbers in a washing machine, consider their device:

• cylinder;
• returnable spring;
• piston with rods;
• gaskets.

Now let's move on to the shock absorber damper of the washing machine. The element is the same cylindrical structure, only without springs. In this case, a washing machine tank is suspended on springs. This feature contributes to better vibration damping, therefore it is used everywhere in new models.

How to independently check the correct operation of the shock absorbers? First, pay attention to the characteristic signs of breakage:

• If the part is poorly lubricated, the drum starts to rotate tightly.
• Making high revolutions, the washing machine makes a lot of noise, knocks, vibrates.

Second, diagnose the shock absorbers for the washing machine. How to do it yourself:

1. It is necessary to remove the top cover of the CM. Unplug it from the mains, then unscrew the two self-tapping screws that hold the cover on the back. Push it away from you and remove it from the case.
   
2. With a little force, press the tank with your hands so that it drops down. Now let go sharply.
3. Follow the movements of the tank. If he jumped up and no longer moves, the dampers are in order. If it starts to swing in different directions, you will have to repair the shock absorber or damper of the washing machine with your own hands.

What caused the malfunction:

• Wear of gaskets due to frequent use.
• Defective parts, incorrect transportation of the machine.
• Malfunction of the rod that secures the shock absorber.

Whatever breakdown happens, it is important to know how to restore a shock absorber in a washing machine with your own hands. Read about it below.

Let's find out how you can get to the damper. Proceed as follows:

• Suppose you have already removed the top cover.
• Shut off the water supply and disconnect the inlet hose from the body. There may be water in it, so prepare a container in advance to drain it.
• Now you need to remove the front panel. To do this, pull out the dispensing tray: press the latch in the center and pull the tray towards you.
• Unscrew the screws that secure the control panel. Two to three bolts are located behind the tray and on the opposite side.
• Release the plastic clips.

• Take a photo of the location of the wires on the panel and disconnect them, or place the panel on top of the CMA case.
• Open the hatch door. Having bend the sealing rubber, pry the metal clamp with a screwdriver, remove it.

• Insert the cuff into the drum.
• Unscrew the hatch lock bolts (UBL).
• Disconnect the wiring from the locking device, pull it out.
• Release the latches on the panel at the bottom where the drain filter is located and set aside.
• Unscrew the screws securing the front panel and remove it.

At the bottom of the tank, you will notice two dampers.They are usually attached using plastic rods on top and bolts on the bottom. How to remove a shock absorber from a washing machine:

• Put a nut on the back of the stem mount to disengage the latch.
• Grasp the stem with pliers and pull it towards you.
• Now unscrew the bolt at the bottom.

Some users are wondering: how to check shock absorbers when buying? The same as when replacing. Squeeze and unclench the part in your hand: if it is difficult to do this, then the product is working properly. If you squeeze the shock easily, it needs to be replaced.

Note! Even if only one damper is faulty, both must be replaced at once.

How can you repair a shock absorber in a washing machine with your own hands? First, pull out the insert that slows down the movement of the stem. If the stem moves quickly and easily, the insert (gasket) is most likely worn out. To replace it:

• Take a 3mm thick belt.
• Measure the length according to the diameter of the hole.

• Insert the cut piece of belt over the seal so that the edges fit snugly together.
• Before installing the stem, you need to lubricate the part to reduce friction. If you do not know how to lubricate the shock absorbers of the washing machine, use a regular oil-lubricant.
• Install the stem. Now you know how to fix a washing machine shock absorber.

For more information about the repair, see the video:

Parts may differ in different CM models, so don't buy at random. In the store tell the brand and model of the washing machine to the seller, and he will suggest you suitable items. Or go shopping with an old damper. Be sure to select a suitable spare part before replacing the shock absorbers on the washing machine.

Another complication. In some models of washing machines, in order to dismantle the dampers, you will have to pull out the tank with the drum.

To install, first insert the rods while securing the top. Then tighten the bolt at the bottom, assemble the machine. The repair is over. Having figured out how to change and check the shock absorber on the washing machine, you can start working on your own. Buy new parts or repair old ones - the choice is yours. The video will help you:

So that the washing machine does not jump during washing and spinning, its device has parts that damp the vibration of the drum and tank - these are shock absorbers. On newer cars, dampers are used, 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.

The shock absorber is a cylindrical device, inside which a piston and a return spring pass. There are gaskets between the cylinder and the piston, at the end there is a rubber piston and a rod. The damper has no return springs in its design. Springs in washing machines with dampers are taken out separately, a 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 taken out separately, in case of breakage and stretching, they can be replaced without problems. The shock absorber will have to be disassembled, but we will talk about this further.

You can check the shock absorber or damper for performance without even removing it from the tank. To do this, you need:

1. remove the top cover on the washer by unscrewing the screws holding it;
2. press on the top of the tank so that it moves down by 5-7 centimeters;
3. then abruptly release;
4. after that, look carefully, if the tank has risen up and stopped under the action of the springs, then the shock absorbers are in good order, if the tank began to swing like a pendulum, then repair or replacement of a part is required.

A broken shock absorber or damper affects the operation of the washing machine, and therefore their breakage can be suspected even before the "opening" of the machine. The main symptoms of defective shock absorbers are as follows:

• during washing and spinning, the machine squeaks and knocks heavily;
• the drum of the machine is spinning tightly, perhaps there is no lubricant in the shock absorber.

The shock absorber or damper of the washing machine most often has one of the following failures:

• with constant operation of equipment, the liner or the damper gasket may wear out, in some cases replacement is possible;
• mechanical deformations resulting from improper transportation or defects during assembly, in this case, repair is inevitable;
• when the bolts on which the shock absorber is attached are worn out, it simply flies off and dangles.

Important! Whatever malfunction occurs with the shock absorber, it must be eliminated very quickly, the operation of the washing machine with signs of breakdown is unacceptable.

To remove the shock absorbers, you need to access them. On different brands of cars, it is located on different sides. On some washers, it is enough to remove the back cover of the case, which is very 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 remove it to the top of the washer, doing this so as not to damage the wires going from the parts to the control module;
• having opened the metal clamp, remove the cuff and fill it into the drum;
• we unscrew all the bolts holding the front of the machine;
• we remove the wires going to the door lock or completely unscrew the lock;
• remove the facade of the case;
• at the bottom of the car under the tank we find shock absorbers;
• we unscrew the bolt with which the damper is attached to the body, or remove the latch;
• disconnect the shock absorber from the tank, by analogy with the previous paragraph;
• now all that remains is to pull out the broken part, check and make sure that it is broken, and then replace it, reinstalling the part in the 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 the replacement of the 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 does not detach from the tank, so in this case it is better to contact the master if you are not sure of yourself.

Replacing dampers is not always justified, especially if original parts are expensive and you are not going to do it yourself. Such a replacement can cost at least 3,000 rubles. 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 right with your own hands, watch the video below.