Shock absorbers and dampers for washing machines

To prevent the heavy drum filled with water and laundry from rocking the whole machine, engineers have provided a shock absorption system. Its purpose is to dampen vibrations during the operation of the device. Shock absorbers are attached to the bottom of the tank. Over time, they can lose their elasticity and flexibility. In Bosch, LG, Samsung, Indesit, Ardo, Hotpoint Ariston and Beko machines, this is manifested by increased vibration and appearance of squeaks and knocking, caused by the tank hitting the machine housing during washing and spinning.

Externally, the shock absorber looks like a cylinder. In the cylinder there is a rod. It consists of a rod (holder) and a gasket impregnated with a special friction grease. The vibration is damped by the movement of the piston. When the tank is moved sharply, the piston plunges inside the cylinder, thereby reducing the vibration. Usually there is also a spring in the cylinder, which returns the piston to its original position (it is also called "return").

Most often subject to wear are the piston gasket and rod liners. It is these elements that provide the shock absorber with elasticity. Sometimes the cylinder also wears out. Sometimes the damper breaks into pieces or bends. Externally, this can manifest itself by methodical bumps or frequent malfunctions associated with a detachable washing machine motor belt.

In all of the circumstances described above, the shock absorber requires repair or replacement.

First, make sure that the problem is in the damping system.

Remove and remove the dampers from the housing of the washing machine. On some models this can be done by simply laying the machine on its side; the shock absorbers will be accessible from underneath.

On other models, the front wall of the housing must be removed in order to gain access to the necessary parts. This procedure is quite troublesome.

1. First you should unscrew the fixing bolts (they are on the back wall) and remove the top cover of the machine. Then the powder container and the panel, which protects the drain filter, are removed.
2. Next, it is necessary to unscrew the bolts and remove the control panel, located at the top of the machine. Take your time! In addition to the bolts, the panel is also connected to the machine with a lot of wires. Their length allows you to nestle the part somewhere nearby, without disconnecting it completely.
3. Now remove the collar from the front wall of the machine and tuck it inside the tank.
4. The final step is to unscrew the bolts at the top and bottom of the machine that fix the front wall. Do not forget to unscrew the door lock, otherwise the wires coming from it will not allow you to remove the panel completely. (An alternative option: do not unscrew the lock, but try to carefully pull the contacts out of it).
5. After all these manipulations the access to shock absorbers will be opened.

To check the damper, remove it from the housing by unscrewing the bolt located at its bottom. Try pushing it with your hand so as to squeeze and unclench the mechanism. If it barely gives way, the shock absorber is in working order. If the piston moves without much effort on your part, such a device requires replacement.

Ideally, if the ability to absorb vibration is significantly reduced, it would be sufficient to replace the worn parts inside the shock absorber or damper. More often than not, the gasket between the piston and cylinder fails, causing both to deform visibly. Of course, the gasket can be replaced by making a similar one from thick cloth. However, you should keep in mind that if you have done something wrong, the results of the "repair" can have a negative effect on the operation of the machine as a whole.

Spare parts for the repair of such devices are not made, because the replacement of this or that element of the part does not guarantee improvement in the work of the unit. When there are problems in the work of the depreciation system, professional repairmen advise not to repair its individual components, and completely replace them.

The springs allow the tank to hold its weight and return it to its original position during sharp movements of the mechanism. There is a small hook on each end of such a spring, which allows you to attach the metal coil to the tank and the body. The places near the fasteners are constantly subjected to a heavy load, due to which, over time, the spring becomes unusable or torn.

Before a replacement can be made, the damaged part must be removed. This can be done in two ways:

• Remove the spring from the mounting of the upper part of the housing;
• from the connection unit located on the tank of the machine.

In the first case, you must first remove the housing cover. Then raise the tank as high as possible and fix it in that position by placing an object under it. Pull the spring toward the tank and disconnect it using a pair of pliers. Now unhook the other end of the part from the car body and you can proceed to replacement.

If there is not enough room to do this, you will have to remove all of the interfering parts from the housing.

In the second case, you must also remove the wall at the top of the housing, lift as much as possible and secure the washing machine tank. Holding the broken spring with your hand, use a thin screwdriver or other tool to pry up and unhook the hook, which is responsible for fixing the part to the machine body. Then move the spring to the side and remove it from the bottom.

To replace a worn damper, first remove it from the machine body as described above. Some models have snap pins made of plastic instead of a mounting bolt on the bottom of the damper. To get such a pin out, you need to find the latch by feel and push it inside. If the pin is difficult to yield, a little grease treat it.

In the same way disassemble the mount that connects the shock absorber to the tank of the washing machine. The new part is installed in the tank in reverse order.

Shock absorbers can be fixed in the machine in two ways: vertically or at a certain angle. One end of this part is fixed to the body of the machine, the other end is connected to the tank. If the shock absorber is fixed with a rod, in order to replace it, you will have to disassemble most of the washing machine and even remove the tank from it.

About how to replace the shock absorbers in the washing machine Electrolux, see the video Oleg Belokurov.

Bosch shock absorbers are generally of higher quality than, for example. LG. How to put a Bosch shock absorber on a LG washing machine is explained in the following video.

In order not to make a mistake in the choice, it is better to buy replacement shock absorbers in service centers. As a rule, such companies not only repair appliances, but also offer quality (original) spare parts. Prices for components are very affordable, and the range is very wide. Another advantage of such purchases - it is possible to consult with a qualified specialist who will give sensible advice and help you choose exactly the part you need.