Whirlpool Duet Washer disintegrates - 4 years old

A video of my 4 year old whirlpool duet that I disassembled to see first hand why it was clanking and shaking violently. The spider clamp completely disintegrated after only 4 years. For a major appliance, a 4 year lifespan is absolutely ridiculous. The failure of the spider clamp within such a short timeframe must have been a deliberate design decision. It's called Galvanic Corrosion, any engineer would be aware that aluminum will corrode when attached to stainless steel in the presence of water.

Category:

Education

Tags:

• Whirlpool
• duet
• washer
• spider
• clamp
• stainless
• steel
• failure
• corrosion

[bettermost]

Funny I have my Kenmore HE3 washer (more or less the same as this Duet) over 8 years now and I have never had one single issue with my washer. No F-11 codes no problems at all. What do people do to these washers? Looks like abuse and the use of non he soaps to me.

[Malby2]

@bettermost Nope, we always used HE detergent. Regular washing of clothes for a 4 person family is not abuse.

[amortelliti]

pittysnstreetkittys- I actually spoke to two individuals. The first told me that the stainless steal drum was covered but the tub was not covered and he arranged for the drum to be sent out. I didn't like that answer as I was sure the tub was covered for 10 years so I called back the next day and spoke to a women. She agreed it was covered and sent the tub. It helped that I had the washer registered. Call customer service @866-698-2538. Be persistant. Good luck!

[Malby2]

@amortelliti - Thanks but....too late.....but I must say, the stainless steel drum makes an awesome $1200 firepit at the camp and a great conversation piece.

[Malby2]

In my case both the warranty statement in the user manual and the local authorized service center indicated that it was past the warranty period. Perhaps they've changed their warranty due to all the complaints.

[Malby2]

We used nothing but HE detergent.

[cubanuka65]

Please can you tell me where I can buy the spider clamp for a frigidaire model GLTF1670AS0. Most suppliers do not sale the spider separate. Thanks for your help

[tbunder]

@bettermost you do know that all the parts you poopooed on your garage floor are 100% completely covered under warranty and you could have called whirlpool like I did today and they would fedex you a new SS wash drum, the plastic outer tub with new bearings pressed in all for free. using non HE detergent or too much HE detergent will make that aluminum spider support weaken. also, keep the drain pump trap cleaned out.

[Erichhh]

My spider looks pretty corroded, but hasn't cracked yet. It is 11 years old. I think the reason it lasted this long is that we are on well water, which means no chlorine or fluoride in the water. This has to be a galvanic reaction that is accelerated by the chlorine content. Whirlpool really should have its ass handed to it via a class action lawsuit for making a design like this.

[CynicalKnight]

The spider clamp can be ordered online for $50~$90 depending on the model. I suggest replacing the drive shaft gasket at the same time for $10 as it's a such a bugger to get at.

[fernfeyes]

Sir..what you have there are the remains of the ROSAT satellite.

[atomelectron]

Same issue here. My machine was an 18 month old it Sears HE3. I told Sears I was going to launch a social media assault on them and they came out and fixed my machine at no cost to me. It took me many months & many calls to resolve this. I suggest you call your local television station consumer reports reporter and tell them your story and send them a link to this video. This problem is not isolated to a particular machine and its not a bearing problem. The problem is Galvanic Corrosion.

[thepigglettboys]

whirlpool is not a good make anymore never really has been in the uk