Should I repair or replace Speed Queen?
Hello there, I've had my Speed Queen for around 27 years, and she's only now started to give me problems. I've got the local repairman to give me a quote and he told me the following parts need to be replaced:
Seal and hub kit; Top bearing; Bottom bearing; Belt; 2-double-hole brakes
Given the washing machine's age, is it better to replace rather than repair? Also, the cost of the repair will come out to the same as cheaper top loader model.
Many thanks for this wonderful forum!
Solution Summary
AI-generated from this discussion
This thread was marked as solved. Here's a summary of the problem and the fix, generated from the discussion below.
27-year-old Speed Queen: replacement advised over major repair
- The problem
- A 27-year-old Speed Queen washing machine had developed faults serious enough for a local repairer to quote for multiple replacement parts. The quoted repair cost was said to be about the same as buying a cheaper new top-loading machine.
- Likely cause
- Wear consistent with the age of the machine was indicated by the repairer's quote for a seal and hub kit, top bearing, bottom bearing, belt and two double-hole brakes. The discussion did not document any further fault diagnosis.
- What fixed it
- The accepted advice was to replace the machine rather than invest heavily in repairing a 27-year-old washer. The reasoning given was that, although a repaired machine might continue for a time, a major repair at this age was likely to be a short-term investment and parts availability may become an issue.
- Checks to try
- Local repairer quoted replacement of seal and hub kit
- Local repairer quoted replacement of top bearing
- Local repairer quoted replacement of bottom bearing
- Local repairer quoted replacement of belt
- Local repairer quoted replacement of 2 double-hole brakes
- Repair cost was said to be similar to a cheaper new top loader
- Parts or tools mentioned
- Seal and hub kit
- Top bearing
- Bottom bearing
- Belt
- 2 double-hole brakes
2 Answers
I would say 27 years is awesome. But spending a lot on repairs is potentially a short term investment. They can’t last forever. Theoretically a well built appliance could, but the world isn’t geared up for that to happen. Parts become obsolete, manufacturers don’t want us to keep the same appliances indefinitely and need to sell us new ones.
Sadly a new one will be in no way as good, but it’s likely to last longer than how long a repaired 27 year old appliance would last.
Need Professional Help or Spare Parts?
Thanks Andy, I'll be sad to let go of my trusty workhorse but your advice makes good sense.
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