How to mount tension-ring (AEG 74600)?

This thread was marked as solved. Here's a summary of the problem and the fix, generated from the discussion below.

AEG 74600 door seal tension ring refitting query

The problem

The owner was unsure how to refit the tension ring around the rubber door seal on an AEG 74600 washing machine, and whether the spring section should sit at the bottom under the rubber flap. Without the ring fitted, the machine still ran, but the seal could be pulled out during emptying and then needed refitting.

Likely cause

The retaining/tension ring had come off or was not being refitted securely on the door seal groove. The discussion supports this as a fitting issue rather than a confirmed component failure.

What fixed it

The accepted advice was that the ring position shown looked acceptable and that its job is to retain the door seal on the door rim. A further fitting method was suggested: place the ring onto the seal groove starting at about 12 o’clock with the spring at 6 o’clock, feed it around the seal, then use a small flat-blade screwdriver carefully on the final section to stretch and guide the ring into place. The exact repair was not confirmed by the owner afterwards.

Checks to try

• Confirmed the machine worked even without the ring fitted
• Observed that the door seal could get pulled out when emptying if the ring was not fitted
• Discussion of spring orientation, with spring suggested at 6 o’clock

Parts or tools mentioned

• Door seal tension/retaining ring
• Small flat-blade screwdriver