Hotpoint Bouncing Around
Hi, the drum has started to bounce around a fair amount, and the front/rear springs on the top of the drum are still very tight. I've noticed that the drum is bouncing on the left side when you are facing the machine, and the suspension seems quite weak on that side. I'm not sure if they can be repaired? if they are hydraulic or spring.
Replacements for the lower half of the units are only £15 each, so I assume replacing them is best.
My questions are....
Do I only need to replace the lower half of each unit? they are the housings and not the rods.
I can undo the nut on the bottom of the machine, but have no hope getting to the nuts on the top rods, where they
connect to the drum. The only access would be to remove the total drum. What do I do? Do I undo the lower nuts, turn the machine back onto its base and then try to lift the drum high enough to pull the suspension bolt free from the base of the machine? then turn the machine back on its side and try to pull the lower suspension unit off the rod?
The thing is like a chinese puzzle.
I love the machine and want to keep it running. In the last year I've fitted new drum bearings, new pressure switch, new door switch, new motor and new door seal. Runs like a dream and washes great apart from the rocking.
Many thanks
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.
Hotpoint washing machine bouncing on spin; suspension suspected but not confirmed
- The problem
- The Hotpoint washing machine drum had started bouncing significantly, mainly on the left side when facing the machine. The top front and rear springs were reported as still tight, but the suspension seemed weaker on one side.
- Likely cause
- Worn suspension legs/dampers are a possible cause, especially as one side can take more stress if the machine always spins in the same direction. However, this was not confirmed. Other possible causes mentioned were unbalanced loads, a faulty out-of-balance system, the motor running too fast, or intermittent motor surging.
- What fixed it
- The accepted advice was that the suspension is only a possible suspect and should not be assumed to be the fault. If the upper rod is sound it may be left in place, and access to the tub brackets may be possible by removing the front panel rather than removing the whole drum. No confirmed repair was documented.
- Checks to try
- Top front and rear springs were checked and found to be tight
- Observed that the drum bounced more on the left side
- Suspension on the left side was thought to feel weaker
Safety: Further diagnosis should be carried out by a suitably qualified appliance engineer.
1 Answer
The suspension can be stronger on one side because the washer always spins in the same direction and the suspension on one side gets the most stress. If this is so then the suspension legs will be referred to as left and right side. If they aren't then presumably they are the same.
If a washing machine is bouncing around on spin the suspension is a possible suspect but not necessarily the problem. Bad loads (How do I avoid out of balanced loads in my washing machine?, faulty out of balance system, the motor running too fast or even intermittent surging of the motor are other possibilities. It's a while since I replaced suspension and there are lots of different types even amongst the same brand. If the upper rod is ok I used to leave it. You should be able to get access to the tub brackets with the front panel off if it comes off.
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