11020242511 Kenmore Washer - Instructions

Replaced the 4 suspension rods/springs. Only disconnect and replace one at a time. The tub will fall out if you disconnect and replace more than one rod/spring at a time.

This was a learning experience but it appears to have worked out in the end. Our 3 1/2 year old washer was not agitating much and I attributed that to a loose bolt. I would tighten the bolt and it would work ok for a load or two and then stop agitating. I would find that the bolt was loose again. I took a number of steps to try to get the bolt to stay on tight - threadlock, a new bolt, more threadlock, and applying progressively more force on the bolt, with no better results. Yet the repair guys on you tube were saying the bolt only needs to be snug, not super tight - something was amiss. I even went so far as to secure the basket with a rope so I could use two hands on the socket wrench (please don't do this). But when I tried the washer again there was no agitation at all! I observed the agitation output in manual test mode and the bolt was turning in lock step with the shaft but the agitator wasn't turning at all. That's when I suspected that the problem was actually a worn lower agitator. Trouble was that now I couldn't seem to get the bolt off. Turning the wrench caused the shaft itself to rotate so I couldn't loosen the bolt from the shaft. I thought I broke the washer. Then I considered that maybe the shaft was rotating because the washer was in an agitation mode when I turned it off. I went back into manual test mode, made the washer spin, then turned it off. Fortunately, this worked. The shaft was again stationary and, albeit with great difficulty, I got the bolt off.

I removed the agitator, and as a pro would have figured out long before, the ridges inside the top of the lower agitator were almost completely worn down. I realized then that the contact between these ridges and the splines on the shaft is what is supposed to cause the lower agitator to move with the shaft. The purpose of the bolt is just to keep the agitator in the correct position and from coming off the shaft. I had been trying to compensate for the worn agitator ridges by over-tightening the bolt, creating some contact at the top of the shaft. This would work for a little while, then the agitator would start slipping, and the slipping agitator was acting just like a wrench loosening the bolt (until my stupid rope trick, that is.)

So I ordered a new agitator (only the lower agitator was bad, but the price of an entire agitator isn't a lot more than just the lower part and I was reading that the upper agitator parts will wear over time) and another new bolt (because my repeated attempts to over-tighten the first one I ordered had split the rubber gasket apart and worn the bolt head).

The new agitator fit snugly on the splines of the shaft so I sensed no need to use excessive force on the bolt. Just an easy one-handed snug tightening with the socket wrench, using the other hand to hold the lower agitator. The washer is now working again.

Followed youtube video. The repair was easy and fast.

I was able to look up the issue on Youtube and watched a few videos and was able to complete the repair with help of my daughter. It was little hard to do but you do need gloves with a good grip when taking the rods out of the washer, but putting the new ones in was very easy.

Once I replaced the suspension rods, there was a little shaking but not like before. Very quiet now, no crazy loud banging

Unplugged from power, unhooked water lines.Then removed back cover and control panel and top set to the side. Rear rods very easy to do by yourself after those where done have help and tip it backwards and change out the front 2 then reassembled and hooked back up and tested. Everything worked like brand new !!!

The installation was very easy and took me 45 minutes to complete by myself. I put the washer on two cinder blocks and then removed the lid. I started with the suspension rods that were closest to me and they were really easy to exchange. When I got to the rods in the back they were a little more difficult because there was more tension with the new rods installed. I used the old rods to hook and pull the new rods into place and it was overall very easy.

Youtube has videos. It's very simple just replace one at a time.

Watched video from partselect and it was on the money. Removed a few screws and tilted the lid. (after unplugging). Pulled it out from wall and tilted machine to have access to bottom. Had grandson reach from underneath and pull the rods out and inserted the new ones. Work great now. My wife is happy and I saved about $600 because I didn't have to buy a new one.

I watched the PartsSelect video. I was hoping for the tub with the slots in the tub mounts, but mine didn't have them, so I had to lay it down on its back. The only thing I did that was not in the video was I placed a 2" thick closed cell foam knee pad I had on hand between the tub and the back of the housing. When I laid it down, the tub was elevated by 2". This made reaching the two rear rods a little easy. It seems that there would be a more robust way to achieve the dampening affect, but I guess this is cost effective.

It's strange that I searched for my issue several times and only saw recommendations to level the washer. It was level. Then one day I ran across the suspension rod resolution. It didn't do it on every load, but after a year of my wife nagging me and threatening to get a new washer, I finally fixed it. The biggest issue is just logistics in a condo hallway and a little leaking water. I also replaced my hoses. Should be in good shape until the next thing.....

Replaced the suspension rods not an easy task but very rewarding to hear it running quiet again when spinning.

Removed the old and replaced with new

Unplugged, removed cold and hot lines, moved out to garage, unscrewed 3 screws on the back, lifted up the top, removed and replaced 1 suspension rod at a time with washer leaning against wall sideways, easy peasy didn’t take no time at all, moved it back in 3 screws back in place hot and cold screwed back in and walla! It worked and has been working flawlesssly..

very easy to repair , instructions very clear , parts person very good to talk to, parts got here fast

Unscrewed the back plate,, unscrewed the top section from the back ,tipped the machine back after unlocking the front two suspension rods, put the new ones in with the new locks , tipped the machine forward, took the two back, suspension rods out, put them back in with a new locks put everything back together made sure all the legs were level and recalibrated the machine, which is take dial turn counterclockwise a turn stop on this machine at the regular pointer. Go back one go forward three back one you’ll see all the lights blinking turn to the light that has rinse and hit the start button. It will recalibrate and everything is working fine thank you all they were better rods than what I had ordered. One time before online. These appeared to be the original ones. Which are made better so make sure you use them. Thanks you saved me 600 bucks.!