Exploding Samsung Washers!? What you need to know.
First Samsung phones catching fire and now EXPLODING SAMSUNG WASHERS!? It’s been a rough year for Samsung! November 4th 2016 Samsung issued a voluntary recall of some Samsung top loading washers manufactured between March 2011 and November 2016 for a problem with the washer’s suspension springs that can lead to major vibration during spin causing the washer to literally shake apart.
Here is Samsung’s November 4th statement:
“The voluntary action was driven by reports highlighting the risk that the drums in these washers may lose balance, triggering excessive vibrations, resulting in the top separating from the washer. This can occur when a high-speed spin cycle is used for bedding, water-resistant or bulky items and presents an injury risk to consumers.”
VIDEO
(Samsung Voluntary Recall of Certain Top-Load Washers)
Check to see if your Samsung washer Model and Serial number are affected.
The word “Exploding” is perhaps a little extreme in this case… When I think of exploding Samsung washers I generally picture a washing machine soaring high above a home engulfed in flames, perhaps the washer lid landing across the street. The word explode is designed as follows: “Burst or shatter violently and noisily as a result of rapid combustion, decomposition, excessive internal pressure, or other process, typically scattering fragments widely.”
An out of balance Samsung washer spinning at 1100 RPM could definitely “Scatter fragments widely”, so perhaps the word explode is appropriate!
Samsung Exploding Washer Recall Situation Report
Samsung front loading washers are not affected by this problem and hopefully will not Explode!
Samsung has recalled roughly 2.8 million washers sold from major appliance stores between 2001 and 2016
Samsung is offering a free repair to replace the cheap plastic lid attachment clips on the back of the washer with two metal plates.
(This washer repair does not appear to include a new washer tub suspension kit, which is actually what is needed to stop balance problems...)
OR
Samsung will give you 150.00 toward the purchase of a new washer... Wow that's real generous Samsung! LOL
Washers that have been purchased within the last 30 days may be returned for a full refund.
Affected Samsung washer owners are advised to only use the "delicate" or "waterproof" wash cycles.
What is actually going on with the Samsung washer, and what to do next if you have one off these washers.
Samsung washers use four spring suspension rods that attach the bottom of the washer's tub to the top of the washer's cabinet. This is a very common method of balancing a washer during high speed spin and is used on many GE, Whirlpool, Maytag, and Fisher Paykel washers. The problem... Samsung tried to shave off a few to many pennies in spring production leading to common balance problems. I personally have replaced many Samsung washer tub springs causing off balance wash loads and "UE" or "dc" (out of balance load) error codes. The good news is the replacement springs have been improved and offer much better support compared to the original suspension rods used in washer production.
A tidbit of advice if you do decide to have your exploding Samsung washer repaired I would definitely suggest asking to have the tub shocks replaced at the same time. Feel free to post your story, pictures, videos, etc.
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