I guess I need a new clothes washer...

[Catzilla]

I noticed the clothes are coming soaked, it's not doing the last spin at least. If I start it by hand it will spin. I don't smell or hear the belt slipping and it's pumping, so I think it's the belt, bearing, or a weak motor. I thought it was newer but it turns out it is 9 years old.
Any thoughts. I'm thinking front load LG, maybe floor model at BB.

[GGD]

What type of washer is the current one? Front loading washers will not do the final high speed spin if there is a problem with the door locking mechanism (safety issue), I've had to replace the lock mechanism on mine once, nothing was mechanically wrong with the actual spin hardware.

[anonymouse1]

IIRC, the top tier is Samsung, LG, and Kenmore. We bought an LG, primarily based on price.

[Catzilla]

Top load Maytag SAV405DEWW.

[SteveO]

FWIW, we have an LG front loader bought at Lowe's with a 5-yr extended wty. Needed a little door adjustment for a tiny trickle of water first year, since then it's been mechanically fine. BUT after 10 years of front loaders, I think my next washer, given a preference, would be a top loader. I don't think the front loaders get the clothes as clean as a top loader. Sometimes my clothes come out with dry spots on them, like they never even got wet. I don't overstuff the machine, though we did get a large-capacity model; if I put a lot of clothes in it, it's worse. Comforter? Forget it, just go to the laundromat, not even worth running through unless you do it a couple times. So it's supposed to save money by using less water, etc....but it doesn't seem to be turning out that way. I just think that top loaders do the job better.

[davester]

I'm wondering why you're not looking at repairing it. The problem sounds like it may be a very simple and inexpensive fix. The only good reason I can think of for replacing it would be if it is an inefficient model (i.e. an old-fashioned top loader) that costs you a bundle in water heating costs.

[macphanatic]

SteveO wrote:
FWIW, we have an LG front loader bought at Lowe's with a 5-yr extended wty. Needed a little door adjustment for a tiny trickle of water first year, since then it's been mechanically fine. BUT after 10 years of front loaders, I think my next washer, given a preference, would be a top loader. I don't think the front loaders get the clothes as clean as a top loader. Sometimes my clothes come out with dry spots on them, like they never even got wet. I don't overstuff the machine, though we did get a large-capacity model; if I put a lot of clothes in it, it's worse. Comforter? Forget it, just go to the laundromat, not even worth running through unless you do it a couple times. So it's supposed to save money by using less water, etc....but it doesn't seem to be turning out that way. I just think that top loaders do the job better.

Don't have these issues with our Samsung front loader. In fact, when we first got it, it got out stains that our top loader couldn't.

[Ombligo]

Now laundry thread is complete without saying "Fisher-Paykel."

I love ours… it's 10-12 years old and doing great.

[testcase]

A top loader probably has a safety interlock switch that will prevent a high speed spin if the lid is open (or if the switch thinks the lid is open.

[deckeda]

There are forums where you can pose (and post) the symptom and get it diagnosed--no repair guy visit necessary. I've always liked Jake's Appliance Blog. Register and supply both the model and serial in your question.

FWIW our old Kenmore HE3 (Whirlpool front-load clone) is about that old and works great.