I have a 12 year old Whirlpool washer (MN - LSQ8520JQ1) that has developed a new noise. It is a whirring or grrring noise that happens only during a spin cycle. Its not that loud and you almost cant hear it when the tub is at full speed. It starts immediately when the spin cycle starts, even before the tub is spinning and lasts all through the cycle. I have taken the agitator off and nothing was stuck under it. I have taken the front/side cover off and didn't notice anything unusual (no grease/oil spots). I used a stethoscope listening probe and touched all the stationary parts like the motor and pump and gearbox housings underneath while it is in the spin cycle. Could not detect where the noise was coming from. With my head down there it seems to be coming from the brake assembly area since that starts to spin very quickly when entering the spin cycle. Any thoughts what to look for or do? Thanks for your help.
Whirlpool washer whirring noise
Jun 04, 2013
2 Replies
Sounds like the motor coupler is starting to go. It's a plastic part (although very durable) and it's under considerable stress in spin cycle, so over time it wears out and the three parts of the coupling start to rattle against each other. It's the assembly #13 (three separate parts) on the parts diagram below . It's not a very expensive part, Sears sells it for about $20 (
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) but it's a PITA to get to, so I would buy it, since the model is becoming a bit old and at some point parts may become scarce, but would not install it until the noise becomes a real nuisance.
Also, here is a nice coupling replacement video from AppliancePartsPros.com - use it as a reference:
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