Hotpoint first edition WMA9

[benchmark51]

I'm a bloke so don't do washing very often, so machine is fairly low mileage. Has been working ok but have noticed that it makes a fairly loud bang now and then. Now it goes through the wash cycle up to a point makes the bang noise and seems to abort the program. The water empties out and the end program light lights up, door light on but does go out and door unlocks ok. It seems the drum is jumping around a bit too much. I'm a car mechanic so had to have a look! The drum is hanging by 2 springs and on the lower side what appears to be 2 cheap looking shock absorbers. I took them off and they seem to be very weak. pulling them apart showed some red coloured pads inside that are falling apart. Could this be the problem? Can I get new ones? Where from and how much? Thank peeples

 

[rocks1]

You don't test them by taking apart, do they bounce up and down or are they firm you do this by pressing down on the top weight. Bit like testing car suspension. If it bounces it needs replacing

 

[benchmark51]

Thanks for your reply. Yes I tried pushing on the top weight and there was no resistance at all, apart from the spring resistance. I'm pretty sure they are shot. Just wondered if that would cause the sudden end to the running program and if it would be worth replacing them.

 

[rocks1]

So try were stiff then. That means it's ok. When it kicks on a spin it's a out of balance load and it's sorting the load out.

 

[benchmark51]

Thats what I thought but I still think the shocks or dampers are faulty. I have noticed dings on the side of the machine where the drum has hit. Is there some sort of knock sensor that tells it to shut down?

 

[rocks1]

That's out of balance dings on the side that means overloaded. hence why the motor jolts to sort the load out.