GE front-load washer WSXH208A: One loud thud at the beginning of spin cycle

[Chrismartin76]

I have a front-loading washer. It's a GE WSXH208A and was purchased 12 years ago. I do about one load every five days. About two months ago, it started making one (and only one) loud thud just as the spin cycle is starting. I checked to see if the struts were OK, and they were still intact. I was wondering (a) if this is a serious problem, because I don't mind the noise otherwise, and (b) how I might repair it myself. The top of the washer is already off so it's easy to reach into the washer, so I can post photographs of any component if that helps. Thanks!

[Samurai Appliance Repair Man]

What are the results of the Secret Samurai Drum Bearing and Support Test™?

 

 

[Chrismartin76]

I just tried that. I don't get a rattling sound. There's a very, very faint tapping sound. 

[Samurai Appliance Repair Man]

Make a video of the washer making the thumping noise you're describing. Post it to youtube and then paste the link here so we can watch it. 

[Chrismartin76]

I wasn't able to reproduce the noise today. Here's some videos of how the washer sounds during various stages of the spin cycle:

 

 

 

 

 

[Chrismartin76]

So it made the noise again last night. I checked the rear drum pulley and it wobbles back and forth along with the drum. It doesn't wobble separately from the drum, however. It occasionally makes a tapping sound. Here's a video of me wobbling it. At 0:13 you can hear the tapping sound

 

After wshing a large load, I washed a small load on the delicates cycle and there was no noise

 

 

[Chrismartin76]

I took off the back panel today and checked if the spider rattled against the inner drum. It did. Here's the video:

 

Could you let me know what you think I should do? Thanks.

[16345Ed]

Did you try tightening it?  Replace the pulley.