Maytag MHWE400WJ01 washer mystery part

[EVG]

So my friend tells me her washer is making loud noises when spinning. I figure its shocks are going or gone. Go have a look and no, all 4 are functional and fine. She turns it on and cycles it with a small load inside. As soon as it hits a spin cycle it sounds like a runaway train. Noise is coming from the drum area - definitely not the shocks. As I’m looking it over she says that she found something in a load of laundry recently. Brings out this odd looking gasket. Never seen one like it. Thing is about 5ft long, has triangular attachment tabs at regular intervals, and is clearly split in one spot and must have come loose at some point and got pulled into the drum. But where did it come from? Better yet, why is there no replacement part that looks anything like it? I’ve been up and down every part shop on the internet, US and Canada, no match. Anyone ever seen one of these (see photos)? If so, any idea what the part number might be?

[EVG]

I assume this thing is a gasket of some kind, but it doesn’t look like any i’ve ever seen. Also, the washer doesn’t leak when operating - not a drop front or back. It’s also well balanced and on a solid floor. I’m stumped. 

[16345Ed]

Washer needs replaced spider arm and or bearings shot. Not worth fixing. 

That gasket is a piece of the door boot(gasket) that ripped off due to violent spinning. 

[EVG]

I was afraid of that. When you say not worth fixing, I’m guessing you mean price point wise. Any idea if that particular part/work would be covered under the 10 year extended warranty?

[Dunamis]

May be wrong but that part looks a lot like the gasket on some Maytag/ whirlpool dryer doors. See if there are slots on the inside of dryer door where something should be.

[EVG]

Egad! You’re right, it’s a dryer door seal. Easy enough to fix. 

[EVG]

But, if that part isn’t the culprit for the washer noise, and it isn’t the shocks, do you concur with the other assessment that this is a spider wheel and bearing issue?

[Dunamis]

Most likely spider / bearing related. The tell tale sign "sounds like a runaway train"- or jet about to take off.