GE Washer Top Load GTWN5650F1WS Squeaking

[Soso]

I have a GE Washer Top Load GTWN5650F1WS Squeaking when it spins. It gets louder and louder as it spins faster. It almost sounds like metal rubbing on metal. But I cannot see any place it is rubbing. The sound is coming from down by the motor or the big pulley area. I took the belt off and put it into a spin cycle and it sounds fine. I grabbed the big pulley and there is no side to side play but some up and down play. It seems to turn free by hand but I could not turn it by hand fast enough to see if that is where the noise is coming from.

 Anyway I think it is coming from the motor or the center bearing above the big belt pulley on the bottom of the Washer but can't tell for sure. I was wondering if anyone else has come across the same problem and could tell me what you think. 

Thank you.

[rasputista]

Check the big pulley below tub for scraping on base plate. You normally find handfuls of aluminium shavings from pulley. Pulley lower edge will be chewed up , need new belt and pulley.

 Beat bottom plate down  as they get bent on shipping /installation, some customers overload them so pulley hits base or travel bolt plates. this seems very common.

 

[16345Ed]

Or it could be coming from the suspension rods where they attach at top.