GE GTW330ASK2WW Top load washer very easily out off balance and clunks / slams tub against sides

[markcm]

Hi, 

We have a GE GTW330ASK2WW top load washer which very easily gets out of balance, regardless of load size, and the tub clunks against the outer walls.

I took a close look at the washer and it appears the tub simply hangs from two rods with a little spring at the lower tub attachment points. I do not see any form of dampers and cannot understand what is supposed to prevent this washer from banging the tub against the side walls. I have also checked the parts diagram to make sure our machine isn't missing some form of damper but did not see anything.

Does anyone have any tips or tricks to reduce or eliminate the tub movement and clunking against the sides?

I saw there was a technician's only posting "GE Top Load Washer Excessive Vibration Service Bulletin 1.0.0" although I cannot view that as a DIY member and I wouldn't call this a vibration, it is an out of balance clunk/slamming. https://appliantology.org/files/file/4717-ge-top-load-washer-excessive-vibration-service-bulletin/

[MrApplianceMatt]

Those rods are the suspension rods and there are 4 of them. They serve as suspension and dampers. On a GE there are typically 2 for the left that are one part number and 2 on the right of a different part number. These are your most likely suspect. I've also seen the bottom of the tub rot out completely under the agitator. Is there any play between the tub and the basket?

[markcm]

Thanks for the insight.

I will check for play between the tub and basket for my next step. From what I recall, the issue is the whole tub/basket assembly flopping around and smacking the inner walls of the maching.

Last I checked, the rods all appeared to be "ok". I think there was essentially a spring at the bottom of each rod where it attaches to the bottom of the tub; no dampening, just the springs. The whole tub assembly was surprisingly loose with respect to what I am used to, there is no weight ballast, it is really light and easily swings around with a relatively small gap between the tub and the walls of the machine. It looks like there is/was some small stick-on pads on the inside walls of the machine where the tub will contact it. 

I would describe this machine as hyper-sensitive to balance. For example, placing a single towel in it can cause the tub to smack the walls if the towel is not perfectly/evenly distributed in the machine. We are careful to not overload it and it frequently gets out of balance with moderate loads and thumps around.  just cannot get my head around this machine and how it could balance by simply hanging the light-weight tub assembly for four rods with springs at their attachment points and no dampeners.  

I looked at the parts diagram for this machine as well, I do not see where any dampening component might be? Am I missing something with respect to these rods? Is there supposed to be a dampener built into them, or is it really only the spring?

 

Again, thanks for your input!

[johnsavit]

Resolution?

[dwschnelli]

Consider Klueber Very High Viscosity damping grease (paste) K16101701 under the loading balls at the inside top of the cabinet.