GE washing machine gtwn4250d1ws - what is this part called, and can I buy a replacement?

[DrDu8888]

Hi everyone! 

My GE washing machine model GTWN4250D1WS has a broken piece that should be easy to replace, but I cannot find out what the part is called or where to find a replacement. I'm hoping someone here can help. The piece is a metal guard or retainer fastened to the base that should prevent the tub from swinging too far as it agitates. When I look at schematics online it looks like it is just included in the part number for the base of the unit. Obviously, I don't need to replace the whole base to just replace this piece. Does anyone know what this is actually called so I can try to find a replacement for just this part? Attached is a picture of the broken bit, plus the same part on the opposite side that is still intact:

Thanks in advance!

[MrApplianceMatt]

I'd either drill a new hole and use a nut and bolt or use a couple of short self tappers to anchor that. More importantly, why/how did it break?

[Budget Appliance Repair]

@DrDu8888 Not a part you need to worry about - that is for when they come from the factory there is a rod that goes thru the side wall and slides thru the holes in the brackets on the base and goes thru the holes on the brackets that are on the bottom of the wash tub assembly.

It is the shipping rod that keeps the wash assembly engaged solidly to the base so the wash assembly doesn't swing around in shipping and destroy itself.

If for some odd reason you wanted to replace it the only way to do that would be to purchase a complete new base pan or as @MrApplianceMatt said to reattach it with a screw or rivet - that would really be a waste of time and effort as it's not a functional part after the shipping rod has been removed.

Edited August 12, 2022 by Budget Appliance Repair

[DrDu8888]

Ok that makes sense. Thanks! @MrApplianceMatt presumably it broke from the bottom of the tub clanging against it for like 10 years! It's always made that clanging sound, and people mentioned it in the reviews when I bought it so I figured it was normal. @Budget Appliance Repair It sounds like I could just remove these and it wouldn't cause any harm then, right? If so, I wish I would have done it long ago. 

Thanks again! Now, on to the oven that won't heat...

[Budget Appliance Repair]

23 hours ago, DrDu8888 said:

It sounds like I could just remove these and it wouldn't cause any harm then, right?

No harm in removing them.   The loops on the wash assembly shouldn't be hitting the base brackets but sometimes the base can get bent upwards a little from the dolly when moving them.