20 year old washing machine making really loud ball bearing sounds on spin, and some days decides not to agitate at all!! Worth fixing or time to get a new one

hi Rick.
Reasons a washer will make noise during spin mode:
1. Main tub bearing faulty
2. Main drive pulley
3. Motor coupling worn
4. Bad clutch
5. Worn out drive belt
6. Clogged or damaged drain pump
7. Transmission is worn out
8. Shock absorber (front loader washers)
9. Springs or dampening straps (top load washers)
10. Agitator directional cogs aka "agitator dogs" (top load washers
When the washer spins, it rides on a bearing that allows the tub to move freely with zero resistance. If this bearing is worn out, a loud noise will be heard when the washer spins. A good way to tell if your washer problem is the main tub bearing will be that the washer noise will get worse or louder as time goes on. This means the bearing is becoming more worn out and close to complete failure. The bearing in your washing machine is a circular metal object that has many small little metal balls inside. These small metal balls inside the bearing sit in a track and move when the washer is spinning. If the tub bearing begins to wear out, usually the small metal balls inside can fall out one by one causing the noise you hear. (If your washing machine is a front load washer, open the door and turn the drum by hand. If you hear a rubbing sound or the drum spins uneven, then the main tub bearing is most likely bad and needs replaced.)
Washing machine tub bearing

Washer has noise during spin cycle
The bearing may also be without lubrication. If the sound you hear is more of a squeaking noise than a grinding noise, it may mean the bearing needs to be lubricated with a mechanical grease. If the sound is more of a grinding noise, then this usually means the bearing is falling apart and will need to be replaced ASAP. If you suspect your washers main tub bearing is worn out, the repair process is one of the most difficult to perform yourself. A worn bearing can also damage the tub of the washer. This means the tub (inner or outer) may need to be replaced also.
A washer making a loud noise during spin cycle can also be caused by a faulty drive pulley. The pulley is what the belt (if applicable to your washer) rides on to spin your washers tub. The pulley can be made of plastic or metal. It could be simply worn out or just loose. To find out if the drive pulley is causing the noise, you will need to take the washer apart and inspect the pulley for signs of damage.
WASHER MOTOR PULLEY
The motor coupling could also be the cause of the loud noise. The motor coupling in your washer connects the washers transmission to the motor. It is made of plastic and built to break if the washer gets overloaded. This is so the motor and the transmission do not become damaged. The motor coupling is an easier repair and can be done by most people.




Washer Washing Machine Motor Drive Coupling Coupler
The clutch in a washing machine connects the inner wash tub to the transmission. The clutch lets the washer get to the proper spin RPM in a gradual way. If the clutch is worn it can make noise when the washer is spinning. A bad clutch needs to be removed and replaced to stop the noise.
Washing Machine Clutch
The belt in your washer can become worn and cause noise while spinning. If worn out, replace the belt. Replacing the drive belt on a washing machine is an easy task and can be ordered online for less.
Washing machine belt
The drain pump in your washer that drains the water out could be clogged or damaged. While in spin mode, your washer may drain out the water by using the drain pump. If the loud noise only happens at certain intervals during the spin cycle, it may be the drain pump. Usually this can be fixed by simply removing the drain pump and removing any debris that may be clogging it up causing the noise.
Drain Pump for Washing Machine




The next part of your washer that can be causing a loud noise is the transmission. If the transmission is bad, usually the cost to fix this outweighs the cost of a new washer.
If you have a front loading washing machine, they all have shock absorbers. The shock absorbers are used to center the tub movement while in the spin cycle. These shock absorbers are connected from the washer frame to the outer tub. If the shock absorbers in your front loader become weak the washer will make a loud banging sound during the spinning cycle.
Shock Absorber for washing machine
Top load washers usually have springs or dampening straps holding the tub centered. If a spring or strap falls off or becomes weak, a loud noise will be heard in spin mode. Simply replace the strap, spring, or springs to remedy this issue.
Washing machine suspension springs
Agitator directional cogs are used to operate the upper part of dual action agitators (Top load washers). They engage the cogs on the inner area of the agitator as it turns in one direction. They release when the agitator reverses its direction. This lets the top part of the agitator to ratchet in only one direction. The bottom part will agitate in both directions. The cogs are made of plastic and wear out with regular use. They will start slipping and make a grinding noise. Another way to be sure that this part is bad is if you notice the top portion of the agitator does not move in a smooth motion. Removing the top half of the agitator to see if the cogs are worn out.

The symptoms that you describe are caused by bearing failure. The water seal in the wash tub has failed, allowing water to leak into the bearing causing the bearings to rust. As the bearings start to rust, they will not roll properly and start to make a rumbling sound. The sound get louder the faster the bearing turns.
It a major job to repair since the washer has to be taken apart and the wash drum needs to be removed to replace the seal and bearings. Get a few estimates before deciding whether the washer is worth the cost to repair or replace. Sorry.

Hello,
It sounds like the bearings are starting to go.The problem is as it is 6 years old the repair job could be expensive,unless you have an extended warranty.It still might be worth getting a quote off one of your local repair dealerships.
Hope this helps.

Check the motor capacitors. Wash cycle and run cycle capacitors are different in some m/cs.If these are OK motor winding to be checked.

Now it is ten years old and you are likely to get ball bearing problem. Get an repair estimate and decide which suits your budget.

Sounds like the tub bearing is gone. Get it checked out though. It could be the pump bearing, a cheaper fix. Or as bad as the tub bearing, a motor bearing.

Very likely the main bearing and drum shaft-inner tub will need replace. Not worth repairing, easily can cost more than the washer. Buy a new whirlpool front load duet, super capacity or the top load whirlpool with and agitator. Good Luck, Appliance Specialists

If this is the old style that uses a belt, it is not worth fixing. But the problem sounds like the wig-wam is not functioning properly. Most of the time it was a wire broken since it moves back and forth constantly.

It sounds like the belts need replaced. There are 2 of them. One drives the transmission, and one drives the belt. They should both be replaced. Also, there are rollers on the motor bracket that wear. Make sure the motor moves smoothly back and forth in the bracket.

sounds like you have a tub seal problem, which took out the bearings, I take it one buzy mom does lots of laundry! Maybe time for a new washer.

HI thanks for the question. Frigidaire has a life time warranty. on that part .call them. thanks the appliance doc. please rate my answer. thanks.