Several answers here are correct (work out nylon gear teeth on rotor which meshes with the spyder assembly.)
But here's a tip to help you get through a few more loads until your new rotor arrives. When I took the bolt off my washer, I noticed that it wasn't on that tight. Either it shook lose (although they had applied blue Loctite) or it hadn't been fully tightened at the factory.
A loose bolt will cause the rotor gear to wear out much faster because of the play between the rotor and spyder.
Anyway, I tightened up the bolt and the washer is now running fine. Of course, it will not hold in the long run, but at least my wife can get a few loads done until the new rotor part arrives!
Try it!
Several answers here are correct (work out nylon gear teeth on rotor which meshes with the spyder assembly.)
But here's a tip to help you get through a few more loads until your new rotor arrives. When I took the bolt off my washer, I noticed that it wasn't on that tight. Either it shook lose (although they had applied blue Loctite) or it hadn't been fully tightened at the factory.
A loose bolt will cause the rotor gear to wear out much faster because of the play between the rotor and spyder.
Anyway, I tightened up the bolt and the washer is now running fine. Of course, it will not hold in the long run, but at least my wife can get a few loads done until the new rotor part arrives!
Try it!
Several answers here are correct (work out nylon gear teeth on rotor which meshes with the spyder assembly.)
But here's a tip to help you get through a few more loads until your new rotor arrives. When I took the bolt off my washer, I noticed that it wasn't on that tight. Either it shook lose (although they had applied blue Loctite) or it hadn't been fully tightened at the factory.
A loose bolt will cause the rotor gear to wear out much faster because of the play between the rotor and spyder.
Anyway, I tightened up the bolt and the washer is now running fine. Of course, it will not hold in the long run, but at least my wife can get a few loads done until the new rotor part arrives!
Try it!
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I need help. Mant that have this have complained that the water level screw is set wrong from the factory. I'm confused at the instructions on how to get to this screw!
http://www.washing-machine-reviewer.com/lg-washer-wm0642hw-finally-after-two-years-i-found-out-how-to-raise-the-water-level.html#comments
I can get the dispenser part loose and get it to drop down like the link says, but can't find this screw! Help
I have an LG WM0642-HW washer that was making a grinding noise too. Called LG and the authorized repair man came and it was the rotor assembly. Cheap plastic center that conjoins to the syper element which is metal. You know that the plastic will continually wear out so this is going to be a repetitive replacement. Good thing is the rotor assembly is covered under warranty for 7 years, so you can have it replaced within the 7 years of initial purchase as many times as its needed. I guess this is why this machine has been discontinued. Oh well. Hope this helps
I too have an Lg WM0642HW washer that had the exact same problem. Heard nasty grinding so called LG, got an authorized service repair man who trouble shooted, then had to come back and diagnosed it as rotor assembly. Plastic center assembly that connects to metal spindle called Sypder. Wore out the plastic grooves. This will be a repeat issue if the washer is filled with slightly heavy to heavy loads. So be aware. Rotor assembly is covered under the 7 yr warranty as part of the drum motor, so good thing is it can be replaced many times from initial purchase date. LG # is 1-800-243-0000. Rotor assembly item # 4413EA1002B.
It blows my mind that you have to spend $70 on the whole rotor assembly when all you need to do is replace the plastic piece on the rotot. I can't find the plastic section anywhere. This is the last LG washer I will ever buy.
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I have the same problem and the service guy was there today - one that LG recommended and he claims it's just a bolt that there are no gears on this washer - just find this hard to believe - I agree it sounds like gears grinding and can't get going like it's stuck... we called back to tell them it's still grinding after they tightened the bolt so they are now going to REPLACE this bolt that supposedly holds so much together... I still don't feel confident about that.
correction to previous comment, You need to remove the rotor, not the drum.
I was able to find the problem with my washer. There is a single drive shaft that is attached to the drum which is called the "spyder". At the end of spyder is the drive shaft where there are gear teeth. These teeth fit into another gear housing that is made of plastic. This plastic piece is part of the rotor. All of these pieces are connected by a single bolt at the rear of the machine. If you remove the back of the machine and take out the center bolt you can remove the rotor. For my machine, once the rotor was removed, it was obvious that the metal gears at the end of the spyder shaft had completely stripped all of the plastic gears in the rotor. The rotor assembly is covered under a seven year warranty. You will find that the rotor should be OK except for the plastic center piece. If you cannot find a replacement for the plastic center piece, the entire rotor can be replaced. It is easy as there is only one bolt to remove. Check the magnets in the rotor to make sure they are not damaged. I would recommend that you call LG and ask for the assembly or parts list diagram which they will send via e-mail for free. This will let you see the parts that need to be replaced. If it is the rotor that is damaged, LG will pay for the part if it is still under warranty but you must pay for the service call. They will not send the part until the service tech diagnoses the problem. You can also go to the sears appliance parts website and enter the model number. They also have the parts diagram online which you can use. They had the rotor part in stock and it cost less than the service call. Your costs may differ from mine. Good Luck
I just started having this problem with my LG WM0642HW today... After seeing sean_topper's post, I've looked around online and confirmed that there are indeed gear teeth located in the plastic center of the rotor assembly. You can clearly see them in the enlarged view of the outside of the rotor assembly on this page:http://bit.ly/bg4fnK The end of the 'spider' fits into the center hole.
Also, here are two images from the service manual. Your bolt would be the center bolt being removed in the first image here:http://bit.ly/bg4fnK
In the second image, you can see the rotor (K360), your bolt (K123) and the spider (K115) and how they all fit together:http://bit.ly/bg4fnK
From what I can see, you have to purchase the whole rotor assembly to get the center piece. Too bad they didn't make this from metal, as my washer is only 1.5 years old and already having issues.
Sorry, the first image should have linked here:http://bit.ly/a5jL6C
The second, here:http://bit.ly/c0pzlS
The exact same thing has happened to my LG WM0642HW which is only 1.5 years old as well. Sounds like a major defect! Service guys are coming in the morning. Will have to see how this plays out. I am not going to buy another LG appliance. That is for sure!!
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I was able to find the problem with my washer. There is a single drive shaft that is attached to the drum which is called the "spyder". At the end of spyder is the drive shaft where there are gear teeth. These teeth fit into another gear housing that is made of plastic. This plastic piece is part of the rotor. All of these pieces are connected by a single bolt at the rear of the machine.
If you remove the back of the machine and take out the center bolt you can remove the drum. For my machine, once the drum was removed, it was obvious that the metal gears at the end of the spyder shaft had completely stripped all of the plastic gears in the rotor. The rotor assembly is covered under a seven year warranty. You will find that the rotor should be OK exept for the plastic center piece. If you cannot find a replacement for the plastic center piece, the entrie rotor can be replaced. It is easy as there is only one bolt to remove. Check the magnets in the rotor to make sure they are not damaged.
I would reccomend that you call LG and ask for the assembly or parts list diagram which they will send via e-mail for free. This will let you see the parts that need to be replaced. If it is the rotor that is damaged, LG will pay for the part but you must pay for the service call. They will not send the part until the service tech diagnoses the problem.
You can also go to the sears appliance parts website and enter the model number. They also have the parts diagram online which you can use. They had the rotor part in stock and it cost less than the service call. Your costs may differ from mine.
Good Luck
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