Shock/dampener for Samsung front loader washing machine (a little technical)?

[lkaskel]

Hi Everyone,

I have a 5 year old front loader and had the issue of the washer not completing the spin cycle.  After a lot of reserch I came to the conclusion that the shocks/dampeners were bad and I purchased a set of 4 from Amazon.  I have no great expectations with the ones I bought but wanted to see if that solved the problem.  They did, for now.  Part numbers DC66-00470A (front) and DC66-00470B (rear).  Now the technical-ish question.  All 4 original shocks have a condition where the piston moves freely for about 1/2" before it hit resistance.  The replacements have resistance throughout its travel.  Logic tells me that there should not be any free travel and that is why they are bad but I am unsure if the Samsung branded ones have this travel when new or not.  Can anyone tell me if they know that answer?  I did take one of the Samsung shocks apart and they are VERY basic in design.  There is a white plastic insert that has the seal in it.  This piece is the one that causes the resistance but the white plastic piece moves up and down in the shock housing and that is the free movement.  When it reaches the top or bottom of the shock housing the seal still causes the same level resistance of the replacement shocks.  I do have a thought about how I could modify the original one to have no play but really want to know what one is like as new.  Can anyone answer that for me?

[lkaskel]

Ok, so I am spending some more time here on this shock issue.  I do have 2 of them apart and it really does seem that they are designed to have some movement in them up and down before the shock shaft reaches resistance.  I would love it if someone on here could confirm this.  The resistance is created by a felt like ring that grips the shock shaft.  The ring is still plyable and does create a lot of resistance so I don't believe that this is the issue.  Any thoughts from anyone?

[DxMotox]

Hi. I'd like to buy those shocks, not from Samsung but from the original manufacturer that makes them for Samsung. Could you tell me if there is any brand on the ones you have?

[AndrewKei]

I agree that the shocks should have NO freeplay. I bought replacments and they had freeplay, I sent them back and ordered from a doifferent source and they ALSO had freeplay.

Where did you get the replacements that did not have freeplay (~1/2" or 12mm) ???

THanks, Andrew

[lkaskel]

I bought a set of 4 from Amazon.  The good news is that they worked perfectly right away so that proved the diagnosis.  The bad part is that they only lasted about 3 weeks and now they have play amd the washer is not spinning right again.  I had read the reviews on Amazon and knew that they would likely not last long based on bad reviews but it was the only way to veryify the issue.  My problem is really with Sansung now.  The factory replacement shocks from Samsung will cost over $300 shipped.  I paid $749 for the washer on sale.  The fact that they want about 40% of the total cost of the washer for just the shocks is absurd and now I am looking at a new non-Samsung washer.  I am asking myself the question "when do you walk away from a manufacturer all together"?  I had purchased a number of Samsung products and all of them (exept for my TV) has issues.  I feel like there are no good major products made anymore.  I know thats kind of dramatic but I am frustrated at this point.  I'm 60 and I can say that my 1st set of major appliances I purchased 40 years ago when I got married were all used and they worked great and lasted a long time.  Now, who knows.....

Best of luck Andrew!!!

[lkaskel · Accepted solution]

As a closure to this issue, the Samsung washer is now in the landfil.  What a shame!!!!!!  When an owner is faced with a choice of buying new shocks from Samsung at 40%-50% of the cost of a new washer you are left with no choice but be wise with your money and invest in a new washer.  In this case it was not a Samsung.  Actually, after 3 washers I have given up on Samsung as it is VERY obvious that they do not care about thier customers.  To put all of this in perspective, I can buy 4 new shocks for my full size pickup truck for less that I can buy these cheap plastic shocks.  Yep, Samsung is only interested in new product sales and are not interetsed in manufacturing a quality product or fairly priced replacement parts.  Good by Samsung.

[DxMotox]

Hi, I purchased a pack of 4 from Amazon but they are **bleep**, so I was planning to get the oem pack from Samsung but then realized how expensive they are. Then, I started thinking, what if I can get them from the original manufacturer. Only I don't have the original Samsung part. Does anyone know which manufacturer is making those shocks? I'm pretty sure is not Samsung but a third party.

[lkaskel]

Sorry to say that threw them away with the washer.  I do remember that there not many marking on them to lead you to a manufacturer.

Sorry about that!!