How to Replace the Shock Absorbers in a Duet Washer

Unplug the washing machine and turn off the water supply at the shut-off valve. Remove both inlet hoses and the drain hose. The hot and cold water inlet hoses can be unscrewed from the back of the appliance using pliers for extra grip. Remove the screws surrounding the drain hose connection to remove the hose from the back panel.

Remove the three screws at the front of the washer below the toe panel. Pull the panel out and downward to remove. Next, move around the back of the washing machine and remove the thirteen screws holding the back panel in place. Move the rear panel to one side when it detaches from the appliance. The shock absorbers are now visible at the front and back.

Locate the collection of wires running near the bottom of the appliance in the back right corner. Use needle-nose pliers to pull the plastic harness carrying the wires away from the frame of the washer. Detach the green ground wire from the washer and pinch the tabs of the microswitch in the bottom right corner of the appliance. Pull the microswitch up, then move the entire collection of wires out of the way.

Remove the damaged shock absorber by gripping the upper mount where it is held to the drum and turning 90 degrees counterclockwise. Repeat for the lower mount to fully remove the shock. Repeat the process for each damaged shock.

Put the new shock absorber in position with the thickest end at the top, nearest the drum. The thin end of the shock, the part that is compressed when it is placed under load, goes at the bottom. Twist the mount 90 degrees clockwise to attach it to the drum; repeat the process at the bottom of the shock. Attach all other shocks using the same method.

Reattach the collection of wires in the bottom left corner of the appliance by clipping the microswitch back in position. Reattach the green ground wire to the frame. Put the toe panel back in place at the front of the washer and replace the screws.

Screw the rear panel back onto the back of the appliance and tighten the hot and cold water inlet hoses back in place. Screw the drain hose back in position and plug the appliance back in.