bending a new hook on a spring

[msaunders]

Perhaps this is the one, if Richard cannot supply one.

http://www.repairclinic.com/PartDeta...d111988&mr= 1

Fortunately I only live a couple miles away from their location so I do not have to pay shipping when I need parts.

[FrankJ]

The trick will be bending it. The straight portion has not been plastically deformed so it should have all of its ductility left. Putting the same radius bend as the original hook shouldn't break it.

[Richard Wallace]

After some searching I have found two springs. One is stronger than the other (thicker wire). See attached. Is one of them a match for yours?

[Ether]

Originally Posted by Richard Wallace

After some searching I have found two springs. One is stronger than the other (thicker wire). See attached. Is one of them a match for yours?

I had to put the machine back in service temporarily for the weekend laundry.

I'll open it up early next week and put the calipers on the wire.

Thanks.

[Michael Hill]

Originally Posted by Richard Wallace

After some searching I have found two springs. One is stronger than the other (thicker wire). See attached. Is one of them a match for yours?

I don't mean to be daft, but how does a single model of washer get associated with two nearly identical springs where the only difference is 0.2mm in diameter? Is it the same part, just for a later model after fixing something? Are parts in washing machines so fickle they can't be interchanged with each other?

[Ether]

Originally Posted by Michael Hill

I don't mean to be daft, but how does a single model of washer get associated with two nearly identical springs where the only difference is 0.2mm in diameter?

That's not the way I interpreted it.

The two springs Richard found are unmarked and he wants to know which is the correct one for my washer.

I assumed the other spring is for a washer with a lighter (smaller) or heavier (larger) tub.

[Michael Hill]

Originally Posted by Ether

That's not the way I interpreted it.

The two springs Richard found are unmarked and he wants to know which is the correct one for my washer.

I assumed the other spring is for a washer with a lighter (smaller) or heavier (larger) tub.

Gotcha. I assumed he looked it up in some database and both were returned as possible.

[Richard Wallace]

Originally Posted by Ether

I assumed the other spring is for a washer with a lighter (smaller) or heavier (larger) tub.

This is correct. However, the question is a very good one.

The washers that used these springs have not been produced for several years now. The older washer design had several variations, using at least a dozen different motors of varying speed and power ratings. Because the range of weights of those motors, different suspension spring forces were required.

More recent washer designs (since ~2010) use smaller, more efficient motors, and their suspension systems are completely different. They also hold more laundry, and consume less water and energy, compared to the older designs.

Originally Posted by gblake

On the other hand, that ductility might mean that the metal you bend won't stay bent.

Having used these springs in several experimental situations, and bent their straight segments into various configurations, I can confirm that this is also correct.

[gblake]

Originally Posted by FrankJ

The trick will be bending it. The straight portion has not been plastically deformed so it should have all of its ductility left. Putting the same radius bend as the original hook shouldn't break it.

On the other hand, that ductility might mean that the metal you bend won't stay bent.