Samsung Front Load Washer Spider Arm Assembly DC97-17004B Replacement

Is your Samsung washer noisier than usual or vibrating excessively? This could mean trouble with the spider arm assembly, a crucial component for drum stability. Below, we’ve got an easy-to-follow how-to video that walks you through replacing the spider arm assembly, so you can fix your washer and bring it back to quiet, reliable performance.

Looking for the right part? Enter your appliance model number below to find the exact match and get your appliance running like new again!

If your Samsung washer starts making too much noise or vibrating, it’s a sign to inspect its spider arm assembly closely. This vital part of your washer guarantees the drum runs smoothly and stays stable. Our detailed guide will lead you through replacing the spider arm assembly on your Samsung washer, empowering you to handle the task with assurance.

The information in this article may not apply to your specific appliance model. We recommend consulting your manufacturer’s documentation or contact us with any questions.

WATCH: How to replace a Samsung spider arm 

Why is the spider arm important?

If your Samsung washer starts making too much noise or vibrating, it’s a sign to inspect its spider arm assembly closely. This vital part of your washer guarantees the drum runs smoothly and stays stable. Our detailed guide will lead you through replacing the spider arm assembly on your Samsung washer, empowering you to handle the task with assurance.

Safety first

When working on any appliance, remember to keep safety first. Here are some tips to keep in mind: 

• Always power off and unplug your appliance or switch off the circuit breaker before you attempt any maintenance or replacement work. This keeps you safe by preventing any risk of electric shock. 
• If the appliance has recently been used, give it plenty of time to cool down before working on it. 
• Take your time while working to prevent accidents and personal injuries. Rushing is the enemy of precision.
• Work in a well-lit area so you can clearly see and access appliance parts.
• Keep your workspace free of clutter and other obstacles. Keep children and pets away from the work area.
• Never work on internal parts with wet hands. Make sure the work area is completely dry.
• Check the user manual to see if there are specific installation or safety instructions related to your appliance or replacement part. 
• Be gentle when handling or removing parts. Excessive force might damage the appliance or cause personal injury.
• Wear insulated work gloves to protect your hands from sharp metal parts and debris.
• When working with wires, avoid touching any exposed wires or terminals. If you need to touch a wire, use a non-conductive tool or wear insulating gloves to prevent electrical shock.
• Consider wearing safety glasses and/or a dust mask when working with chemicals, dust or a large amount of debris to prevent irritation or injury.
• Turn off the water supply at the outlet before beginning repairs. Keep towels ready to catch any residual water in the system when removing parts.

Tools and materials needed

Gather the following equipment before starting:

•  5/16 inch nut driver
• Phillips screwdriver
• Flathead screwdriver
• Socket wrench and socket extensions (10, 13, and 19 mm sockets)
• Pliers
• Vise grips 
• Penetrating oil
• Hammer 
• Replacement spider arm part #DC97-17004B– Take your model number to AppliancePartsPros.com to locate the correct part for your unit.
• Gloves 
• Rags
• Woodblock 

Step-by-step spider arm replacement

Follow these key steps to safely remove the failing spider arm and install the new replacement:

Step 1- Remove the top panel

1. Use your 5/16-inch nut driver to remove the two screws located at the back of the top panel. 
2. Once the screws are out, slide the panel back and lift it off the washer. This will provide access to the inner workings of your washing machine.

Step 2- Take out the dispenser drawer and control panel

1. Begin by pulling out the dispenser drawer.
2. Press down on the tab to remove it completely.
3. With a Phillips screwdriver, remove the three screws holding the dispenser housing in place. Once removed, slide it out of the control panel.
4. Lift the top edge of the control panel to release the clips, then carefully peel it forward to disconnect the bottom clips.
5. Don’t forget to unplug the wire connector before removing the control panel entirely.

Step 3- Drain the water and remove the pump filter

1. Place a towel under the door to catch any potential water spills.
2. Use a flathead screwdriver to press the tab and open the door.
3. Remove the drain pump hose and place it in a container to drain any remaining water.
4. After draining, replace the cap and remove the towel and container.
5. Now, use a flat-blade screwdriver to remove the pump filter housing.

Step 4- Remove the front panel

1. Begin by using a Phillips screwdriver to remove the screws securing the front panel to the hinges.
2. Open the door, and carefully pry off the door boot seal. Once removed from the groove, set it aside.
3. Remove the door latch assembly, taking out any remaining screws in the front panel.
4. Now, lift the panel off the hinges and set it aside.

Step 5- Tilt the washer and remove hoses

1. Use pliers to remove the drain hoses carefully. Make sure you don’t damage the hoses during removal.
2. Proceed to remove the counterweight bolts using your socket wrench.
3. To make the washer more accessible, tilt it back on the supports.
4. Remove the air hose and tubing carefully.
5. Next, remove the motor stator, rotor, and motor shield, disconnecting all wiring.

Step 6- Remove the shock absorbers and tub springs

1. Use your socket wrench to remove the bolts securing the front and rear shock absorbers. These need to be detached carefully.
2. Remove the tub air hose and vent hose.
3. Release the tub springs from their brackets. Take your time to make sure everything is disconnected properly.
4. Carefully lift the tub out of the cabinet, making sure not to damage any components in the process.

Step 7- Separate and Remove tub components

1. Begin by removing the bolts located around the outer tub halves using your socket wrench. Once removed, separate and take off the top half of the outer tub.
2. To access the spider arm assembly, rock the inner basket gently and pull it down to remove it from the washer.
3. Using a hammer, knock out the spider arm assembly bolts, and pry off the old spider arm.

Step 8- Install the new spider arm

1. Before installing the new spider arm, take a moment to clean out the inner basket thoroughly. Make sure that any bent mounting holes are straightened.
2. Apply thread lock liquid to the new spider arm bolts. This helps ensure the bolts remain securely in place.
3. Match the holes on the inner basket with those on the new spider arm and install the new spider arm carefully.

Step 9- Reassemble the washer

1. Reinstall the inner basket into the outer tub.
2. Reattach the outer tub halves using the bolts you removed earlier.
3. Lift the tub back into the cabinet, rehanging it on the springs securely.
4. Reattach all hoses, wires, shocks, panels, and other components that you removed during the disassembly process.
5. Run a test cycle and check for:

• Excess noise/vibration, confirm the arm makes solid contact with no gaps between it and the basket. Lubricate shaft ends.
• Water leaking, check the seal between the inner and outer tub for gaps or damage.

More information

Thanks for reading! We hope this guide helped you replace the spider arm in your Samsung washer. 

If you still need some replacement parts, grab your model number and head over to AppliancePartsPros.com. We offer over two million parts and most orders arrive in two business days. If you need some help with finding the right part or placing an order, you can contact our team at 1 (877) 477-7278.

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