I have a portable machine I bought second-hand in 2001 and have had to do a little maintenance other than clean the filters. However, in the past few years, there has been some water on the floor (usually less than 4oz) and the machine was becoming significantly noisier during the drain cycle. Also, the detergent residue has been increasing... The combination of issues leads me to replace the entire motor/pump assembly. While I was at it, I thought I should be prepared to replace the inlet sump, and pump connector, however, I could not remove the spray arm to replace the pump connector as I was concerned with too much force breaking the plastic, but the connector otherwise seemed to be in fair shape so I passed on that replacement (The insert for a screwdriver to leverage the release faced the back of the tub. Even with the machine upside down and entering through the sump opening, it would not move. I could not locate a replacement spray arm/assembly for my model and decided I'd better not break the plastic!).
The machine is so much quieter than I ever remembered it being!
This was not my first diy rodeo, but I am also by no means an expert. The repair was relatively easy. GE's instructions/diagrams require some power of deduction, but APP's instructional videos are excellent companions!