How to Troubleshoot & Replace Samsung AP4203183 / DC60-40137A Washer Spider Bolt

Replaced commonly fractured inner tub flange shaft (aka; spider). Also replaced the seal on the outer tub at the shaft bearings, and the large O-Ring between the two outer tub halves. Note that when replacing the spider, new bolts should be ordered as 4 out of the 6 snapped off when I attempted to remove them. I painted the new spider with two coats of POR-15 paint to hopefully minimize the corrosion that takes place with the pot metal used to cast this part. If I had more time I would of had it powder coated. 

I researched the issue online and found multiple sources stating the same cause of my washers particular, and apparently common, issue. With some patience and mechanical skill, I'm a diesel technician, I decided to take the washer apart and see what was broke. I found the tub support spider was broken in three pieces. Appliancepartspros.com even had a repair video for this issue which was very helpful! 

Disassembled the entire machine to find that the aluminum "spider" had disintegrated so that the stainless steel basket was loose inside the plastic tub. I could remove chunks of the "spider" with my fingers and it broke apart easily. The machine is exactly 5 years old with about 5 loads per week usage. I suspect the liquid laundry detergent (Tide HE) helped to cause the severe corrosion of the "spider". I spray painted the new "spider" with rubberized undercoating made by Rust-oleum. I had to replace 2 spider bolts that twisted off during removal. The seal and bearings were good so I did not replace those parts. Took 6 hours to take apart including rigging a "come-along" to the garage ceiling to hoist up the tub for spring removal. Spent 5 easy hours putting it back together. The machine runs fine but I'm not going to use the highest spin speed anymore. Hopefully it will run another 5 years but even 2 years will be worth it. So I saved about $800 from buying a new front load washing machine (with drawer platform base) that would probably not last 5 years. Samsung makes short lived products. I just repaired 3 Samsung flat screen televisions that would have been trashed. 2 were less than 3 years old. Unfortunately other companies are not much better. 

Watched a YouTube video of yours on possible cause of problem. After watching video on how to take washer apart , I realized the problem and could repair myself if I could find the parts. Appliance parts pro had all the needed items( spider assembly arm and all gaskets, and seals). I was not sure of being able to repair but after watching the video and live chatting with your representative it became a project to look forward too. Washing machine was down only 5 days from breakdown till repaired with appliance parts pro expediting the shipment (3days) 3 hours for tear down and cleaning, 2 hours to assamble with new parts. Thank you much for the instructional videos, I probably would not have attempted without watching them. Fred B. 

Ordered new parts, took about 2 hours to take apart. Fast shipping received the new parts in less than 24 hours. Replaced the spider shafts and bolts. Runs like new, very quiet. 

Thanks, for your answer/help, i also watched a video you guys put on U-Tube on replacing the Flange Shaft (spider bracket). It helped a lot. The job is time consuming (about six hours total) the video show every step from dismantle to assembling the washer. The touches part of the job is handling the washer tub, it is a bit heavy. I'm glad i did the job, saved me $300..00 + from buying a new washing machine. You guys a great Thanks again. 

Replacement of cracked “Flange Shaft Assembly”. The first sign of the problem was clothes were very wet after washing completed, we started adding an extra “spin cycle” after every wash to help wring out the water, (now realized this compounded the problem) I feel 11 years is not too bad, seeing this was the only problem we have experienced. Being able to watch the videos provided by Appliance Parts Pros convinced me to complete repairs myself, very well done. 

Replaced flange shaft assembly. 

WATCHED THE VIDEO REPAIR SEVERAL TIMES AND THEN DECIDED TO TRY MY LUCK. THERE WERE A FEW THINGS I DID ADD, ONE IMPORTANT ONE WAS USE MASKING TAPE FOR THE SCREWS THEN LABEL THEM AS TO WHERE THEY GO. SUCCESS, EVERYTHING WENT BACK PERFECTLY. NO EXTRA PARTS, NO EXTRA SCREWS. 

Disassembled machine and found that the spider assembly had corroded so bad that it had two arms broken off. While disassembling, had one problem and that was removing the single bolt that holds the motor to spider shaft. I had to build a holding tool to remove the bolt. Replaced the spider and reassembled.