How to Troubleshoot & Replace Samsung AP4212809 / DC69-00804A Washer Tub Seal

I had to completely disassemble the machine to replace the parts. The job took 2 1/2 hours total. 

It took a lot of dismantling to get to the problem but all and all it took a lot of work rough cost $200. 00 If you are mechanically inclined you should be fine. All the parts were great. The people at Appliance parts Pro were great to work with excellent customer service. 

Called a repair person...they told me it was probably a "bent" tub and that for them to repair it would be around $500. So I figured I'd buy a new washer. But first..I decided to do some online investigating and found a great repair video from this site. I spent about 2 hours taking my washer apart to find a broken spider arm. I ordered parts for about $145. They came in 2 days. Took me about another 2 hours to put the washer back together and now it's working just fine. It's a little time consuming...mainly just following the video and starting and stopping so many times to make sure I had everything done correctly. A couple bolts stripped on my outer tub..I was able to replace with some I had and seemed to be fine. 

Thankfully Google quickly pointed me at lots of sites that told me the spider will corrode out in time, and I found the extremely helpful videos provided by Appliance Parts Pros. With the video guidance, I took things apart first to confirm exactly what was broken, and sure enough the spindle had completely separated from the spider, hence no rotation! It turned out that the rotating drum had obviously been rubbing on the plastic drum for some time, because when we separate the two halves of the plastic drum the front had rubbed all the way through. So we needed a new front half of the drum as well. Just as well those are available. I suspect next time this happens (7 or 8 years I suppose) none of the parts will be available. Overall it took about 2 hours to take things apart, and about the same to put to back together again. Nothing too difficult; just fiddly. 

Replaced the spider arm assembly and the tub seal. BOLTS FOR THE SPIDER ARM ARE NOT INCLUDED. Make sure you order them. The original bolts all broke off when trying to remove them due to excessive corrosion. Spider arm also was weakened by corrosion. Third time I have had this failure on 3 different machines. Poor design IMHO. 

I disassembled the unit using the AppliancePartsPros videos as a guide to build my confidence that I could do so. Thank you folks for providing that service to us do-it-yourselfers! I found the leaky drain hose which had developed a pinhole, I also had another very small leak that I could not locate, possibly around the door boot seal. Knowing I couldn't locate that leak I ordered all of the gaskets and replaced them, including the tub seal. This was very easy to do, and I'd recommend it to anyone trying to extend the life of their washer. I had suspected a broken spider initially, due to the sounds the washer made during spin cycles, but as I disassembled the tub and drum assemblies, the spider was in great shape (10-year old unit). I decided to replace the shock absorbers and dampeners for good measure. Wow, what a difference. It runs like it did when we bought it. No leaks, and the drum stays well balanced throughout the cycle, it doesn't vibrate anymore or knock. You can hardly tell it's running, actually. The parts can be found cheaper elsewhere, but for the service and confidence that APP.com provides it's a small price to pay for what they've done for us and I commend that. 

After COMPLETELY dismantling my washer and finding the problem I ordered the necessary parts which came right away. The reassembly was not as difficult as I assumed. Washer works great. SAMSUNG is given a FAILURE in design. Electrolysis was the problem and the parts should have never been manufactured using the materials they used. Make sure you order the bolts for the parts because they do not come with new ones. The original bolts all broke on removal (Assy Flange Shaft) 

Tore washer apart, after watching several videos on web (good ones at Appliance Parts Pros, which I found when ordering parts). Thought it was the spider flange broken based on others stories, which ended up being the problem. Mine was just cracked, causing asymmetrical drum spin, so I caught it before any catastrophic damage which would have led me to buy a new washer instead of fixing. Bought the 6 bolts too, because one broke during removal and I figured I would just replace all 6. Bought new seal because a small rubber piece sliced off when the drum spun against the tub, but probably could have kept the old one as the important sealing part was still intact. Figured I saved $600 by doing it myself and not buying a new one. I can't believe Samsung would use an inferior aluminum to fabricate this spider bracket which breaks down when in contact with bleach. If made out of stainless steel, or even powder coated the bracket their washers would last much longer :( 

Tar down completely, install a new door gasket, flange shaft assembly, tub seal, center tub seal, and while at it I replaced the drain pump. With the video that Appliancepartspros I was able to complete the repair without messing up THE WASHER WORKS GREAT NOW. 

I got new spider arm, bolts, and tub seal. The old bolts on my 10 year old washer were stuck in the old arm and stripping when I tried to use a socket. I had to use an angle grinder to cut the spider arm and bolts. I could then get the bolts out since they were not sticking all the way into the arm. I appreciate the service this site offers and think it is an environmentally friendly mission to encourage people to repair their appliances. My washer was just fine except for spider arm and now it runs like new. The videos were thorough and clear. Thanks appliancepartspros.com!