How to Troubleshoot & Replace Samsung AP4204358 / DC62-00156A Washer Tub Seal

Google is your friend. Appliancepartspros is your friend too!! I used the diagnostics to see why my 6 year old Samsung front loader makes a strange noise followed by a bad smell after it attempts the spin cycle. I used the manual that's taped to the back of the unit to put it in service mode, this helped me discover 2 things; My stay-at-home wife is not lying, she does a ton of laundry (over 4000 washes since we got the washer) AND it gets almost up to 700 rpms in the spin cycle and then shuts off and then tries again and again. I found a few videos that described the problem perfectly, the spider arm basically disintegrates and the tub wobbles all over the place. Great design Samsung... Most videos said the washer is now garbage, pro repair was over $400. I knew I could fix it myself and I found the parts on Appliancepartspros.com including a video that showed the entire process. I am very handy and after watching the video, I tore it down in under 45mins, it was like I already did it before and knew exactly what I was doing. Even my wife was impressed, and that is no easy feat. I needed a new spider and 6 new bolts for under $150 shipped. I chose to get a tub washer and seal too, for an extra $20 it was just sensible to get. I used standard tools including a 10mm, 13mm, and 19mm socket plus basic tools. Reassembly was not bad and I didn't even have any extra parts ;-). I spent most of the time cleaning out the nastiness from 6 years of use. It runs like new and we cancelled the order for a new washer and dryer. $2300 back in my pocket !!! You do have to tear the washer all the way down. This was very easy for me, but some people that do not do stuff like this could find it quite challenging. Please check all the hoses and connections after reassembly. I forgot one hose and watched the first cycle clean my floor. Actually, I guess I cleaned it as I sopped up the water... I hope this helps, Happy fixing! Samsung, if you are reading this, please fire the engineer that decided to use that self destructing metal. You should probably fire the engineer that recently designed the latest exploding washer that just got recalled too. 

The diagnosis was a deteriorated Spider Arm Assembly on a Samsung Washing Machine, Model WF338AAB/XAA We noticed instability during spin cycles a couple weeks prior and it progressively got worst. While still functional enough to do laundry, the vibrations just got so bad and then it happened. Hearing words like " The machine "ATTACKED" me made me smile at first, but truth be told, this could have been very dangerous. This machine was made around 2008. It's a front loader. By comparison, the top loaders by Samsung were almost identical as far as internal parts and components. The only real difference was the orientation. And top loaders from the same time period were recalled with some owners claiming their machine actually exploded. I think recalls numbered in the millions if memory serves me. It took about 30-40 minutes to tear it down, and I saw the pieces of the spider arm and all the debris inside the drum casing. I ordered the parts and opted for overnight shipping. I got the delivery, and jumped on it. Cannot be without a washer. This job, although not difficult, was a time consuming process since I cleaned all parts inside and out, making the machine look new again. This put more time on re-assembly but it was so worth it. I was excited to see the spin cycle test run smoothly. I really saved a lot of money. Even today, the same machine is selling used/like new for close to $1000. I wouldn't buy it again for that price, especially due to it's obsolescence. But it is a great machine worth repairing. When it was all said and done, I spent about $180 on the spider arm, the rear tub seal and 6 new spider arm bolts. And it ran like a champ. The toughest part was removing the drum from the struts and re-installing it again. I did it with a rope over a 4" drain pipe in the basement, and hoisted it up. This part should be done with a second set of hands but other than this, pretty easy for one man to handle hose and wire connections as well as removing related parts. Thanks goes to Appliance Pros for having parts on hand and the speedy delivery.They have the complete tear down and rebuild video for this repair for anyone considering it. I watched it once and it spelled things out so well, I didn't even have to refer to it again. Great stuff. Truly a good experience 

First I asked uncle Google who pointed me to various chat boards etc. that all pretty much suggested the washer had either a bearing problem or spider arm problem. Next game good ole YouTube to find out what the heck a spider arm, where it was located, and how to get it out of the washer. I stumbled across an appliancepartspros.com video that showed the process step by step. While the model and year of the washer was different, it was fantastic. After the video, I called appliancepartspros.com and spoke to their technical experts. This guy was a rock star. He advised me on the accuracy of my assumptions as to the problem, what parts I would likely need, pricing and an ETA shipping date. I didn't order the parts then because I still needed to take the machine apart to ensure what all parts I was going to need. Once I had it torn apart - about 2 hours - I found the damaged part and sure enough, it was the spider arm. The next day, I called them back and ordered the spider arm, bolts and they convinced me to replace the rear tub seal too to prevent any possibility of leaking. I paid for normal shipping (about $10) and the parts arrived in 2 days. I put the new parts in, reassembled the machine, and prayed as I ran a test cycle. I am pleased to report that the machine performed great and has been doing loads of laundry daily since the repair with no problems. I have no doubt that I could not have done this without appliancepartspros.com EVERYONE was very polite, helpful, and courteous. 

Since the Tub is Stainless Steel and the Spider is an electrically inferior alloy, Galvanic corrosion will inevitably deteriorate the Spider/Flange to the point of failure. My solution was to bead blast and bake on an epoxy coating to the replacement Spider/Flange to minimize the bimetallic corrosion of this electrically inferior alloy since this is what Samsung is still utilizing. I found the video series done by AppliancePartsPros.com especially well crafted and is in fact why I chose to buy the parts needed from them. I was also impressed with the staff interaction when I called to place my order. The parts arrived packed well and on time. I certainly recommend watching the instructional video for your appliance. 

Ordered new spider and associated parts from you guys. Rather than install spider which was bare aluminum I coated the entire unit except spindle with 3 coats of epoxy paint. cleaned the drum and water tub the minor scratches in the front drum I filled with two part epoxy and leveled. Checked rear bearing which were ok, but if you need them they are availible from bearings direct on line 6307zz interior bearing and 6306zz exterior bearing cost 21.00 including shipping. Assembly was reverse of tear down which you guys provided on a excellant video. I was a little perturbed with Samsung as to the design of the support spider but I expext to get another 7 plus years out of this machine. With the cycle counter we were on our 3196 load and a family of 6 or 1.25 loads per day. I had a pair of Asko that were 15 years old and are still being used by my middle daughter. I guess I will go back to Asko when i scrap the Samsung set and use the motor for a wind generator. Took right at 2.5 hours disassembly and reassembly. another hour to clean the parts a day for the paint to dry. Bill C 

Followed the excellent videos provided by AppliancePartsPros. Made a multi step repair, if not simple, then extremely less complicated. Loved the way they showed the step by step disassembly as well as the step by step reassembly. Great videos. Got the right parts the first time and very fast delivery. Can’t say enough good things about AppliancePartsPros.com 

After I watched the repair video I was confident that I could do the repair myself. The video was very explanatory and very helpful. Everything when well and the repair was a success. Parts arrived right on time with the tracking. Definitely would use this resource again. 

Watched the videos on Youtube on Samsung Washers like mine and determined that my machine had the same defect that effects many front loads, especially Samsung. Called manufacture to no avail. Found APP.Com website, watched disassembly video, got confidence that I could do the job, ordered parts. Meanwhile, I tore down the machine in preparation for the new parts and found as expected a cracked Assy-Flange (or Spider,as it is referred to online). Samsung has a manufacturing defect: they mix stainless steel and aluminum in this part which results in excessive corrosion and one leg ultimately gives way and, cracks and breaks (see videos online). Anyway, received and installed the part along with a rear tub seal (mine was ok, but didn't want to take a chance). Machine runs like new. Note: if you have a Samsung, you will need to do this every 6-7 years, so learn how to do it. Labor intensive, but not hard to do. Took me 6 hours total. Be sure to label all parts, especially screws, bolts and you will have no problem. Appliance Parts Pro staff were also very helpful, excellent service, delivery and followup! Thanks APP. 

Replaced all the parts above plus all four shock absorbers 

After viewing your awesome video on YouTube, i was able to pull my machine apart and see the issue. After the problem was found, I used your website to order up the parts. A part was back ordered way out and your team let me know. Your customer service team did an outstanding job, even over the Christmas/ New Years Holiday, with assisting me. They where top notch! My machine is now repaired and working great. I couldn't have done it without your team!