How to Troubleshoot & Replace Whirlpool AP4024203 / 203956 Washer Damper Pad Kit

I ordered the damper pad repair kit and high temp adhesive. I disassembled the washer, taking time to clean and inspect the entire washer. Replaced the damper pads as instructed (with a few helpful hints from The Appliance Parts Pros - Joe Martin) and then centered my washer tub. She runs like a top now. Thanks Joe ! 

A damper kit was recommended by this websites search engine. It was 3 felt strips and some maytag lubricant. The directions with the packaging were clear and it's hard to believe but after replacing those three felt pads, the washer runs smooth again with no more jumping around. 

Before I took it apart I thought it had a broken tub tensioner spring. After some research, I thought it might be worn damper pads. Upon disassembly I found the springs and pads intact, pretty amazing for a 25 year old machine. All I did was re-lubricate the pads and put everything back together and give the spring adjusters a half a turn more tension. Test ran two loads and it ran perfect. As a side note, the springs that came and were supposed to be for my machine were too short, smaller in diameter and much stiffer. I did not use them as I felt the extra tension, even if I was able to install them, would have put undue wear on the existing damper pads. 

Here's the story. All my appliances except the dryer broke. Yeah. talk about bad luck. First I tried to fix the refrigerator. Replaced both motherboard and inverter board. Now it wakes up but the compressor does not kick in. Need another part. The washer, well I have to pull out the sink to get enough room to pull out the washer to fix it. Since the refriigerator is still in the middle of the kitchen, I don't need to tear apart another room. Nevertheless, let me say this, I love my "older" appliances and I am not ready to give up. Tearing apart the washer on a Saturday afternoon is just fun to me. So far all I did was replace an inlet device I bought a while ago. I need to replace the injector hose yet but the leaking is almost gone. But the great thing about appliance parts pros is they keep the model # on record. It was long gone off of my Maytag when I first needed a part and I had to do some internet research to figure out a reasonable guess and what I ordered fit so, yay! I'll just tell the other customers; do it! My kids watched me fix stuff in their growing up years. One tore apart his bathroom to remodel it. The other graduated from engineering school. I'd say one repair begets 3 successes. Buy the way, I also needed a mirror to see behind the machine.and the 2 hours was mostly climbing around the sink to get behind the washer. 

Replaced damper pads as shown on troubleshooting page. 

Replaced the tub bearing and seal Your videos are the best. There were no surprises Diagnosis help, a complete list of parts, fast shipping, reasonable parts price, good order communication complete with installation video on the invoice for each part ordered. You guys have it figured out, Thanks for your help. My washer is good for another 20 year’s now. If not I know who to get my parts from. 

I ordered a damper kit which arrived very quickly with instructions and in 1 hour had the washer fixed. We used it the next day and it spun like new! Putting a 4x4 block under the pulley to support the tub worked great! 

A box of quality parts, Saturday morning, cup of coffee and some good YouTube videos. And we have a 30-year-old washer running like new again. Just a good day. 

I ordered the recommended parts as per the trouble shooting list and used the instructions from the video. The instructional videos are great , thank you for making them. The special break removal tool recommended in the video is no longer available and a tool is definetly required to remove the assembly. I was fortunate to have a big ajustable metal wrench to remove my cartrides in my RO system, which I could use. Regardless it was quite difficult to remove the break assembly and the new one could not be screwed in by hand as shown on the video. I did put everything together but forgot to change the damper pads so I had to redo the work a second time. The whole process took several hours, but now the machine is working great. Saved me from having to by a new one 

The video on the web page helped me diagnose. It showed step by step on how to take the washing machine apart. Took 30 minutes and was really easy to follow. Purchased the parts from AppliancePartsPros.com Parts were sent FedEx, so got them the next day. Installed parts and now washing machine is like new, as it was in 1989. Much better than washers today which are all junk. Parts are of good quality. Got the friction pads, the main bearing, and the belts that fit properly. Running like a charm now. Their video saved me a new trashy washing machine. Highly recommended. Thanks.