After a 3E error code was reported to the resident appliance repair man (me), I checked the washer. I found that the drum was not rotating smoothly. Using my internet sleuthing skills, I found that it is a common defect of Samsung (and apparently most front loaders) for the spider shaft assembly to disintegrate and fail. Using the well produced video by AppliancPartsPros.com, I proceeded to disassemble the washer to confirm the diagnosis. Sure enough, the shaft assembly had failed.
I ordered the shaft assembly, tub seal, shaft seal and bolts. Unfortunately, upon reassembly I found that the damaged spider caused the drum to fall into the front tub and rip a hole in the tub. I ordered the tub, also from AppliancePartsPros.com but through a third-party. The new tub arrived two days later. I quickly reassembled the washer just in time for my daughter to arrive from college break with a load of laundry! Five loads down, and the machine is still working!
I'm super happy with my experience with AppliancePartsPros.com. The schematics, quick shipping, video resources keeps my household up and running. Also, it saves me from having to prematurely buy a new appliance and send my old ones to the landfill.
I AM NOT HAPPY with Samsung. Either this company does not know how to properly engineer a product (e.g. using dissimilar materials in critical components), or is an unethical, environmentally-unfriendly sham. Besides the washer, I also own a dryer and refrigerator by Samsung. They seem plagued by continuing breakdowns or breaking parts. To compound issues, it appears that Samsung quickly drops part support for models that aren't even 5-10 years old. I'm tired of the trend of disposable products and will look elsewhere besides Samsung next time.